Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg Named Person of the Year

Young Mark Zuckerberg did the typical thing kids do on Facebook: He used his profile page to announce his reception of Time's Person of the Year award for 2010. Time magazine chose a more traditional approach, with their most popular annual issue showcasing a close-up view of Zuckerberg's piercing blue-green eyes staring from its cover. Zuckerberg earned the subtitle "Connector" as well as Person of the Year.

Zuckerberg isn't quite the youngest Person of the Year (Charles Lindbergh was only 25 in 1928), and definitely not as unpopular as others (Adolph Hitler in 1938 and Time's first Woman of the Year, Wallace Simpson, in 1936.) He changed the face of worldwide networking with a cute computer application designed in a Harvard University dorm room. His fellow students referred to it as "The Facebook," and Zuckerberg amazed everyone with the way it connected students, military buddies, and families. Eventually, it evolved as a valuable business/artistic networking tool. Facebook eclipsed its early rival MySpace within a year. Will Zuckerberg's success continue, or does he face a more painful path into obscurity?

Zuckerberg fits many of the norms seen in reviewing a cumulative list of Time's Person of the Year. He's American, he's male, and he fits a general trend toward computer geniuses. A couple of years earlier, very few people even knew his name, just like one obscure American socialite from a bygone era.

Later known as The Duchess of Windsor, Mrs. Simpson eclipsed every newsworthy story in 1936. As usual, Time's editors detailed why she was selected, noting feminist Carrie Catt wasn't even listing Wallace on her "Ten Women of the Year" listing, hinting of the distaste many felt toward the woman who "forced" abdication. An angry Catt announced "she is not going to name any more women of the years." ("Foreign News: Woman of the Year," Time, Jan 4, 1937, p. 1.)

Defending their choice, the editors seemed to underscore Simpson's impact as unique. In the same article, they predicted she'd work toward becoming as obscure in 1937 as she was before the crisis. Was she successful? Mrs. Simpson remained a celebrity figure in the news until she died in 1986. She summed up her own life in a memorable quote attributed to her across the Internet: "You have no idea how hard it is to live out a great romance." With its integral place in worldwide connectivity, Facebook itself stands strong as Zuckerberg's insurance of immortality. Like the Duchess (or even Diana, the Princess of Wales), he may not be at the same pinnacle of success when he dies. Whatever date in the distant future marks his death, Zuckerberg will make international news.

Historically, Adolph Hitler is an unpopular individual, but logical choice for Time's Man of the Year in 1938. The criteria specify "for better or worse," and The Fuhrer went on to embody the figure of Satan in the minds of his many victims. Hitler was selected for his achievements in Germany's rise back to military power, political supremacy, and for remapping the face of Europe.

In summarizing their choice, the editors seemed puzzled and wary of Hitler's attacks on the Jewish population. At that early date, the mass executions and gassing had not even started. Although he never earned another citation by Time, the horrible actions of Hitler and his henchmen only intensified in the next six years, with him scapegoating a variety of racial and ethnic groups.

Zuckerberg's influence on how computers are used will likely swell, hopefully with far greater positive impact. As the world further develops, new users will likely follow the footsteps of over 500,000 million Facebook members in showing off family photos, documenting milestones, sharing travel tips and highlighting favorite restaurants. I could write volumes on the negative effect of Hitler's Final Solution; for Facebook, I only hope I can stay off it long enough to put up my Christmas Tree this year!

Charles Lindbergh shares many of Mark Zuckerberg's best qualities. He was a youthful, adventurous, and charismatic American man who probably inspired as many would-be pilots as Zuckerberg influences computer users. Similarly, the invention "Lucky Lindy" popularized is essential in our lives today, while our computer's favorite application is vital for so many users. Parents follow their children's lives at college through a wealth of forums highlighted and augmented by universities. Grandparents living in Florida watch videos of their grandson's first steps in Alaska. My deployed nephew-in-law not only has a Facebook profile, his unit updates us with several pages of "down in the trenches" photographs and up-to-the-minute information exchange. Young Airman Basic Dan St. Onge, from our small hometown of Saint Ignace, Michigan, flew off to Lackland AFB just after Thanksgiving. Within days, his sister Virginia connected with me on Facebook, so he'll receive his Christmas card in time. Both air travel and data exchange are easy, routine matters thanks to innovative heroes like Charles Lindbergh and Mark Zuckerberg.

Sources:

Time Man of the Year (Complete list from 1927-2004)

Mark Zuckerberg Biography (Wikipedia)

Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook Profile

BBC News Profile on Wallace Simpson