The New Era Defined

The "New Era" of the 21st century was defined in 2004. This era has given birth to a new form of communication, a new form of opportunity, a new form of business, and a new form of hope. The world changed in 2004. Or, at least, would change in the years to come after a defining moment in world history. This moment was as monumental as the World Wars; it stemmed from the actions of a young man as influential as the most powerful political leaders on the planet; the moment was the launching of Facebook. I have been waiting a long time to write on the famous topic of the Facebook Era, and now I will describe what Mark Zuckerberg's creation means to the world.

We can consider the direct effects that accompany the development of a social network with half a billion active users. But that discussion would just scratch the surface of the impact that the 2004 college student's invention would have on society today. Obviously our form of communication has changed. Instead of calling or texting, we write on a "friend's" "wall" and then "like" their "comment" when we see their reply in our "notifications". Instead of sending post cards, we "tag" our family in pictures and post them into our "newsfeed". Life is different. And it is all because of Facebook. But this blog is not about the physical components of Facebook, or any of the entrepreneurial ventures we analyze. Rather, let us focus on the even greater success of Facebook...that is, showing the young ambitious minds of today, how to create brightness for the world's tomorrow. Transcending its actual elements and capabilities, Facebook has revealed to society the prominence of the new era in which we live. It has defined the internet age, the virtual life, and the fiber-optic world. And what is so amazing, and what earned Zuckerberg and his Facebook invention recognition on this discussion board, is the fact that he accomplished such a monumental feat at the age of 20. Just out of his teenage years and into college life, Zuckerberg, better than anyone, understood the business of success.

The innovative genius saw that to be successful, you do not necessarily need to focus on making money. You need to focus on the merit of your ideas. And so, Zuckerberg, who rents his modest home in southern California and walks to work each day, refuses to emphasize his monetary success in discussing the value of Facebook to him as a CEO. Rather, he focuses on the aspect of achievement, moving the world forward, and realizing the full potentials of an idea he had as an undergraduate at Harvard.

Zuckerberg proved that young people can make a difference, young people can be successful, and young people can achieve. He took an idea, connected it with action, and proved that taking the extra step, applying effort, and believing in your vision can pay off. And it has paid off. Without the belief, without the desire, and without the motivation of the young computer programmer, the world wouldn't be the same. Consider your actions, your ideas and your potentials. Recognize your talents, your skills and your dreams. But don't just consider, don't just recognize...because ideation without action is futile. And if you know this, and believe this, you too have the chance to alter the world's methods of communication, monopolize the space of computer screens worldwide, and change the dynamics of social relationships forever, just as Facebook has done.

I looked around my lecture hall the other day, and I found that 7 out of the 8 laptops around me were open not to the class lecture slides for organizational behavior, but rather to Facebook. They were all on the same site. Doing the same thing. I thought: "how could one person impact the lives of so many people? Has Mark Zuckerberg taken over the world?" The truth is...maybe he has. He was able to change many processes in the lives of millions. An idea that is scary, but fascinating. His work, in reality has come to define the new age in which we live. Everything can be done on the internet. We talk to each other on the internet. We look at each other on the internet. We argue, fight, discuss, analyze, express ourselves, plan activities, book events, make purchases, socialize, innovate, create, and ideate on the internet. "The world is flat" as Thomas Friedman points out in his fascinating book. Facebook has contributed to the leveling of the world. How? Why? Well, Facebook is everywhere. It's impacts are everywhere. When you look around a classroom, look on random websites, or watch commercials, you see links to Facebook. Facebook is huge. But what is Facebook? What do people see in their virtual friendships that is so appealing? What are people doing on Facebook? It's simple, they're connecting with the rest of the world through the creation of a young man who believed in himself, believed in his vision, and believed in the business of success.