Blog #7 The Social Network

While watching "The Social Network" many critical approaches can be taken. In a Philosophical point of view we can learn a lesson from Mark and his many complications due to his strive for money, and want of being "cool". Looking at a Marxist point of view we can see that money plays a major role in each character's life.

When we look at Marks actions we pretend like no one acts that way, but in reality it is everywhere. Looking at this through a larger scale, we can say that money is the reason for people's greed, it makes them in a sense act the way they do. Once you have a little, you want more. People don't have any sense of control when it comes to money. Marks actions teach us that money can't always buy happiness. His actions also teach us that wanting more isn't a bad thing, but having too much can create a huge disaster.  For example, Mark already had a good business going with Eduardo, but he continued to push for more.  In the end he only thought about himself, and how much money his social network could potentially make.  Money complicated his life more than it made him happy.  Money doesn't always buy happiness, and that is the lesson being taught in the social network.

The Marxist lens can also be connected to money. Each character in this movie is driven by money. They are so driven by it that they go as far as risking their relationships with friends. Which we do see Mark lose Eduardos friendship.  Money wasn't the main reason to Facebook being created, but eventually that was what it was all about.  It wasn't about the socializing anymore, it became only about the money.  Money caused these characters to fall apart, socially.  For an example we can look at the Winklevoss twins.  They were bigshots at Harvard, and were known for their success.  Money was already a part of their life, but they always wanted more. They couldn't stand someone below them, being more successful then them.  Just because they were rich, and their names were big they thought they could have whatever they wanted.  Money has played a big role in their lives, and always will.