Interestingly enough, I found out about this book through a post on Facebook. Given what Sarah Wynn-Williams' Careless People is about, I have to find that more than a little humorous. In the book, the author, a former Facebook employee herself, details her time there, complete with accounts of misogyny, double standards, and most anything else that makes up a toxic work environment.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a work of nonfiction that follows Wynn-Williams' career during her time at Facebook as their Director of Global Public Policy. After a short prologue, and a brief story from the author's childhood about when she was attacked by a shark, Wynn-Williams goes into just how she got her job at Facebook, essentially managing to convince leadership to create a whole new position for her. Convinced that Facebook had the power to change the world for the better, Wynn-Williams wanted the role of helping Facebook with geopolitical issues. She gets her wish, but what follows are years of watching a company grow in power, while their leaders become more corrupt, and more focused on getting the platform in as many places as possible, by any means necessary. And the author struggles to hold onto her idealism, while also being asked to work an unsustainable schedule in the middle of growing and raising her family. There are awkward encounters with international leaders; intense meetings at the Facebook office(s); and a constant feeling of being in a 'This is Fine' meme.
My Verdict: This is one of those books I found myself having to read as quickly as possible, and not because it is a bad book, but because the subject matter is so unsettling. Granted, I knew that would be the case, but some of what Wynn-Williams reveals is so absurd and ridiculous, and also a bit soul-crushing as it shows humanity at its worst, and how power and money can become the ultimate focus, especially for those who already have so much of both. I must point out the role that Wynn-Williams played in many of Facebook's nefarious successes, which is something she does acknowledge...somewhat...but only after reiterating her continued belief that the company had the power to do so much good in the world, and that she only wanted to help. Well, the results of her 'help' only aided in putting the company where it is now.
Favorite Moment: Any one of my favorite moments would be a major spoiler if I were to post it here. The entire book will serve as validation for many who have long suspected what Facebook has been up to. For me, there is one Facebook executive in particular whose behavior I found both fascinating and horrifying.
Recommended Reading: I recommend Babel by R.F. Kuang. Yes, Babel is fiction, and set in a different time and place. However, I kept thinking about its themes of knowledge and exploitation while I was reading Careless People. And Wynn-Williams reminds me of one of the characters that also meant well, but just did not seem to 'get it.'
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