booksbydorothea: REVIEW - Careless People (audiobook)

Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

This audiobook was mind-blowing about Facebook (now META)! Yes, I realize this book is only from the author's viewpoint, but I believe her. #MeToo

So much of what Sarah discusses all sorts of issues from work calls on her maternity leave, work travel while almost full-term pregnant, personal questions by male colleagues, and sexual harassment rings true. Ask any woman over thirty if she has experienced any of these issues and sexual harassment will be the top issue. Sexual harassment is alive and well in corporate America, sadly. I don't have the answers to address this, but having ethics in human resources is a start.

Yes, this book spills a lot of tea. Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg do not come out well at all. History will judge them for their actions/inactions.

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

The writing by Sarah was good, but not great literature. It was not meant to be that, but to get the true story of Facebook out there.

She succeeded. I constantly had my jaw drop by the unbelievably ignorant and money-driven decisions at the expense of lives. Un-freaking-believable!

Narration: 4.0 stars

The narration is by Sarah, the author, which is my preference. My only issue was not understanding, at times, her New Zealand accent.

Character Arc: 4.0 stars

Holy crap on a cracker. The author actively seeks to work at Facebook in global public policy as she sees the impact social media will have. But, she has no idea the quagmire she is stepping into. It is all about money, money, money; work, work, work. Yes, start-ups are like this. But, Facebook was established at this point.

Sarah gives some background on her life experiences before Facebook and then starts sharing her chronological time working there until her firing.

Memorable: 4.0 stars

The focus on "What Mark or Sheryl wants, Mark or Sheryl gets" at Facebook was ridiculous. They had many advisors who were experts in their fields, but they always seemed to know more. The issues with China, Myanmar, and the U.S. elections are troubling.

Social media has become too powerful without any checks and balances. We need strong controls now, especially for young people ages 13-25. It is unbelievable that children and young adults are being exploited with targeted advertising. Disgusting!

I was one of those people who didn't buy into Sheryl Sandberg's "Lean In" manifesto. From what Sarah indicates, I had good instincts in this regard.

Some of the stories that Sarah shared made my blood boil! I only wish that she had left sooner before her health was affected.

Entertaining: 4.0 stars

At times, the stories that Sarah shared were funny!

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Perfect.

Book title: 5.0 stars

On point!

DEFINITE recommend

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook

Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams