Facebook movie’s screenwriter Aaron Sorkin hates the net

Facebook, Facebook, Facebook!

Facebook is everywhere. I mean who doesn’t have a Facebook (or should I say ‘fb’) these days? Plus, it’s always in the news, don’t you think?

This isn’t surprising though because it’s something so enormous and influential that it was inevitable that the social network would receive the Hollywood treatment.

Source: Gamer Poop

While the movie, titled The Social Network, has so far been mostly well received, it has also copped a lot for its portrayal of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

However, blogger Jeff Jarvis points out in Shane Richmond’s article that the real issue is the movie’s dismissal of “all this Internet stuff” where it’s alleged that the movie’s screenwriter, Aaron Sorkin, hates the Internet. 

And it is this issue that drives Richmond’s post.

Its headline draws us in immediately as it’s straightforward. What is particularly interesting is the paradox that he uses. I mean, why would someone who doesn’t like the internet, write a screenplay for a movie on online media?

A little strange perhaps but the headline’s ambiguity is what draws readers in as they feel compelled to investigate this piece of information. Well, dunno about you but it certainly peaked my interest.

While the start of the article is nothing out of the ordinary, the author cleverly maintains our attention by throwing at us the film’s “big name creators” – Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing and A Few Good Men) and David Fincher (Seven and Fight Club).

The Social Network movie poster. Source: MTV

The short length of the post is also effective in addressing (and alleviating!) the readers’ (short) attention span. Moreover, juxtaposing the words ‘500 MILLION FRIENDS’ in the cropped image (of the movie poster) and the words “a lonely nerd” in the sentence above it is ab-so-lu-te-ly brilliant! 

In terms of sources, the use of two and the provision of their original links, provide credibility, open up discussion and encourage you to form your own opinions. In other words this topic is highly debatable and that’s what makes Richmond’s post all the more interesting.

Sorkin’s first quote – “There’s just too much bad information getting out there and…that’s mostly the fault of the Internet, which isn’t held to any standards of accuracy” – was well selected as it indirectly invites us to join the conversation in the comment box provided.

What’s even greater is that, because it concerns Facebook, ANYONE can join the conversation. This ‘online story on an online social media’ reaches an extensive audience from all around the globe.

…Now is there any chance for a Twitter movie? Anyone?