NPR's Book of the Day A former Meta executive characterizes company leadership as "careless" in new memoir
Mar 24, 2025
A former Meta executive reveals her disillusioning journey from Facebook superfan to critic. She brands Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg as 'careless' leaders complicit in authoritarian practices. The conversation dives into Meta's contentious negotiations with China over censorship and examines the company's political influence, particularly during the 2016 election. Wynn-Williams discusses the ethical pitfalls of prioritizing profit over user safety and the resulting consequences for accountability in corporate tech leadership.
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From UN to Facebook
- Sarah Wynne-Williams, initially a Facebook megafan, transitioned from working at the UN to Facebook.
- She believed Facebook had the potential to be a powerful global platform.
Zuckerberg's Worldview
- Wynne-Williams observed Zuckerberg's approach to global affairs as viewing the world like a board game.
- His focus was on expanding reach and influence rather than real-world impact.
China's Importance
- Zuckerberg's 2014 memo emphasized the importance of gaining access to China for Facebook's global dominance.
- This reflects a strategic approach similar to the board game Risk.
