Inside “Careless ⁣People”: What⁢ Meta Doesn’t Want You to Know

It’s often challenging to discern genuine⁣ grievances from mere axe-grinding in books penned by⁢ disgruntled former employees. However, Careless People:⁢ A Cautionary ‍Tale of Power,⁤ Greed and Lost Idealism, offers a different perspective. Teh author, a former head of global policy, presents a self-aware narrative with a significant point to convey.

This poses a challenge for Meta, which seeks to portray the author as simply an “activist.” The‍ book has garnered attention due to the author’s whistleblower complaint filed with⁣ the SEC, accounts of alleged misconduct⁢ (denied by Meta), and a portrayal of founder Mark Zuckerberg ⁤as a detached leader.

Meta’s response included ⁢an unusual move: initiating arbitration, claiming the author violated her severance contract by⁣ disparaging the company. An arbitrator then issued an emergency gag order. Meta, in turn, ‍publicly criticized the author, alleging “toxic behavior”—mirroring the author’s own descriptions⁣ of superiors—without fear of rebuttal. Despite this, Careless ⁤People has become an Amazon bestseller.

What exactly is ‍the core narrative? Here’s a glimpse into what Meta might prefer you didn’t know about Careless People.

A Sympathetic Figure Emerges

Memoirs often begin with a captivating anecdote⁤ before delving into the author’s early life. Careless People follows this pattern, first ensuring readers understand that the book’s title is inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s description of the wealthy Tom and Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby. The book opens with an account of smuggling Zuckerberg out of ⁣a state dinner in Panama, navigating past dancers and horses.

The author’s childhood is⁣ particularly compelling. At 13, in New Zealand, she⁣ survived a shark ⁣attack. Her parents⁤ downplayed the severity, but‍ she was bleeding internally and ⁤had to insist on going to the hospital. “I SAVED MYSELF” was the first message she wrote to her mother afterward.

Driven to make a global⁤ impact, she initially worked at the United Nations, focusing on international security‍ and human‍ rights. Though, she grew disillusioned by the focus on ⁤minor details‍ rather than substantive issues. In ‍2009, she recognized the transformative potential of Facebook: a powerful force for⁤ good, if ‍managed effectively.

However, Facebook executives were too confident ‍to grasp this potential. The author began a campaign to⁣ create a global policy position. Initially, she was⁣ told that Facebook was an American company with an American audience. The Arab ‍Spring revolutions in 2011,partly fueled by Facebook,highlighted the platform’s⁤ global⁤ impact.

Once hired, the author addressed government investigations resulting ⁣from the company’s oversights. She prepared Zuckerberg⁤ for meetings with⁣ officials.

The Sheryl Sandberg⁢ Episodes

The book⁢ also recounts interactions with Sheryl Sandberg. On a private jet from Davos to SFO, Sandberg repeatedly asked the author⁣ to join her in the plane’s only bed. The author declined, fearing her snoring would bother ‍Sandberg. Sandberg responded, “people say no to Sheryl so rarely,” and reiterated the request ⁢on the‍ tarmac in California: “you should have got into bed.”

Later, the author learned that “half the department” had been in Sandberg’s⁤ bed. Afterward, she noticed Sandberg “beginning to ice me out.”

The book highlights a contrast between Sandberg’s public image and private behavior.When her team assumed her kids could eat McDonalds because Sandberg posted a picture of‍ herself ‍doing so, ⁤Sandberg retorted that she wasn’t actually eating it.

Later, on another private jet,⁣ Sandberg’s staff⁤ updated her on the historic Women’s March. The “feminist champion” interrupted ‍to‍ ask what Melania Trump was wearing.

The⁢ author reflects on this transformation, recalling John Updike’s ⁢observation that “celebrity is ⁤a mask that eats into the face.” She expresses “a deep sadness for Sheryl,” who “let the mask eat into her face.”

The Allegations Against Joel Kaplan

The book also raises allegations against‍ Joel Kaplan, ⁤a male manager. Kaplan, also Sandberg’s former boyfriend and a former George W. Bush operative, serves as Meta’s vice president of global policy. ⁣ Careless People alleges Kaplan steered conversations with his direct report in a sexual ⁤direction. Meta has denied‍ these allegations.

The author recounts how Kaplan insisted on video meetings during her maternity leave,”sprawled across his bed,” and asked about breastfeeding. When she disclosed ⁣needing more⁤ surgery, Kaplan repeatedly asked, “were are you bleeding from?”

When the author⁣ tried to transfer out of Kaplan’s department, the transfer was blocked. An examination into Kaplan did not include an interview with her, and the “toxic behavior” firing occurred.

The book also questions Meta’s response, dismissing details such as the Myanmar⁣ genocide as ⁣”old news.” The author suggests that if this represents ⁤policy under Zuckerberg and Kaplan, and⁢ gag ⁤orders represent free speech, then Meta is a global force led by “careless people.”