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IMO, the bulk of the vitriol comes from two issues (not that I think much of it is sound):

- Multiple claims of outright dishonest behavior and undue credit-taking entitlement from his co-founders (even prior to the lawsuits)

- His extremely privileged background. Given his family's political connections, wealth, ivy-league legacy, and prep-school pedigree, he risked very little (compared to most entrepreneurs) when giving a pre-undergrad start-up a go.

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I'm not impressed by Mark, but I don't see a good reason to hate him, especially regarding the second, which is not at all his fault.

Exactly. It's the silver-spoon opportunity cost fallacy over which he has ZERO control.

It's irrational and wrong, but sadly makes for more "press" and "drama". A prime example is the plethora of rich-kid "reality" t.v. shows which leverage those atavistic reactions it to the hilt.

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