Join us as we delve into the fascinating story of Meta (formerly Facebook), a company whose products are used by nearly half the world's population daily. This episode explores Meta's journey from its origins at Harvard to its current status as a tech behemoth. We'll unpack the key decisions, challenges, and strategies that have shaped Meta, while also examining the unique leadership of Mark Zuckerberg.

• Early Days and Explosive Growth: We trace the company’s beginnings, from Mark Zuckerberg’s early projects like FaceMash and CourseMatch to the launch of thefacebook.com and its rapid adoption. Discover how the initial focus on college students led to a massive expansion.
• Key Pivotal Moments: Learn about crucial moments such as the introduction of the Newsfeed, the move to mobile, and the acquisition of Instagram. We will analyze how these events shaped the company's trajectory.
• Challenges and Controversies: We confront the numerous controversies surrounding Meta, including data privacy issues like the Cambridge Analytica scandal, the spread of misinformation, and the impact of social media on mental health.
• The Shift to AI and the Metaverse: We discuss Meta's current pivot towards AI and the metaverse, including the development of Llama, and their long-term vision for AR and VR with projects like Orion.
• Business and Strategy: We analyze Meta's business model, its advertising strategies, and how it has evolved over time. We'll also explore the unique competitive advantages that have enabled Meta to achieve persistent differential returns.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how Meta became such a dominant force in the tech world and how it continues to adapt to the rapidly evolving technological landscape. We’ll also explore the ongoing societal battles and platform shifts that will likely define the company's future, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the past, present, and future of technology.