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Essay / The Social Network: The Social Constraints of Mark Zuckerberg
The Social NetworkIn The Social Network, we explore the social constraints of the men who created the infinite social possibilities of Facebook. Although the films have fictionalized aspects, they produce an interconnection between human social capacities online and offline. Additionally, they examine why social media has become so popular and how some have come to view it as an addiction, to the point where we view it as a need rather than a want. The social network follows the college life of young Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of Facebook, and presents a clear picture of what sparked his idea. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Zuckerberg's antisocial charisma indicates a need to have friends but lacks the knowledge and/or personality to keep and obtain friends. In the first scene, Zuckerberg expresses complete apathy, or lack of emotional connection, with a woman he considers his girlfriend. As she attempts to have a calm, rational conversation with him, he appears to take her comments as an attempted hostile attack and immediately in return hurls insults and degrading assertions at her. Then the woman tells him that she has no intention of ever seeing him again due to his inability to have a civilized, neutral conversation. Zuckerberg, without hesitation, seeks revenge as quickly as possible and aims to ruin his image, not physically but digitally. Without remorse, he slanders her name from behind a computer, expressing hateful and crude thoughts online for the world to see. He liked the idea that other people could read his intelligent, witty, "well-thought-out" judgment on this girl. The idea of being able to talk about whatever you want and having the entire web able to access your mind, without having the social awkwardness of saying it in person. Isn’t that the very premise of what social media is? Social media is a platform for anyone to grab the microphone and say whatever they want to anyone who will listen. No matter where you are in the world or how socially awkward you are, your theories and opinions can be seen by thousands, if not millions. This generation has now reprogrammed their brains to generate a feeling of gratification every time someone reads their posts and “likes” them. The same endorphin hormones that fill our brains when we receive a compliment, achieve a goal, or even have sex are the same ones we receive from simply saying something we did. Essentially, we reward ourselves when we brag about ourselves. In our daily offline lives, we tend not to be as self-centered when talking to other people. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay It helps us get to know each other better and socialize, but when online, people choose to brag and post about who we are and what we do. There are more “I” statements when we are online than when we are offline. This teaches our brains to associate a self-centered narcissistic attitude with something people value. It’s the complete opposite of being a social creature. This mindset can really affect our capacity for empathy and compassion towards others. Soon we will all lose the emotions that unite us..