From Slate Magazine · Sam Adams · · 1m 20s
Aaron Sorkin's Facebook Movie Fails to Resonate
Sorkin's new Facebook film misses the mark with Zuckerberg's algorithmic extremism.
In brief
Sorkin's new Facebook film misses the mark with Zuckerberg's algorithmic extremism. Sorkin's film shows Mark Zuckerberg prioritizing engagement over misinformation reduction despite internal reports of 38% misinformation reduction potential. Originally reported by Slate Magazine.
Sorkin's 64 Percent Figure
Sorkin built a movie around 64 percent of users in extremist Facebook groups being steered by the site's algorithm.
“64: the percentage of users in extremist Facebook groups who, according to an internal report from 2016, were steered to them by the site’s own algorithm”
The Social Reckoning's Characters
The film features Jeff Horwitz, a Wall Street Journal correspondent who doesn't know how to use GPS, and Frances Haugen, Facebook's civic integrity team member.
“Jeff Horwitz (Jeremy Allen White), a newly installed correspondent for the Wall Street Journal who is so tech-unsavvy he doesn’t know how to use his rental car’s GPS”
Facebook's Algorithm Shift
Sorkin shows Zuckerberg tweaking Facebook's algorithm to favor rage-inducing content that keeps users scrolling infinitely.
“Sorkin does construct a persuasive chain of cause and effect, showing how Zuckerberg reacted to the threat of newer social networks by tweaking Facebook’s algorithm to favor rage-inducing content”
Zuckerberg's Unrestrained Power
Zuckerberg is portrayed as an unrepentant sociopath who ignores proposals to reduce misinformation by 38 percent while costing only 1 percent of engagement.
“When a member of Haugen’s team tries to brief him on how making certain adjustments to the site’s algorithm could reduce the spread of misinformation by 38 percent while costing them only 1 percent of overall engagement”
The Social Reckoning's Weaknesses
The film lacks visual mastery and feels airless despite Sorkin's attempts to show Facebook's impact on the real world.
“Sorkin doesn’t direct with anything like the visual mastery that David Fincher brought to The Social Network, and his love of people talking in rooms gives Reckoning an airless feel”
Zuckerberg's Response to Misinformation
Zuckerberg dismisses proposals to reduce misinformation by 38 percent while costing only 1 percent of engagement.
“he doesn’t bother to soften his contempt”
The Social Reckoning's Outcome
The film ends with Zuckerberg's actions worsening Facebook's impact on society despite claims of temporary success.
“from our perch in the future, it seems like things have only gotten worse, and the story isn’t close to being over”
The short version
Sorkin's film shows Mark Zuckerberg prioritizing engagement over misinformation reduction despite internal reports of 38% misinformation reduction potential.
