3 January 2017 , Mark Zuckerberg posted on his Facebook page a new application. "Every year I face the need to learn new things and grow outside of their work, - wrote the founder of the social network of their 84 million subscribers. - Recently, I ran 365 miles, I created a simple AI for your home, I read 25 books and learned the Chinese language. My personal challenge to 2017 year - to visit in every US state and communicate with the people ".
He described the upcoming trip as a learning journey in "turning point in history", because technology and globalization have led to "an even stronger sense of split, than, that he had ever felt ". Communication with people, According to him, "Will help determine the direction of work in the Facebook and fund Chan-Zuckerberg (CZI)».
Soon, however, the public and the press began to perceive such a carefully planned trip as a presidential campaign before the election Zuckerberg 2020 of the year. 33-year-old billionaire has hired a photographer, before filming for the White House. He portrays Zuckerberg in the style of the Obama - as a man of the people.
Several ex-politicians, including former assistant to Senator Tim Kane, helps entrepreneurs in the organization of meetings. Zuckerberg visited a rehabilitation center for drug addicts in Ohio, I traveled to Iowa, in the pastry shop, where Mitt Romney once did milkshakes, and briefly looked at the assembly line in Detroit.
During the trip, the billionaire denied, that he intends to join the presidential race. However, rumors persist and even find confirmation in the facts. So, Zuckerberg attracted Joel Benenson, former specialist surveys Hillary Clinton, for advice on the do with his wife Charity Fund, which also helps with travel arrangements. And in the fund, and Facebook say, Zuckerberg still has no plans to run for president.
"Mark is very clearly explained, what do you want him to these meetings with people, including the publication of its January, dedicated call 2017 ", - representative told Wired Facebook. In the fund say, that cooperation with the project is Benenson, rather than long-term.
Setting Zuckerberg ignores the obvious parallels with election campaign, and he claims the billionaire, the trip - is "an opportunity to get out of the bubble of San Francisco". maybe, he succeeded, but it can not be overlooked, how carefully polished were his conclusions, published on a personal page.
In February 2017 of the year, visit the memorial of the Civil War in Mississippi, Zuckerberg expressed surprise, that the legacy of slavery continues to this day.
In the past few days, I was amazed, how our history is part of our daily life. Black and white family from the same town in Mississippi - is, apparently, descendants of former slaves and masters. These times are so close to us, that older people can recount the history of slavery and the Civil War, told by their grandparents.
In June 2017 year after visiting the world's largest cargo station in Walcott, Iowa, Zuckerberg asked truckers, what they think of self-governing transport. "Everything, I talked to, are skeptical, that autonomous trucks will carry out their work, - he said. - Interesting, that people in the industry do not believe in the imminent arrival of these changes ".
In the middle of July 2017 year on an oil rig in the North Dakota Zuckerberg, known fighter against climate change, I talked with a group of geologists, oil and ordinary workers, to learn about the prospects of fracturing.
Several people told me, they felt, if the government wants to deprive them of their livelihood, but when Trump endorsed pipeline [Dakota Access], they once again felt hope. Interestingly this side look at the situation, when mining is considered to be the cause of climate change, which will become one of the greatest problems of humanity
Zuckerberg - onlooker, and he can change his opinion about other people. Ambient influence on him. But in his travel notes, you will not read about Americans, expressing a clear hatred, racism or other views, common to set up their social network.
He often ends his text argument of the "word of the year" in Facebook (This time it was the "community", rather than "relationship", how in 2016) or its business and philanthropic interests. Collection of publications Zuckerberg may serve as a guide for corporate ambiguity. It takes a lot of work, to write so much and say so little.
If Zuckerberg is trying to build a political base, his message should be similar to his recent speech at Harvard, where he admired the use of solar energy and environmentally friendly production.
What are we waiting? It's time for public affairs, which will define our generation. How about, to stop climate change, until we destroy the planet, and attract millions of people in the production and installation of solar panels?
His publications are not aimed at rallying readers around the ideological platform. They are based on the pathos and poignancy forced. However Zuckerberg accumulates valuable social currency. For the technological leaders in the world after Trump's ability to talk about life outside their sphere - an advantage, which makes the silent critics and opens up broad prospects.
Meanwhile Zuckerberg collects subscribers (in August 2017 year there are more than 94 millions) and huskies. The comments users praise him for his sketches of people and places, they do not meet in their news feeds.
His texts are read as local news, National Correspondent written by Mark Zuckerberg, which makes up for the lack of personnel in the newspaper industry. His fans say: "It is much more than any other technology executives. What more can you ask for Director General?»
They are right. For Zuckerberg is impossible to oppose the conservatives, who nearly attacked his own, when considered, he played up to political leaders in using Facebook traffic. It does not irritate China, where Facebook, Like other technology companies, I sacrifice their principles for a chance to gain a foothold in the market.
It does not attract the attention of antitrust authorities and Congressmen, who are concerned about, Is Trump campaign helped Russian feykovye news on Facebook and used whether Russian scouts Facebook, to spy on a foreign leader. The most important thing, that he can not look bad in the eyes of their voters - two billion users of Facebook.
For the same reasons it was too risky to run for president. Last political project, which he did - he created this special political action committee.
This organization has funded advertising Republicans, who advocated the construction of Keystone XL pipeline. This was done to support the immigration bill, from which, according to critics, Facebook won. This is the normal political process, but it has led to accusations of hypocrisy and bribery.
If Zuckerberg is so limited in its expression, his personal political ambitions almost do not matter. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe him about the unwillingness to run for president. Even if he was going to do it, in care, probably, would have no chance: A recent survey showed, Zuckerberg and Trump could get by 40% votes in 2020 year.
But, on the same data, 47% voters are indifferent to Zuckerberg, but 29% treat it negatively. Poll also showed, Trump would have lost any other Democrat except Zuckerberg.
I want to believe, that Zuckerberg's trip has another purpose, Considering Facebook audience, for 13 years grown to two billion users. Most disturbing tendency of the founder of the social network to consolidate power, as evidenced by the growth rates and the impact of Facebook.
Do not easily trust a person, which is responsible for the, that the world lives his life on the Internet. Its platform has been criticized for making a false representation of reality. It is especially necessary to take into account, Zuckerberg responds to this fear lies the production of interactions, based on cultural stereotypes. He translates the filtered thus presenting via Facebook, distorting our perception.
