The definition of the "American Dream" is varied. Perhaps the most storied version involves starting with nothing and making an obscene amount of money. Numerous individuals have achieved this dream, but not without criticism. The 2010 biographical film The Social Network examines one of the most notable figure's quest for the American Dream. The director David Fincher details Facebook's founder Mark Zuckerberg's turbulent rise from a college student to the youngest billionaire ever.
The wealthiest Americans throughout history often share similar narratives. There are typically three chapters in their lives: humble beginning, wealth accumulation, and redemption. The Social Network's story, scripted by Aaron Sorkin, who recently wrote and directed The Trial of the Chicago 7, explores Zuckerberg's life as he transitions from Chapter 1 to Chapter 2.
Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network
Chapter 1 of these ridiculously wealthy individuals reveals a relatively modest upbringing. Although some, including Howard Hughes and Bill Gates, came from affluent backgrounds, many grew up in middle-class families. Andrew Carnegie's father, for instance, was a handloom weaver. And John D. Rockefeller's father was a lumberman and a traveling salesman.
Mark Zuckerberg had a comfortable childhood, raised by a psychiatrist mother and dentist father, but not considered wealthy. At the beginning of The Social Network, he is a nerdy Harvard undergraduate desperate to join an elite social club. Zuckerberg desires to rise from his relatively humble social status as he enters the wealth accumulation stage (or Chapter 2) of his life. He sets the foundation for what will make him one of the richest people on earth.
While accruing immense wealth during Chapter 2 of their American Dream, many use aggressive means, undermining competitors and exploiting workers. Andrew Carnegie's steel company was involved in the bloody 1892 Homestead Strike when armed private security agents killed seven striking workers. John D. Rockefeller also had an unsavory relationship with workers, widely blamed for the Ludlow Massacre in 1914, when armed guards killed 21 striking coal miners and family members.
The 2010 film concludes during Chapter 2 of Zuckerberg's American Dream. He launched Facebook in 2003, and the narrative ends in 2009 with the settling of lawsuits against the young entrepreneur. The movie paints a ruthless and vindictive individual, willing to do anything to get ahead. He has no qualms about stealing ideas or betraying his best friend. As the scathing details of Zuckerberg's ambitions littered the movie screen, the business magnate began his foray into Chapter 3 of the American Dream. In 2010, he donated $100 million to the Newark Public Schools.
Mark Zuckerberg in 2005 (nytimes.com)
After building enormous wealth, many attempt to repair their reputation and preserve their legacy through philanthropy during the final chapter of their lives. Although some Americans may be familiar with the Homestead Strike today, many more know about Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Hall, and countless libraries named after the steel magnate. And how many Rockefeller University students or Rockefeller Foundation employees are familiar with the Ludlow Massacre?
Skeptics viewed Zuckerberg's 2010 philanthropy as an attempt to distract the public from the unflattering movie. But he continued with other charitable ventures. He signed "The Giving Pledge," which is a promise to give away at least 50% of his wealth during his lifetime. Subsequently, Zuckerberg donated billions to underserved communities, world health initiatives, and scientific research. But he still has more money than he or his descendants can spend over countless generations. And the question is whether philanthropy can excuse atrocious behavior during the path to wealth accumulation. These ambitious souls know they can't take their money with them when they die. So they are investing in the only thing that will remain on earth: their legacy.
When Zuckerberg entered Chapter 3 of his life, he did not officially exit Chapter 2. He remains the CEO and controlling shareholder of Facebook. Zuckerberg continues to reap the benefits from the hugely successful social media platform, placing his wealth at $122 billion (as of 6/7/21). So when Facebook is accused of being one of the greatest sources of disinformation, how hard is the CEO trying to fix it? Is he willing to lose profits to reduce conspiracy theories that stoke division in our society? The Mark Zuckerberg portrayed in The Social Network would laugh at the idea. Hurting others for personal gain was his thing. But the new and improved, the more charitable Zuckerberg may feel different. The question is how far has he transitioned to Chapter 3 and how genuine are his attempts to minimize disinformation on Facebook.
When assessing Mark Zuckerberg's journey, one has to wonder about the path taken by another notable "wealthy" individual, Donald Trump. However, Trump's life is dissimilar to Carnegie, Rockefeller, and Zuckerberg. Unlike these self-made men, Trump received a large inheritance from his father. Furthermore, his wealth is minuscule compared to "really" rich people, estimated at only $2.4 billion by Forbes (as of 6/7/21). Perhaps that's the reason why he has not entered Chapter 3 of his life, with the Donald J. Trump Foundation exposed as a scam and forced to shut down in 2019. Sadly, at the age of 74, he is still in Chapter 2, desperately trying to maintain wealth and power, with little regard to ethics or decency. Perhaps, if he were as rich as Zuckerberg, he would be more charitable.
Donald Trump presents a check during a campaign event in 2016 (nytimes.com)
The Social Network is a great film. Although no one should take Sorkin's narrative as the absolute truth, the movie shows the mind of a man who is willing to do almost anything to achieve success. Perhaps, that kind of drive is necessary to become extremely wealthy, as demonstrated in others who have taken a similar path.
Eleven years following the movie's release, much has changed. Zuckerberg is even more successful and is in the process of repairing his reputation. If the public's opinion of the man changes, it may be through forgiveness or just plain forgetfulness. If it's the latter, The Social Network serves as a permanent record to jog one's memory.
Andrew’s Grade: A
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