I finally saw The Social Network last Friday. Where do I begin?
Well, how about with the facts. Leaving the theater, our wheels were definitely turning about the accuracy of the film. Without a doubt, Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg is painted as a tragic hero, which is also how screenwriter Aaron Sorkin describes the character. In the movie and arguably in reality, Zuckerberg is driven and passionate about his talents and concept to the point where some underhanded or perhaps less than honorable actions were taken. While there is some loose truth to the story line, some quick Googling reveals some interesting facts on the victimized billionaire Eduardo and more factual accounts of Facebook’s early days.
I don’t necessarily agree with all of the choices he made (though his word choice in released personal IM conversations is pretty entertaining), but it aligns with what you might expect out of an incredibly talented Harvard undergrad who knows he’s smarter than almost everyone around him. His actions are also polarized in light of the current staggering success of Facebook, where at the time, no one could possibly know the impact that this small site would have on the world and all those involved in its beginnings. I also respect that Zuckerberg made some hard decisions to ensure that Facebook w0uld not only flourish but maintain its integrity.
