WeWork

It's hard to write this review without using cliches such as 'millennials are the new/improved boomers' but I'll give it a go.

When an entire generation is so willing to buy into a hivemind idea such as WeWorks, it says more about the society we live in rather than the generation, itself.

That being said, charismatic leaders seem to emerge today with so many bells and whistles that it's hard to denounce their likable aspects without being castigated from society. Despite ample evidence to support the thesis, many threw caution to the wind to prop up this snake oil salesman (and his incredibly insufferable wife) for the 'greater good'- despite all evidence to the contrary.

What's most appalling is, his lack of responsibility and his ability to leap from this unscathed- with millions upon millions of dollars and untold stock options, with absolutely no reasonable accountability on his behalf.

At what point does society start to value the whistleblowers who are sounding the alarms well ahead of the catastrophic events that lead to inevitable destruction? When we have untold resources to explore and contradict even the most enigmatic megalomaniac, and not a single journalist with esteemed credentials will finally stand against the wave of backlash to say 'enough is enough, we're building a hero out of a pile of dung!'

Society created this monster, and far too many people went willingly down his path to sing 'KUMBAYAH!' but lacked, I don't know, confidence I guess?, to ask reasonable questions that likely lead to this nutjob being unemployed.

What this documentary shows us is a whole gaggle of people who suspected a fraud, but couldn't admit to themselves (or others) what he truly was, and even more people far too naive and inexperienced to know that this was a scam of immeasurable proportions.

We're so focused on teaching college students the ins and outs of virtues and justice that we're neglecting to teach rational and cognitive skills. As well as parents so willing to perform mental gymnastics in order to appease these little egomaniacs, that there's no ability to discern right/wrong or decent/immoral on their own.

A solid documentary that points out these fatal flaws we've inflicted on an entire generation- now only if we are able to glean the necessary information to affect real change.

Throughout watching all i kept thinking was how would Tommy Wiseau rent office space? And what kind of summer camp would he run? And what would his S1 look like?

Not the first time Hulu fails to think things through. The documentary -especially in the beginning- is simply boring. They spent an inordinate amount of time to describe the atmosphere at WeWork. And so little time in describing the intricate details of the downfall or the buildup to the downfall (more importantly).

Overall I thought this was well done. It's shocking how a company can grow to a giant but is made of fluff. I enjoyed everything except the end. It seemed like they had no idea how to end it and decided to do something with masks? Just strange.

I would argue that the saddest part about WeWork are not the hyped employees who got heartbroken and ripped off. It's that CEO Adam Neumann recklessly besmirched his own beautiful, heartfelt vision and also tarnished how the world will perceive anyone else trying to change the world.

I believe he was honestly trying to make his vision come to life. Because even a pro narcissist manipulator can only fool so many people before they smell he's not ALL IN on what he's selling. Neumann was. But at some point, probably when the big bucks started coming in, he started prioritising himself over his vision. Unbeknownst to him, that's when, how and why he killed WeWork.

Strangely enough, what the world clearly needed was Adam Neumann destroying his beautiful concept WeWork by rushing its expansion and wasting time faking profitability when he should have been investing that time into finding sustainable financial solutions. I think we also needed the Elizabeth Holmes Theranos deception, too.

From the ashes of their irresponsible vanity better, more accountable leaders will emerge. Thanks to Adam Neumann, the world will now tolerate fewer and fewer Adam Neumanns and call them on their BS quicker and with more ferocity.

Because what we really, truly need is a deeply embedded accountability in our judicial system so that the Adam Neumanns of the world DO NOT get to have a lavish pay day after wreaking havoc on so many lives but instead serve time in a prison.