The Social Network (2010)
Synopsis: “The Social Network” follows the story of Mark Zuckerberg, a Harvard University student, and his journey to creating Facebook, one of the most popular social networking platforms in the world. The film begins with Zuckerberg’s development of Facemash, a website that allows users to rate the attractiveness of their classmates based on their profile pictures. Facemash’s success attracts the attention of Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, twin brothers and fellow Harvard students, who approach Zuckerberg with the idea of creating a social networking platform exclusive to Harvard students called HarvardConnection.
Instead of working with the Winklevoss twins, Zuckerberg decides to pursue his own idea for a social networking platform, which eventually evolves into Facebook. With the help of his best friend Eduardo Saverin, Zuckerberg launches Facebook from his dorm room, initially targeting Harvard students before expanding to other universities and eventually the general public. As Facebook grows in popularity and attracts the attention of investors, tensions arise between Zuckerberg and his associates, leading to legal disputes and betrayals that threaten to tear the company apart.
Objectives:
- Examine the entrepreneurial journey of Mark Zuckerberg.
- Discuss the challenges and ethical considerations in the tech industry.
- Explore the impact of social media on communication and relationships.
- Analyze the role of innovation in the success of Facebook.
Introduction
As the film unfolds, it delves into themes of entrepreneurship, innovation, friendship, betrayal, and the ethical implications of success in the digital age. Through a series of flashbacks and courtroom scenes, “The Social Network” explores the complexities of ambition, power, and the human relationships that shape the trajectory of Facebook and its founders.
- Introduction to Entrepreneurship:
- Define entrepreneurship and discuss the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs.
- Social Media Discussion:
- Explore the impact of social media on communication, relationships, and society.
- Discuss the positive and negative aspects of social media platforms.
Analysis and Discussion
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation:
- Explore the entrepreneurial journey of Mark Zuckerberg and the founding of Facebook, including the ideation process, development of the platform, and strategies for growth.
- Discuss the role of innovation in creating disruptive technologies and the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in navigating the business landscape.
- Discuss the innovative aspects of Facebook and how it changed social networking.
- Business Strategy and Competition:
- Analyze the competitive landscape in which Facebook operates and the strategies employed by Zuckerberg and his team to gain a competitive advantage.
- Discuss the implications of competition, including legal disputes and ethical considerations related to intellectual property and business ethics.
- Leadership and Management:
- Examine the leadership styles of Mark Zuckerberg and other key characters, including their strengths, weaknesses, and approaches to decision-making and conflict resolution.
- Discuss the importance of effective management and teamwork in building and scaling a successful business.
- Analyze the impact of friendship on business relationships, using the dynamics between Mark Zuckerberg and his associates as examples.
- Discuss the challenges of maintaining personal relationships while pursuing business success.
- Analyze how the film portrays the role of communication in the success and challenges of Facebook.
- Discuss the impact of online communication on traditional relationships.
- Ethical and Legal Issues:
- Explore the ethical dilemmas faced by Zuckerberg and other characters throughout the film, including issues related to privacy, intellectual property, and corporate governance.
- Discuss the legal challenges and controversies surrounding the founding of Facebook, such as the lawsuits filed by the Winklevoss twins and Eduardo Saverin.
- Discuss ethical considerations related to the founding of Facebook and subsequent legal battles.
- Impact of Technology:
- Discuss the societal impact of social networking platforms like Facebook, including their influence on communication, relationships, and privacy.
- Examine the role of technology in shaping the digital economy and disrupting traditional industries.
- Discuss how social media platforms have evolved since the founding of Facebook.
Discussion Questions:
- What motivated Mark Zuckerberg to create Facebook, and how did it evolve into a global phenomenon?
- Discuss the legal and ethical challenges faced by Mark Zuckerberg in the film.
- How did the dynamics of friendship influence the business relationships portrayed in the movie?
- Analyze the impact of Facebook and social media on communication and relationships.
- What lessons can be learned from the entrepreneurial journey depicted in “The Social Network”?
Activities
- Research and present on the evolution of social media platforms beyond Facebook.
- Analyze the current state of privacy concerns related to social media.
- Create a hypothetical business plan for a new social media platform, considering lessons from the film.
- Create a Mock Start-up Pitch
