Mark Zuckerberg
I just finished watching an online documentary (of sorts) about Mark Zuckerberg – the founder of Facebook. That is one amazing success story. Until this past weekend, I knew virtually nothing about him. Clearly, I’m out of the loop. And old. On Saturday night, I went to the movies to see The Social Network (the Facebook story) and was totally engrossed for two hours. If you haven’t seen the film, I recommend it. Not only is it well-acted and well-written but it’s also a fascinating story about what people can and will do, to succeed. It’s a tale of creativity, opportunity, genius, vision, commitment, relationships, trust and integrity.
Well that was my take, anyway.
The People Stuff Behind the Business Stuff
People who do amazing stuff – no matter what the endeavour – inspire me. And while I wouldn’t call myself a Facebook ‘fan’ (neither am I a hater), it’s the personal story behind the commercial success that interests and excites me the most. I want to know what happened mentally, emotionally, physically and, even, socially for Zuckerberg to be able to do what he did. Clearly, being a genius helps but the vast majority of genii allow their brilliance to lie dormant. Being brilliant is one thing. Maximising it, is another. His mind-blowing results were (are) dependant on much more than his high IQ, that’s for sure.
From Nothing to Something
While the money aspect of the Facebook story is out-of-control (a Russian company recently acquired 1.96% of it for two hundred million dollars!), what’s really cool is the fact that a geeky kid could take an idea (an idea that some suggest wasn’t totally his), turn it into a project operating out of his college dormitory room and then grow that project into one of the most successful businesses on the planet. All in the space of a few short years.
In terms of human behaviour, right now Facebook is probably the most influential company in the world.
The world!
Love it or hate it, you can’t deny that it’s a social, electronic and commercial phenomenon. Twenty-six year-old Zuckerberg is said to be currently worth somewhere in the vicinity of twenty-five billion dollars. And he has Hollywood making movies about him. Not bad for a bloke who doesn’t care about money or media attention.
So, what’s my point?
Thanks for asking.
My point is, if a nineteen year-old college drop-out (nineteen when he launched the company), with limited life experience, not-particularly-great people skills and a crapload of drive can literally change the way (much of) the world thinks, communicates, connects and behaves socially, then what can you create and achieve in your world?
That’s all. 
“On the other side of fear, is freedom.”
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
i like:)
Belief is a amazing thing, especially for world domination. The last line really works for me, “On the other side of fear is freedom” … think I need this tattooed somewhere, forehead maybe!
Hi travellers
If it’s life changing you want then read the story about 7yr old Mikayla in the Melbourne Herald Sun today. If you dont shed a tear you are not human…sorry to set such a high expectation….it will definitely give the heart strings a tug.
Life is Precious. Don’t waste a moment.
Live, Love, Laugh and get Lost. Go on an adventure, tell a story, keep moving, embrace your change. Feel emotion. Experience joy and sadness, fear and happiness. When you have the least you may just find the most. When you have lots, share. Take your moment of inspiration and turn it into something wonderful.
Just like Mark Zuckerberg there are 6 billion opportunities for you to make an impact somewhere, somehow. Make the world a better place.
Go on. I dare you.
Have an amazing day.
The last scene is fake, where he is sitting in the lawyers office but I want to make a point. I do agree with your review of it.
Apparently, the lady who he had the fall out with, that did not happen. But it brings up a great point about what I have experienced.
We have a world of people online. Posting on quite a few sites of different types including Sir Craig’s, our views might be heard.
But it is still a screen. It is not another soul. There is connection, but it is not the same. I just think society needs training in working the internet. People think we are friends online. That’s rubbish.
Also, re Mark, I think you and I realate to it because we go down a path that is different to others. Millons do, but as anon said in that post last month as I recall, it is a lonely path. I agree with that to an extent but don’t want to debate that. What I want to say, Mark paid a high price for his path. Friendship and relationship loss. I’m sorry but how do we balance being the individual many on here posted they want to be but not be alone?
I know Craig posted a possiblity: why can’t you have both? Yes, very much so, but our habits of using the interent have caused divisions and social isolation. For geeks, those like me who are shy, it has been a haven, but in some ways its empty. Mark claims this is not the case in some interviews post the movie. But even if it is not, the film serves as a warning that we cannot just exist in the virtual world alone. (and we get fat anyway being online
. So I recommend the movie based on seeing the price his character paid which some of us do for choosing another reality over the physical.
Yes, I too am inspired by the Mark Zuckerman story. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but the story itself (without the hollywood slant) is amazing!
I read the other day that when he was 11 years old he designed an intranet for his family to use between their home computers. He was eleven!! Clearly one smart kid. Obviously he went on to become a maths/computer obsessed geek/genius, but you’re right he could just as easily not optimised his creativity or the opportunity that presented itself to him……that’s the best part of the story.
Very inspirational!
Me again. This may or may not be relevant, but what about the Altiyon Childs story too! Sorry to be so ‘popular culture’ orientated but that guys story (apart from his talent) also inspired me. From someone who had already travelled a windy road in the music business and who couldn’t remember the lyrics in his first performance to where he is now ….amazing.
It just goes to show, never give up!!
Also Hi to Michael above. I agree with your thoughts, but online connection can still be beneficial….we are all still humans at the other end of our keyboards, but maybe we just need to show it a bit more…..
But Mon I have see and experienced the nasty connection side of humans on keyboards. You are right. Mark simply to me provided the channel but developed Facebook from judging women according to looks. So it is good and bad I suppose.
What is “out-of-control” is my desire to be something, or someone, other than what I am.
What is ‘in-my-control’ is to stop chasing the tangible physical, but to turn my focus onto the intangible non-physical, the nothingness.
Can I take a Russian dubiously acquired cash with me after my last breath?
Can I merge into the nothingness, the intangible, before my last breath? If I get the practice in, maybe.
It is strange and weird that a connection with fellow beings happens on mass via electronic media. What happens when I walk down the street? A feeling of utter separation from those around me. A fear to communicate with others in the vicinity, a fear of accepting spontaneous communication and relationship with strangers.
But there is a safety I feel with anonymity, a distance that electronic communication provides.
And someone with the right program at the right time has made a squillion on my inner desire to partake in communication at a distance.
But it is the communication I have with my inner self that is the standout in this existance.
Is someone making a squillion out of making a program to fit my need?
Nope!
Because the program is already within!
It is free!
Just probe for it within, it will function!
It has nothing do to with the feeling that I will find nirvana within the faceless pretence of Facebook.
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