types of aloe vera plants and their benefits Aloe Vera
SKU: 21024343898
types of aloe vera plants and their benefits

types of aloe vera plants and their benefits Aloe Vera

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types of aloe vera plants and their benefits Aloe VeraIntroducing the fabulous Aloe Vera plant also known as Aloe barbadensis 'miller,' it is also known as a medicinal aloe and burn plant. The Aloe vera plant is by far the most popular out of over 400 varieties of the Aloe genus. This incredible tropical succulent is not your average houseplant. It's a superstar known for its leaves, which hold a magical aloe vera gel for soothing sunburn and as a popular drink to help your stomach. This large Aloe vera

Introducing the fabulous Aloe Vera plant- also known as Aloe barbadensis 'miller,' it is also known as a medicinal aloe and burn plant. The Aloe vera plant is by far the most popular out of over 400 varieties of the Aloe genus.

This incredible tropical succulent is not your average houseplant. It's a superstar known for its leaves, which hold a magical aloe vera gel for soothing sunburn and as a popular drink to help your stomach.

This large Aloe vera plant boasts fleshy lance-shaped grey-green leaves with small white teeth along the edges growing out from a starfish-like basal rosette. 

The edible aloe vera flowers burst into bloom in vibrant shades of yellow at the tips of their stalks when given favorable conditions. Only mature plants will yield flowers, so you'll have to wait at least four years to see an aloe vera bloom. However, in some growing conditions (especially hybrid plants), the flowers can sometimes appear with orange or reddish hues. 

This fast-growing succulent can grow into a large aloe vera plant up to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide and even produce adorable pups that you can repot or share as delightful gifts with fellow plant enthusiasts.

How to Get Aloe Vera Gel from the plant to use on your skin

  1. Choose and Cut a Leaf: Select a large, healthy leaf from the bottom of the plant. Use a sharp knife to cut the entire leaf off at the base.
  2. Prepare the Leaf: Let the leaf sit upright in a container for 10–15 minutes to allow the yellow sap (aloin) to drain out. This sap can be irritating to the skin.
  3. Slice and Extract the Gel: For a small amount of gel, cut a section from the leaf rather than using the whole thing. Slice the leaf lengthwise to expose the gel. Use a spoon or knife to scoop out the clear gel.
  4. Apply or Store: Apply directly to your skin for soothing relief. Store extra gel in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days.

Aloe vera juice has many benefits for humans, this succulent rich in antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, may enhance digestion, blood sugar levels, and oral health, although certain compounds, particularly aloin, may cause digestive discomfort and other side effects.

An aloe vera indoor plant is a great addition to any home, as it is easy to aloe vera care for and provides a variety of aloe vera benefits. 

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties that can help in wound healing. It can also help to moisturize the skin and prevent peeling.

When and How to Water Your Aloe Vera 

As a desert dweller, watering the aloe vera succulent may be tricky, it may shrivel and die if given too little water, but it may also easily rot when given excessive water. So be careful not to overwater your aloe plantyou only want to give it enough to keep it from drying out completely, not drown it! 

A good rule of thumb is to water the Aloe plants deeply and then allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. In the spring and summer, during the growing season, watering can be done once every 2-3 weeks.

During the winter months, when aloe vera is in a dormant period, it can be watered even less frequently. If you live in a rainy climate, consider planting aloe in gravel or stones. 

It is also important to note that aloe vera plants are sensitive to water quality. They prefer water that is low in minerals and salts, so it is best to use distilled or filtered water. Tap water can be used, but it should be left out for 24 hours before watering the plant to allow the chlorine to evaporate.

Light Requirements - Where to Place Your Aloe Vera Plant 

When growing indoors as a houseplant, place the aloe vera a few feet away from the south-facing window that receives plenty of sunlight, but it is important to avoid direct sunlight, as this can cause the leaves to burn. If the aloe plant is not receiving enough light, the leaves will start to droop and turn brown. In this case, it may be necessary to move the aloe vera plant to a brighter location. 

When planted outdoors, your Aloe plants need their daily dose of sunshine like a beach-loving teenager needs their favorite tunes!

They thrive on at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight, soaking up those glorious rays with joy.

But wait, before you go dragging your aloe plant from its cozy shady spot into the blazing sun, be cautious. That sudden move can dry out your leafy buddy and leave it looking as yellow as a lemon.  

Now imagine you live in one of those cooler climates where clouds have permanent residency or if your home lacks these sunny windows altogether.

Fear not; you can use artificial lights – they're like little suns in bulb form! Hang them about one to two feet above your precious plant during daylight hours (that's roughly 16 hours per day) and watch it flourish happily amidst dim interiors.

Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs 

Aloe vera plants prefer well-draining soil that is a mixture of sand, perlite, and peat moss. It is critical to avoid soil that retains excessive moisture, as this can cause root rot. Instead, make or buy a well-draining potting mix, or ideally use our specialized succulent potting mix soil for aloe vera that contains 5 natural substrates and mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your succulent to thrive.  

In terms of fertilizer, aloe succulents do not require a lot of nutrients. They can be fertilized once a year in the spring with a balanced fertilizer (NPK) of 5-10-5 in ratio. It is important not to over-fertilize the aloe plant, as this can lead to root burn. 

Hardiness Zones & More 

When grown indoors as a houseplant, aloe vera plants prefer a warm and dry environment. They thrive in temperatures between 60°F and 80°F. Aloe vera is a succulent, so it's adapted to arid conditions and doesn't do well in overly humid environments. Aim for a humidity level of around 30% to 40% for your indoor aloe vera plant.

In the United States, this is mostly an indoor plant, but if you live in southern Florida or Hawaii then you can cultivate it outdoors in USDA zones 9-11

Aloe vera can tolerate temperatures as low as 40°F for short periods, but prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can damage or kill the plant. If you live in a colder climate, it's best to keep your aloe vera indoors or provide protection during winter months.

Aloe vera plants prefer dry air and do not require high levels of humidity. They can tolerate low humidity levels and do not need to be misted or placed in a humid environment. 

Wildlife - Aloe Vera Attracts the Following Friendly Pollinators

Aloe vera plants attract a variety of friendly pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These pollinators are essential for the reproduction of aloe vera plants, as they help transfer pollen between flowers, ultimately leading to the production of seeds. Additionally, these pollinators play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Butterflies
Bees
Hummingbirds
Lady Bugs
Multi Pollinators
Other Birds

According to the ASPCA, the Aloe vera can be mildly toxic to pets and humans. It is rare but can occur if consumed in large quantities and can cause abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and electrolyte imbalances. It is important to consult a healthcare professional if you experience any adverse effects from consuming aloe vera.

How to Propagate Your Aloe Vera Plant

To propagate your aloe vera plant, you can separate the offsets or "pups" that grow at the base of the main plant. Gently remove these pups and plant them in their own pots with well-draining soil to encourage root growth. Water sparingly until they establish themselves, and place them in a sunny spot to promote healthy growth.

Aloe Vera: The Natural Sunburn Remedy


Aloe vera gel is known for its ability to moisturize the skin, it helps soothe burns and sunburns, as well as being known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Aloe Vera is also rich in vitamins and minerals that are essential for healthy skin. It is best to use pure aloe gel extracted directly from an aloe vera plant.

To use aloe vera gel to soothe sunburns, cut off a piece of the large aloe vera leaf and open it to reveal the gel.

To maintain the aesthetic appeal of your aloe plant, it is advisable to cut off the entire leaf of the large aloe vera plant when cutting one. Just chop the leaf off as close to the main stem as you can. Cutting leaves from the base of the plant is always preferable. These leaves will be thicker since they are older. If you cut off the tip of a leaf, it will eventually turn brown at the tip because cut leaves keep their scars.

Key Takeaways

  1. Aloe vera is renowned for its medicinal properties, particularly its soothing gel, which is widely used for treating burns, wounds, and skin irritations. Its natural compounds, like aloin and acemannan, have anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
  2. When cut, aloe vera can seal its own wounds by producing protective latex, showcasing its remarkable survival mechanism in harsh environments.
  3. Aloe vera is not just a skincare savior; it also purifies indoor air by removing harmful pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene, making it a great addition to homes and offices.
  4. Native to arid regions, aloe vera thrives in minimal water conditions. It stores water in its thick, fleshy leaves, allowing it to endure prolonged droughts.
  5. The inner gel of aloe vera leaves is edible and used in drinks and food for its health benefits, such as aiding digestion, boosting immunity, and providing hydration. Always ensure proper preparation to remove any bitter or toxic compounds.
  6. The presence of yellow flower buds is a strong indicator of the edible variety.

The Bottom Line

Overall, Aloe vera is a popular plant known for its healing properties and versatility. It has gained popularity for its ability to help heal wounds, cuts, and burns, including sunburns. The gel inside the aloe vera leaves contains soothing and moisturizing properties that can provide relief and promote healing. In terms of care, aloe vera is relatively low-maintenance. It thrives in well-draining soil and requires moderate watering. It prefers bright, indirect sunlight but can tolerate some shade. 

A lot of people have a hard time finding large aloe vera plants, but here at Planet Desert, we regularly have large sizes in stock. Don't miss out on adding an Aloe vera plant for sale to your garden! Order now and enjoy its beauty for years to come. 

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Hans O Karlsson
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 3
Good introduction, but outdated now with Godot 4
Format: Kindle
It was a great introduction to Godot 3, but now after Godot 4 is out, the water plugin doesn’t work anymore used in the book.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2024
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Timothy Bumpus
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 2
Good, but only for complete beginners who haven’t seen the tutorials on the Godot website
Format: Kindle
Skippable with free tutorials found on the web both from official and unofficial resources. A good starting block for those who are completely new to the concept and want to get started with Godot.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2023
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L. Schmiesing
Boise, US
★★★★★ 5
Superbly written, relatable, important, and humanistic
Format: Hardcover
I purchased the hardback of this book when I heard that Meta was trying to block its publication. And I’m so glad I did. The book was a jaw-dropping, gripping read that held me in a trance. It’s my understanding that the legal efforts on Meta’s part to have the book blocked have only made it more popular. After reading the book, I’m not surprised. Meta is run by short-sighted, narcissistic, and self-important people who often act like idiot toddlers. Mine. Mine. Gimme. Gimme. Cake. More. More. Once I received the book, I was reluctant to dive in, thinking it would be a challenging read with technology and boring stuff, but I was wrong with that assessment. The book is superbly written, relatable, and humanistic, and made me proud of Sarah for her bravery in becoming a whistleblower. A New Zealand native, Sarah is a lawyer who worked as a diplomat for the United Nations before doggedly selling herself on the staff at Facebook for a job within the organization that she felt could better the world. After working in the upper stratosphere echelons of Facebook for around six years, she has the receipts to prove that the dream of what it could be, became a nightmare. She lays the groundwork for her assertions against Facebook/Meta building her credibility with the reader as she starts from her youth and before the hire. Eventually becoming an intricate player within the Facebook organization, she is a brilliantly smart person (and writer), and she struggles with the culture and personalities of the privileged and out-of-touch leadership who carelessly treat her not as a person, but as a tool. She is often in physical danger too! I was shocked at how often the top leadership - Mark, other top execs, and Sheryl Sandberg - could have cared less about Sarah’s pain, pressure, obstacles, and danger. Not to mention their ignoring Sarah’s wisdom and advice. I’d heard of Sheryl Sandberg – she of the hot book – Lean In. As Oprah and CEOs and other high flyers applauded Sheryl’s awesomeness and her book, I recall at the time feeling intrigued, but super skeptical. See me giving a side eye to the situation and rejecting being given life coaching by a billionaire. It turns out my instincts were right. It’s easier to lean in when you have a staff of nannies, maids, cooks, toadies, and private jets. But she expects everyone to be just as work-driven and productive as her. If you’ve seen the great show Succession – think of the personal assistants portrayed on that show. Their job is to just do – never question – no matter how stupid the task or how impossible the ask. (Do you remember the scene on funeral day when Kendall Roy asks his fast-walking-in-heels personal assistant why she has a meeting scheduled with him and she says in a nervous sing-song – oh, we can talk about it then. He stops walking and presses her for an answer on the spot and she softballs intimating that she is thinking about making a change – and he’s pissed and says like thanks a lot for bringing this up today, my father just died. But she didn’t – he did…. Whatever. You cannot win). Another example. Think Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada asking for the yet-unpublished Harry Potter books to be delivered to her children that the same day. There is a story in Sarah’s book where while traveling in Mexico with the top execs, she gets a frantic call from her husband – there is a horrible situation going on at home in Manhattan with their nanny and the baby (for spoilers – I won’t tell you what was happening but it’s scary as heck). Sarah, trapped and traveling in a car, relays or shares the story about the in-real-time event, because . . . how could you not! Later, in her review, she is told that it was inappropriate for her to talk about her personal life and to basically keep her mouth shut and focus on the job. Lean in and keep your mothering and baby problems to yourself! And part of the problem with all this is that Sarah is not even an “assistant” – she is part of the team. But she is often treated like a body. Another time in a review they said she was ‘difficult to reach’ during the review period and she had to remind them that she was in an actual coma in the hospital. Still – they thought it pertinent and left the negative content as a strike against her. I found the number of personal cruelties to Sarah abhorrent – but Sarah is not a whiner. No. She stayed because she believed in her work and the possible differences she (and presumably, hopefully? others) could make. But the world-changing greed on Facebook’s part to ignore moral and privacy issues, leverage people’s vulnerabilities, profit on the backs of victims, to control the flow of information, and have a pay-to-play mindset in working with an assortment of hate organizations, movements, and autocrats, and to take it further into doing whatever they want as long as they keep growing and gaining more users for their platforms changed everything. Meta is a world gobbler. A globe-stroking Golem who has Thanos power and it’s scarier than you know what. And Facebook had FACEBOOK employees embedded in the Trump campaign to assist them in maximizing the algorithms and giving them whatever tools and access that others didn’t receive. Millions of dollars were spent targeting and spreading the thousands of Trump messages . . . saying God knows what. (Eating cats and dogs?) Harness the press. Harness the information sent to the masses. Pay to ride. Own the world. I’m not sure how Sarah got away with publishing the book, but I applaud the publisher (and I’m assuming a team of lawyers) for going forward with the publication. Read it. Learn from it. I have. But now what do I do? I use Facebook and Instagram– I need to for my business. Don’t I? Maybe Facebook will decide for me after some creepy search retaliates against me for siding with Sarah and for this review. A second is all it takes for me to go bye bye for some infringement or for breaking some policy I’ll never get an answer for. God help us all.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2025
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Stephan Makatita
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 4
Careless People: Power, Marketing, and the (Absent) Moral Boundaries at Facebook
Format: Hardcover
Careless People: Power, Marketing, and the (Absent) Moral Boundaries at Facebook Sarah Wynne-Williams, former Director of Public Policy at Facebook, spent seven years at the company. In Careless People, she takes the reader behind the scenes of the world’s largest social media platform. A hopeful mission She shows how Facebook’s original idealistic mission, “to make the world more open and connected”, was quickly overshadowed by internal tensions, political interests, and ethical dilemmas. Wynne-Williams began her career in the public sector. Driven by a strong sense of civic duty, she was initially enthusiastic about Facebook’s mission, but soon grew disillusioned with how things worked behind closed doors. In her book, she describes how commercial interests and the drive for rapid growth consistently outweighed (positive) social impact. This fundamental tension runs throughout the book. Diplomacy, data, and dominance The book offers a rare, and at times revealing, glimpse into Facebook’s international strategy. Wynne-Williams describes how the company organized state visits, attempted to build diplomatic relationships, and how many of these efforts ended in awkward failure. Particularly notable is Facebook’s push to enter the Chinese market, including Mark Zuckerberg’s personal effort to learn Mandarin. Facebook’s leadership: no innocent bystanders Wynne-Williams doesn’t spare the company’s executive leadership. She paints a picture of a culture riddled with sexual misconduct, power plays, and rivalries. The workplace environment she describes, full of intrigue, temper outbursts, and a striking lack of psychological safety, stands in stark contrast to Facebook’s carefully cultivated public image. This insight is valuable not only for those following Facebook, but for anyone seeking to understand how power and growth shape company culture in the tech sector. Facebook as a PR machine One of the book’s core revelations is how Facebook began to operate less as a technology company and more as a PR machine. Initiatives like internet.org were presented as altruistic, but in practice were primarily aimed at market expansion. The company’s role in political campaigns, notably Donald Trump’s election, is sharply laid out. The book illustrates how thin the line is between innovation and manipulation when user data is leveraged at scale for political and commercial gain. Insightful, but not always credible Wynne-Williams’ personal tone makes the book engaging and accessible. Her commitment to the mission, and her growing frustration, are palpable. Yet her constant presence as narrator sometimes undermines the story’s credibility. Dramatic anecdotes, coincidental twists, and strong personal judgments occasionally create distance, especially when the subject matter demands nuance. That’s unfortunate, because the topics she raises, ethics, global power dynamics, and the impact on young users, deserve to speak for themselves. Lessons for the future What stays with the reader is how even the most powerful tech companies appear vulnerable when ideals clash with growth ambitions. The book shows how easily ethical boundaries blur when billions are at stake. For companies, policymakers, and marketers, it offers a confronting mirror: rapid growth and profit never come without moral cost. Final verdict Careless People is an accessible and insightful book that offers a unique perspective on the inner workings of Facebook and Big Tech. Despite stylistic shortcomings, a tendency toward dramatization, and a sometimes overly subjective voice, it’s a worthwhile read for anyone looking to understand the intersection of technology, power, and marketing. Personally, I found it especially compelling because I’ve taken the opposite path: from marketing and tech into public service. That gives me a unique appreciation of the tension Wynne-Williams describes, the ongoing conflict between social ideals and commercial imperatives. The book lacks objectivity at times, but it undeniably prompts reflection. And that alone makes it more than worth the read. Rating: 7.5
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Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2025
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Todd
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
How Facebook lost its conscience, and how the young man at its helm grew to love the taste of power
Format: Hardcover
A WORD ABOUT THIS PLATFORM THAT CONNECTS US Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams This riveting memoir about the maturation of Facebook is fascinating in large part because of the direct access the author had for over six years to the highest levels of leadership at the company. Its title comes from The Great Gatsby, where narrator Nick Carraway says, “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy — they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money.” A former New Zealand diplomat, Wynn-Williams had to pitch her own job to Facebook in 2011, as Zuckerberg and other senior leaders had no clue then about the role Facebook was destined to play in global politics. Rising to the position of Director of Global Public Policy, Wynn-Williams had a front-row seat to decisions that would irrevocably alter the political landscape in the US and around the world. Fast forward to the 2016 presidential election and the author’s account of how Facebook’s microtargeting of users, its allowance of misinformation on the site, and its assignment of staff to work hand in glove with the Trump campaign as they utilized these ethically compromised tactics turned the tide in that election, and set the stage for the wrecking ball now swinging in our halls of government. You could say Careless People is the story of how Facebook lost its conscience, and how the curious and impressionable young man at its helm grew to love the taste of power. The author weaves the story of Facebook’s role in the 2016 election with a number of other narratives, all revealing the same pattern showing how principled concerns were steamrolled by the relentless pursuit of growth, revenue, and influence. See also Cory Doctorow’s engaging review of this book, with its helpful explanation of why continued growth is so important to a company like Facebook. Her account reads like a slow-building tragedy, where you see exactly where the off-ramps were and watch, helplessly, as they pass by one by one: The Rohingya Genocide This is perhaps the most devastating section of the book. Wynn-Williams argues that Facebook failed to moderate hate speech against the Rohingya in Myanmar, and that the company only had two Burmese language moderators for the entire country. Facebook had also failed to invest in Burmese language support for its automated systems, meaning none of its moderation tools could even parse posts written in Burmese script. Because of these decisions, hate speech and misinformation designed to stoke ethnic and religious division spread like wildfire across the platform, and the genocide that followed is presented as a direct consequence of this reckless neglect. Censorship for China A chilling revelation for anyone who believes in free speech is Facebook’s willingness to compromise its own foundational values in pursuit of access to the Chinese market, which Zuckerberg seems to have perceived as a kind of final frontier and holy grail. Rather than standing firm on the principles of open communication it so publicly champions, Facebook secretly developed what was essentially a bespoke censorship tool designed to win over a Chinese government playing hard to get. If China had decided to allow Facebook through the Great Firewall, this system would have allowed Beijing to suppress content it found politically inconvenient, and would have extended into Hong Kong. One subnarrative in this thread is the lengths to which Zuckerberg went to court President Xi Jinping. He asks him (in Mandarin) to name his firstborn child (Xi declines), and the author includes an entertaining depiction of one-upmanship of Xi over Zuckerberg when the latter seeks unsuccessfully to arrange an impromptu meeting with Xi (since Xi had repeatedly rejected overt requests to meet). Sexual Harassment Culture For a company that spent years wrapping itself in the language of feminine empowerment and progressive values — most visibly through COO Sheryl Sandberg’s “Lean In” movement — the picture Wynn-Williams paints inside Facebook’s walls is a study in hypocrisy. The book alleges that sexual harassment by senior executives was not only tolerated but effectively shielded from consequences. Monetizing Teenage Insecurity Wynn-Williams reveals that Facebook identified teenage girls who had deleted selfies on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, and then forwarded their data to companies who used it to target them with beauty products. Let that sink in for a moment. These were young girls navigating the minefield of adolescent insecurity, who made a conscious decision to take their photos down. And rather than respecting that decision, Facebook treated it as a data point to be monetized. Content Moderation as a Political Tool At the heart of this memoir is the question of how Facebook decides what speech is acceptable and what isn’t, both in the US and across the world. Facebook has spent years presenting its content moderation decisions as principled, values-driven calls — the careful work of a responsible company trying to balance free expression with public safety. However, the author shows, an internal policy established in February 2015 made the actual workings explicit: when governments requested that content be removed, Facebook would only comply if there was a credible threat to block the platform entirely in that particular country or a risk to its own employees. Numerous examples paint a picture of a company that was essentially making it up as it went along — complying with take-down requests when powerful enough governments (such as China) pushed hard enough, and ignoring everyone else.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Most of us have encountered, in one way or another, Facebook’s self-described “Community Standards,” which, the company states, “are written to ensure that everyone’s voice is valued.” “Facebook,” the language continues, “takes great care to craft policies that are inclusive of different views and beliefs- in particular those of people and communities that might otherwise be overlooked or marginalized.” However, the picture the author reveals in Careless People suggests that such language is mostly posturing. Zuckerberg’s Ego and Detachment One of the most fascinating and unsettling threads running through the book is the portrait Wynn-Williams paints of Mark Zuckerberg — a man who began as a socially awkward but genuinely curious young idealist and somewhere along the way became something different. One anecdote about Indonesia is comic in its brazenness: Zuckerberg allegedly demanded that Wynn-Williams organize an entirely staged, artificial mob of fans to “gently” swarm him in public, creating the illusion of organic, spontaneous popularity. His staff routinely let him win at board games on his private jet, and he remains oblivious to that fact until the author finally spells it out one day. After the 2016 election, when Obama dresses him down at the APEC summit in Peru about Facebook’s role in swinging the results, he becomes indignant, and instead of recognizing an opportunity for a course correction, he contemplates a run for president himself, instructing his staff to take him on a grassroots tour of the country that includes all the requisite stops for a presidential candidate. Throughout the book, we see a leader increasingly insulated from the consequences of his own decisions, surrounded by people too afraid or too incentivized to speak the truth to his face. What makes the author’s account of this man and his company compelling is that initially she believed in the mission. She was there because she thought Facebook could be a genuine force for good in the world–a way to connect people, a uniquely powerful democratizing force. In that sense she probably stands in for most of us who are here right now because we recognized these same qualities ten or fifteen years ago. But now we feel tremors beneath us and the ground shifting in unsettling ways as we post and scroll and message here. What is this platform becoming? What are our responsibilities to bear witness to that and to respond? I believe this book can help us answer those difficult questions. As a footnote, consider that when the book was published, Meta immediately filed an emergency legal action to prevent Wynn-Williams from publicly promoting it, citing a non-disparagement agreement she signed on leaving the company. The attempt backfired in the way these things tend to: the book reached number one on the New York Times best-seller list, and Wynn-Williams was invited to testify before the U.S. Senate. Meta’s attempts to disparage the author read as transparent and cynical in the face of the credibility she establishes throughout this book. And its efforts to limit her voice have only become additional evidence supporting the story she has told. If you’re looking for a book that explains how we got to the crazy, upside-down world we are living in now — politically, socially, technologically — Careless People is a great place to start.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2026

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