On Tuesday evening, the Chase Center in San Francisco wasn’t filled with basketball fans but tech enthusiasts eager to hear from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Appearing on stage alongside the hosts of the popular *Acquired* podcast, David Rosenthal and Ben Gilbert, Zuckerberg was ready to share his latest thoughts on business, politics, and Meta's future.
Right from the start, Zuckerberg made it clear that he’s entering a new chapter in both his professional and personal life. Kicking off with a playful jab at the potential for controversy, he said his days of constant apologies are over. This comment set the tone for what was a candid conversation about his evolving leadership style and how he’s learned to navigate the tricky waters of the tech industry.
Zuckerberg’s shift in attitude is part of a broader rebranding that he’s been cultivating. From raising cattle in Hawaii to wearing a self-designed T-shirt that reads “learning through suffering” in Greek, Zuckerberg is embracing a more laid-back, unconventional persona. But the core of his conversation on stage was about his reflections on the political missteps that have haunted Facebook and his desire to move forward.
Addressing past criticisms of Facebook’s role in shaping political discourse, Zuckerberg reflected on what he called a "20-year mistake" — a political miscalculation where he felt Facebook took too much blame for issues outside its control. His comments were a subtle reference to the fallout from the 2016 U.S. election, where Facebook was scrutinized for how Cambridge Analytica and foreign actors used the platform to sway voter behavior. While Zuckerberg didn’t delve too deeply into specifics, he hinted at his dissatisfaction with how much responsibility Facebook shouldered.
Despite his past regrets, Zuckerberg’s recent actions show a shift in how he’s handling political issues. In August, he sent a letter to House Republicans acknowledging his regret over how Meta handled misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing that government pressure played a role in some of the company's decisions. Going forward, Zuckerberg says he’ll push back if faced with similar demands.
Meta’s platforms remain central to billions of users, but Zuckerberg is increasingly focused on projects outside social media, such as AR glasses, VR goggles, and AI technology. He’s intent on transforming Meta into a “human connection” company, a shift away from the social media juggernaut that has defined much of his career.
Pressed on whether he regrets rebranding Facebook to Meta, he responded simply, "Meta is a good name." It’s clear that while Zuckerberg is enthusiastic about Meta’s future in new technologies, his legacy as the architect of social media still looms large.
With Meta at a crossroads, Zuckerberg’s appearance at the Chase Center signaled a desire to evolve, both personally and professionally, while steering his company toward a new era.
