Wer hätte das gedacht - little known facts about Germany - Totally Random

🇩🇪 While standard German is the official language, the country boasts 35 different dialects.  🇩🇪 The tradition of having a Christmas tree was started in Germany 🇩🇪 Our ex-Chancellor, Angela Merkel, has a Barbie doll created after her. 🇩🇪 Donaudampfschifffahrtselektrizitätenhauptbetriebswerkbauunterbeamtengesellschaft is the longest German word published - it’s 79 letters long! 🇩🇪 You’ll find the world’s narrowest street in the German city of Reutlingen, at its narrowest point it’s only 31 cm (one foot) wide 🇩🇪 Currywurst, a popular German street food, has its own museum in Berlin.  🇩🇪 Escaping prison in Germany isn’t illegal because it’s a basic human instinct to want to be free 🇩🇪 Some laws determine what you can name your baby in Germany - the law bans names that don’t denote a gender or use a family name as the first name 🇩🇪 When children start school in Germany, they receive a Schultüte, which is a cone of presents that helps to ease the stress of entering a new, serious life 🇩🇪 Even though it’s called Oktoberfest, the festival actually starts in September!  🇩🇪 It's considered bad luck to wish someone a happy birthday before the actual day in Germany.  🇩🇪 Reutlingen is home to Spreuerhofstrasse, the world's narrowest street, measuring just 31cm wide at its narrowest point.  Sources: the Internet image: iStock

 

Generative AI is getting heated!

AI is artificial, meaning it does not have a human body.

However, it has data centers, which house many servers needed to support the questions, which exceed 1 billion daily.

This amount of inquiries requires high-performance electrical equipment, which produces heat that can damage the devices and result in malfunctions. To counteract this, various types of coolant methods are needed.

What does that have to do with us? Your search consumes, on average, less than a teaspoon of water. Not so bad, right? According to some sources, with the amount of searches each user enters, which on average is more than just one, and with the number of users each day across the globe, popular generative AI sites need approximately 10,000,000 liters of freshwater per day, which is 2,641,720 gallons.

Before we even get to the point of typing in your homework question, training an AI model can generate a carbon footprint equivalent to the lifetime emissions of five cars.

Most data centers use evaporative cooling systems, so some of the water is lost as vapor and cannot be recovered, but not all. Still, this causes a net water loss to the local environment.

Let’s say you refuse to use generative AI. Do you still use Google? In 2023, Google calculated that its data centers used as much water as 40 golf courses.

Either way you choose to get your information, take a moment to gather your thoughts so that instead of asking more questions, we ask better questions.

Kaley Jo Vandergriff, Law Clerk, BridgehouseLaw LLP, Charlotte, NC 

image: Adobe Stock

Alligator Alcatraz Explained

“Alligator Alcatraz”, a temporary migrant detention facility in the Florida Everglades, making headlines across America, officially opened on July 3, 2025.

Due to its location, the facility is intended to deter potential escapees with the danger of the native Alligators. The facility’s colloquial name compares the threat of animal attacks to the danger of the vast waters surrounding the now-defunct Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco, CA.

The original Alcatraz operated for 29 years from 1934 to 1963 with no known completed escapes. Numerous movies have been made about the location, including Escape from Alcatraz featuring Clint Eastwood, Point Blank, and Birdman of Alcatraz.

In reality, some of America’s most infamous criminals from Prohibition-era gangsters like Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly, or McCarthy-era suspected communists like Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, spent time here.

Three inmates successfully broke out of the prison, but whether they survived the strong, cold currents of the water is unknown. However, the mother of two of the potential escapees supposedly received flowers anonymously every Mother’s Day until her death. 

Kaley Joe Vandergriff, Law Clerk, BridgehouseLaw Charlotte

Who is the infamous 'Florida Man'?

Those unfamiliar with America’s southern state of Florida might wonder who “Florida Man” is if they have seen this term in headlines or on social media.

Is he a superhero like Batman?

Is he a wives’ tale we tell our children to encourage them to behave?

“Florida Man” is not one individual. This term has been used to refer to individuals from Florida who partake in outrageous crimes or get themselves stuck in humorous situations. The newspaper articles often sound like, “Barefoot Florida man wrestles giant alligator” or “Florida woman arrested for aggravated battery with a Pringles can”. These are real titles from this year.

Florida extends between the Gulf of America and the Atlantic Ocean and is home to widely varying cultures across the state. Florida’s adventurous wildlife and volatile weather patterns sometimes contribute to chaos. Florida sees an average of 1.2 million lightning strikes annually and is crowned with the nickname “lightning capital of the United States”. More storms, including hurricanes or tropical storms, hit Florida than any other state, so the residents have become accustomed to emergencies. Everglades National Park is the only place in the world where Alligators coexist with their reptile cousin, the Crocodile. Additionally, Florida has many invasive species due to numerous ports of entry and an abundant live animal trade. 

However, 142.9 million visitors still decided to travel to Florida on vacation in 2024. Highly rated stops include Orlando, Key West, and Destin, all known for their pristine white sand beaches. Bring your sunscreen and keep your camera ready!

Kaley Jo Vandergriff, Law Clerk, BridgehouseLaw LLP, Charlotte, NC

The Importance of Estate Planning at Any Age

When most people hear "estate planning," they imagine something reserved for the elderly. In reality, estate planning is a crucial step for anyone, regardless of age, income, or family size.

At its core, estate planning ensures your wishes are fulfilled if something happens to you. It includes key documents like a will, a power of attorney, and a healthcare directive. These tools can help avoid legal confusion, reduce stress on loved ones, and ensure your voice is heard, even if you’re unable to speak for yourself. 

Having a plan in place can be especially important in a medical emergency. An advance directive combines a living will (documents how you want your medical care handled) and a healthcare power of attorney (allows a trusted person to make medical decisions on your behalf). An advance directive ensures your healthcare is according to your wishes and protects your family from making difficult decisions regarding your medical care.

A will allows you to designate how your assets are distributed to your loved ones. Without a will, the distribution of your assets is according to the state statute, which may neglect a loved one, such as a close friend. For adults with children, a will can also designate guardianship and protect their future. A will offers peace of mind that assets will be distributed according to their wishes, minimizing disputes and reducing the burden on their family.

Whether you're 25 or 75, creating or updating an estate plan is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give your loved ones. It’s not about having a lot, it’s about protecting what matters most.

Kelsey Greene, Law Clerk, BridgehouseLaw LLP, Charlotte, NC 

***UPDATE***IMPORTANT*** Workforce Freedom and Protect Act - check your non-competes

‼️ Update regarding NC Bill 269, Workforce Freedom and Protection Act (N.C.G.S. 95-275) ‼️

Per a conversation with the North Carolina Legislative Help Desk, this Bill is still being reviewed by legislative committees and is not currently law.

The proposed Bill's effective date of July 1, 2025, had caused some news outlets to report the Bill as current law.

Attorney Crystal Bagnardi McBride apologizes for any inconvenience or confusion the original LinkedIn post may have caused. She will continue to monitor the proposed Bill's progress throughout the legislative process.

North Carolina House Bill 269, Workforce Freedom and Protect Act (N.C.G.S § 95-275) (the “Act”) went into effect July 1, 2025. This Act prohibits North Carolina employers from entering into, requiring as a condition of employment, or enforcing any non-compete agreement with an employee who earns less than $75,000.00 USD per year. The prohibition applies to noncompete restrictions on time, geographic area, and specific work activities. Any existing noncompete agreements pertaining to employees earning less than $75,000.00 USD per year are, in effect, unenforceable under the Act. 

Additionally, the Act prohibits employers from requiring employees who primarily reside or work in North Carolina to agree to a contract provision that would: (1) require the employee to adjudicate outside of this state a claim arising in the state; or (2) deprive the employee from the protection of North Carolina law for a claim arising in this state.  The Act renders such contractual clauses void and unenforceable.

The NC Attorney General has the authority to investigate and bring legal action against any employer who violates the Act. Employees who file a civil action against the employer for violations of the Act are eligible to recover damages, reasonable attorney fees, and other relief deemed appropriate by a court of law.

Crystal McBride, Attorney, BridgehouseLaw Charlotte