Sidewalk Film Center Birmingham, AL
Dr. Elliot Panek
Associate Professor of Journalism & Creative Media at The University of Alabama
The Social Network— The Science of Socials
Program Description
What can two decades of research tell us about Facebook? Dr. Elliot Panek of the University of Alabama examines the question from sociological and psychological perspectives.
Presented At
Sidewalk Film Center Birmingham, AL
Film Synopsis
Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg creates the social networking site that would become known as Facebook, but is later sued by two brothers, who claim he stole their idea, and the co-founder who was squeezed out of the business.
In 2003, Harvard undergrad and computer genius Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) begins work on a new concept that eventually turns into the global social network known as Facebook. Six years later, he is one of the youngest billionaires ever. But Zuckerberg finds that his unprecedented success leads to both personal and legal complications when he ends up on the receiving end of two lawsuits, one involving his former friend (Andrew Garfield). Directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin, this film was adapted from Ben Mezrich's 2009 book The Accidental Billionaires, and won three Academy Awards.
About the Speaker
Elliot Panek studies the uses and effects of social media from sociological and psychological perspectives. He is the author of Understanding Reddit and has published research in top-tier academic journals on the social dynamics of online communities, social media and narcissism, texting while driving, media addiction, and media use and political polarization. He is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Alabama where he directs the master’s program in Journalism & Creative Media, mentors Ph.D. and undergraduate students, and teaches courses on social media, communication research methods, and film history.