Careless People

1. Idealism Meets Reality at Facebook

It was idealism that originally led me to Facebook. Looking back, I’m a little ashamed to admit that. This was in 2009, back when it still was possible to be optimistic about Facebook, in those innocent days when it still was possible to be hopeful about the internet.

Naive Beginnings. The author, Sarah Wynn-Williams, initially joined Facebook with a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the world, viewing the platform as a powerful tool for global connection and social change. Her background as a diplomat at the United Nations fueled her belief in the potential of Facebook to foster international cooperation and address global challenges. However, this idealism was soon confronted with the realities of corporate priorities and the often-conflicting interests of governments and businesses.

The Facebook Epiphany. Wynn-Williams's fascination with Facebook evolved into an unshakable belief that it would change the world, recognizing its potential to revolutionize politics and global communication. She saw the vastness of the information Facebook would collect as unprecedented, holding immense power and value. This conviction drove her to pursue a role within the company, despite the skepticism and lack of understanding she encountered from those already working there.

Clash of Visions. The author's initial enthusiasm was tempered by the realization that Facebook's leadership did not share her vision of the company as a global political force. Instead, they primarily focused on business growth and profitability, viewing international relations through the lens of market expansion and regulatory compliance. This fundamental difference in perspective would shape her experiences and ultimately lead to disillusionment.

2. The Relentless Pursuit of Growth

The vastness of the information Facebook would be collecting was unprecedented. Data about everything. Data that was previously entirely private. Data on the citizens of every country. A historic amount of data and so incredibly valuable. Information is power.

Growth at All Costs. Facebook's business model hinges on exponential growth, pushing the company to aggressively expand into new territories and acquire more users. This relentless pursuit of growth often overshadows ethical considerations and leads to the bending of rules and the exploitation of regulatory loopholes. The growth team, responsible for driving this expansion, embodies the company's values and priorities.

The Growth Team's Ethos. The growth team's mentality is characterized by a "move fast and break things" approach, prioritizing rapid expansion over careful consideration of potential consequences. This mentality is exemplified by their aggressive tactics for acquiring new users, such as importing contacts without explicit permission and developing "creepy" friend recommendation tools. This approach, while effective in driving growth, raises serious questions about user privacy and ethical responsibility.

Conquering Mentality. The author notes that this conquering mentality, while successful in expanding Facebook's reach, often comes at the expense of other values and considerations. The company's focus on growth can lead to the exploitation of vulnerable populations and the disregard for local laws and customs. This raises concerns about the long-term sustainability and ethical implications of Facebook's business model.

3. Moral Compromises for Global Reach

How you answer this question about the Arab Spring depends on what your strategy is for China. If you take credit for the Arab Spring, if you take credit for a people’s revolution, China will be less likely to allow Facebook back into China.

China's Allure. The prospect of accessing the vast Chinese market, with its hundreds of millions of internet users, drives Facebook to make significant compromises. These compromises often involve sacrificing principles of free speech and user privacy in order to appease the Chinese government. The author witnesses firsthand the internal debates and ethical dilemmas that arise as Facebook navigates the complex political landscape of China.

The Price of Admission. The company's pursuit of entry into China leads to discussions about granting the Chinese government access to user data, implementing censorship measures, and potentially compromising the privacy of users outside of China. These compromises raise serious concerns about Facebook's commitment to its stated mission of making the world more open and connected, and its willingness to prioritize business interests over human rights.

The Moral Tightrope. The author grapples with the ethical implications of Facebook's actions in China, struggling to reconcile her belief in the platform's potential for good with the compromises being made to gain access to the Chinese market. She witnesses the erosion of Facebook's values as the company prioritizes growth and profitability over its commitment to free speech and user privacy.

4. The Price of Success and the Erosion of Values

Our philosophy on perks is that we want to provide services that are utilitarian and help people with things they need in order to help them focus on our long-term goals.

The Allure of Perks. Facebook's lavish perks, such as free meals, laundry services, and transportation, create a comfortable and convenient work environment, but also blur the lines between work and personal life. These perks, while seemingly generous, serve to incentivize employees to dedicate more time and energy to their jobs, further reinforcing the company's culture of overwork and sacrifice.

The Facebook Family. The company fosters a strong sense of community and belonging, encouraging employees to view Facebook as more than just a job, but as a family and a mission. This sense of belonging can be both positive and negative, creating a strong sense of loyalty but also making it difficult for employees to question or challenge the company's direction. The "Facebook Family" ethos is used to justify long hours and intense dedication, blurring the lines between personal life and professional obligations.

The Erosion of Boundaries. The author observes how the company's culture of overwork and sacrifice can lead to the erosion of personal boundaries and the neglect of other important aspects of life, such as family, friends, and hobbies. This can create a sense of imbalance and dissatisfaction, even among those who are initially drawn to the company's mission and values.

5. Navigating Ethical Minefields in Tech

This is a revolution. What do you do when you see a revolution is coming? I decide I will stop at nothing to be part of it. At the center of the action. Once you see it, you can’t sit on the sidelines. I’m desperate to be part of it. I can’t remember ever wanting anything more.

Content Moderation Challenges. The author grapples with the complexities of content moderation, particularly in the context of hate speech and misinformation. She witnesses firsthand the challenges of balancing free speech principles with the need to protect users from harmful content. The company's initial reluctance to intervene in content moderation stems from its commitment to free speech, but this approach proves inadequate in addressing the spread of hate speech and misinformation.

The Organ Donation Debacle. The author's involvement in Facebook's organ donation initiative highlights the ethical dilemmas that arise when the company attempts to apply its uniform approach to complex and culturally sensitive issues. The initiative exposes the tension between Facebook's desire to collect data and its responsibility to protect user privacy and respect cultural differences. The author's resistance to Sheryl Sandberg's vision for the initiative, which prioritized data collection over ethical considerations, demonstrates her commitment to responsible policy-making.

The Megaphone Dilemma. The debate over the use of a megaphone to promote organ donation reveals the fundamental conflict between Facebook's desire to be a neutral platform and its potential to influence user behavior. The author's opposition to the megaphone reflects her concern that Facebook should not be in the business of advocacy, as this would inevitably lead to difficult choices about which causes to support and which to ignore.

6. The Dark Side of Connectivity: Myanmar's Tragedy

It’s the network effect. Being blocked right now is a disaster. How quickly can we get this fixed?

Myanmar's Promise and Peril. The author's experiences in Myanmar highlight the potential for Facebook to be both a force for good and a catalyst for harm in developing countries. While Facebook can provide a platform for communication and information sharing, it can also be used to spread misinformation and incite violence, particularly in societies with existing ethnic tensions. The company's initial indifference to the situation in Myanmar allows hate speech and misinformation to proliferate, contributing to the persecution of the Rohingya Muslim minority.

The Junta's Control. The military junta's control over communications in Myanmar presents a significant challenge to Facebook's mission of connecting the world. The author's attempts to negotiate with the junta reveal the difficulties of engaging with authoritarian regimes that prioritize control over freedom of expression. The junta's decision to block Facebook highlights the tension between the company's desire for global reach and its commitment to democratic values.

The Earthquake's Aftermath. The Christchurch earthquake in New Zealand demonstrates the power of Facebook to connect people and provide essential information in times of crisis. The author witnesses firsthand how Facebook can be used to coordinate relief efforts, share information on road closures, and offer support to those affected by the disaster. This experience reinforces her belief in the potential of Facebook to be a force for good in the world.

7. Power, Politics, and the Perilous Path to Autocracy

I am overruling you.

Zuckerberg's Overruling. Mark Zuckerberg's direct intervention in the organ donation project, overruling the author's recommendations, signals a shift in the company's decision-making process. This incident highlights the growing power of Zuckerberg and the increasing centralization of control within Facebook. It also demonstrates the challenges of working in an environment where decisions are often made based on personal preferences rather than sound policy principles.

The Neutral Platform Myth. The author observes how Zuckerberg's belief in Facebook as a "neutral platform" clashes with the reality of the company's influence on political discourse and social issues. This belief leads to a reluctance to take responsibility for the content shared on the platform and a resistance to implementing measures that would limit the spread of misinformation and hate speech. The author's attempts to challenge this neutrality are often met with resistance from Zuckerberg and other senior leaders.

The Slide Toward Autocracy. The author witnesses the gradual erosion of democratic processes within Facebook, as Zuckerberg consolidates power and makes decisions based on his own personal beliefs and preferences. This trend raises concerns about the company's ability to act responsibly and ethically, particularly in the face of complex global challenges. The author's growing disillusionment with Facebook stems from her realization that the company is increasingly operating as an autocracy, with little regard for the input of its employees or the concerns of the outside world.

8. The Personal Cost of a Professional Crisis

I SAVED MYSELF

The Shark Attack. The author's personal story of surviving a shark attack as a teenager reveals her resilience and determination. This experience shapes her worldview and fuels her desire to make a positive impact on the world. The shark attack serves as a metaphor for the challenges and dangers she would later face in her career at Facebook.

The Pregnancy Predicament. The author's pregnancy creates a new set of challenges, as she struggles to balance her demanding job with the responsibilities of motherhood. She faces pressure to return to work quickly and to prioritize her career over her family. This pressure is exacerbated by the company's culture of overwork and the lack of support for working mothers.

The Health Scare. The author's near-death experience during childbirth forces her to re-evaluate her priorities and question her commitment to Facebook. She realizes that her health and well-being, as well as the well-being of her family, must take precedence over her career. This realization marks a turning point in her journey, leading her to seek a way out of Facebook.

9. The Unraveling of a Tech Titan's Vision

I’m not sure that there’s enough work to do on this stuff, I mean the stuff you’re interested in, to make it a real job, but we’ll figure it out.

The End of Idealism. The author's initial idealism is gradually eroded by her experiences at Facebook, as she witnesses the company's growing disregard for ethical considerations and its increasing focus on profit and power. She realizes that the revolution she had hoped to be a part of has been co-opted by corporate interests and that the platform she once believed in is now contributing to many of the problems she had hoped to solve.

The Loss of Trust. The author's trust in Facebook's leadership is shattered as she witnesses their willingness to compromise on core values and their indifference to the harm the platform is causing in the world. She realizes that the people in charge are not the idealistic visionaries she had once believed them to be, but rather pragmatic businesspeople who are willing to sacrifice anything for the sake of growth and profit.

The Search for Meaning. The author's journey at Facebook ends with a sense of disillusionment and regret. She realizes that she can no longer reconcile her personal values with the company's actions and that she must seek a new path that aligns with her commitment to making a positive impact on the world. Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of holding tech companies accountable for their actions.

Last updated: March 15, 2025