In a 5,800-word letter he posted publicly, the Mr. Zuckerberg expressed alarm
that what was once considered normal — seeking global connection — was now seen by people and governments around the world as something undesirable.
In that letter, he wrote that the social network “was built to accomplish a social mission — to make the world more open and connected.”
The default assumption was that the world was just incrementally moving in that direction.
“I really don’t have much doubt that this is the right direction to go in the long term.”
The letter is filled with abstract ideas, including the notion of “social infrastructure”
and how to create stronger online communities, with few detailed steps about how to realize those goals.
Mr. Zuckerberg said his reasons for writing the updated letter began to take
shape before last year’s presidential election, spurred by broader trends.
The letter comes close to a political statement by a chief executive who, as the leader of a global
company, is essentially arguing against a tide of isolationism that is rising across the world.
A key moment for Mr. Zuckerberg’s shift in thinking about how to be a global company happened six months ago.
Now, that’s actually a real question.”
Mr. Zuckerberg released his missive amid a fierce debate over the merits of globalization.