Source: AFP
Aaron Sorkin, the Oscar-winning writer of “The Social Network,” is working on a follow-up film about Facebook that will explore the company’s role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Sorkin, who depicted the creation and early years of Facebook in 2010’s “The Social Network,” said the tech giant has since played a major role in the intense political polarization of the United States.
“I’m going to write about it. I blame Facebook for January 6,” he said.
Sorkin, who also created TV’s “The West Wing” and the movie “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” revealed the budding project during a live taping of “The Town” podcast this week.
He accused Mark Zuckerberg — co-founder and CEO of Facebook’s parent company Meta — of prioritizing growth over integrity, despite his already enormous personal wealth.
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“Facebook, among other things, has adjusted its algorithm to promote as much divisive material as possible, because that will increase engagement,” he said.
“This is what will lead you to what they call in the corridors of Facebook, the ‘infinite scroll’.”
Asked why exactly Facebook was responsible for January 6, he replied: “You’ll need to buy a movie ticket.”
Many Americans rely on social media platforms like Facebook for their news.
Tech companies have been accused of both failing to verify widely shared news — including viral conspiracy theories — and over-censoring what they show.
Hundreds of people stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021, motivated by then-President Donald Trump’s false claim that the election had been “stolen” from him.
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Some cited conspiracy theories like QAnon.
“The Social Network,” directed by David Fincher, was a huge commercial and critical success.
It earned approximately $225 million at the worldwide box office and was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It won three Academy Awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay for Sorkin.
Sorkin had previously floated the idea of a “follow-up,” telling the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast that he would be interested, as long as Fincher agreed to return as director.
Fincher told the Guardian last year that he has discussed the project with Sorkin, but warned that looking back at Facebook would be “a can of worms”.
Source: AFP