Zucked: Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe

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This dramatic narrative follows a prominent tech venture capitalist who, once a mentor to Mark Zuckerberg and an investor in Facebook, becomes alarmed by the platform's detrimental impact on society and decides to take action. Just three years prior, he would have laughed at the idea of dedicating himself to preventing Facebook from undermining democracy. Proud of his early involvement with Zuckerberg, he had every reason to remain optimistic until the reality of the situation became undeniable. The author recounts his awakening to the manipulation of Facebook by malicious actors and the unsettling realization that Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg either could not or would not acknowledge these concerns. The unfolding events of Brexit and the election of Donald Trump, coupled with alarming news about Facebook's misuse, deepen his disillusionment. Despite being a large shareholder, he finds Facebook's leadership dismissive, treating the issue as merely a public relations challenge. Alienated, he collaborates with like-minded individuals and a team of Silicon Valley technologists to confront the existential threat posed by Facebook and the broader attention economy. This account serves as both a personal journey and a critical examination of a business sector detached from accountability during a time of political and cultural crisis, offering a vital perspective on the urgent issues at hand.