Derek Chan

Careless People is marketed as a cautionary tale from inside Facebook (now Meta), written by former public policy director Sarah Wynn-Williams. While the book promises to shed light on the ethical breakdowns and leadership failures of one of the world’s most powerful tech companies, it often veers into one-sided storytelling, personal grievances, and cultural oversimplifications. One of the most troubling sections for me was the portrayal of Myanmar. As someone familiar with the country and its digital landscape, I found the author’s commentary not only reductive but also inaccurate. Her reference to a hotel in Myanmar, and sweeping claims about the country’s interaction with Facebook, lack nuance and context. There’s no real attempt to understand the socio-political realities on the ground or the efforts of local professionals trying to navigate a complex digital era. The narrative comes across as condescending and irresponsibly generalized. Much of the book centers around criticisms of Sheryl Sandberg, often delving into petty detail. From Sandberg’s thoughts on McDonald’s to her behavior in meetings with foreign leaders, the author paints a picture that feels more personal than professional. While criticism of leadership is necessary, Careless People seems more interested in exposing personalities than examining policies. Furthermore, Wynn-Williams presents herself as a voice of conscience within Facebook, but fails to reflect meaningfully on her own participation in the company’s decision-making. There’s little in the way of self-examination or acknowledgment of the complexity of her own role. In summary: Careless People is a provocative but flawed memoir. It offers moments of insight but ultimately lacks the balance, humility, and global understanding needed to truly elevate the conversation around big tech’s impact on the world. Instead of holding power to account, it often feels like an attempt to settle personal scores.