RP310 Making His Mark

 RP310 Making His Mark

On February 4, 2004, a Harvard student created an Internet phenomenon from his dorm room. The website was Facebook, and it changed the way people all over the world communicate. But Facebook isn't the only impact Mark Zuckerberg had on the world.
Computers have been a constant theme in Mark Zuckerberg's life. He learned the basics of computer programming from his dad. At just 12 years of age, he wrote a simple messaging program, ZuckNet, for his family home. Shortly after that time, messaging programs like AOL Instant Messenger took off nationwide.
Mark then wrote another program called Synapse. Synapse used artificial intelligence to study the way users listen to music. The program was so impressive that he received job offers from major software companies like Microsoft. Mark declined these offers, having decided that he would rather further his studies instead. Like with ZuckNet, Mark's program Synapse came just before another program called Pandora gained popularity.
Mark's zeal for programming flourished during his time at Harvard. In his second year, he wrote a program that helped students select courses and find study groups. He also created Facemash, a precursor to Facebook that asked users to compare people's faces. Of course, after Mark created Facebook, it started to spread quickly. This time, it was Mark's own program that took over and dominated the space.
Today, Facebook is still the most-used form of social media, with over two billion monthly users. But this is not enough for Mark. He genuinely believes that the Internet makes people's lives better. So, he wants to get everyone on the planet connected to the Internet. In 2013, Zuckerberg launched a new company called Internet.org. The company uses artificial intelligence, drones, and even lasers to increase Internet access for everyone.
However, Mark is not only interested in computers. He and his wife, Priscilla Chan, also value education, health, sustainable energy, and human equality. Together, they started another organization called the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Through this organization, they will donate 99 percent of their wealth to such causes over their lifetime. With every new project, Mark Zuckerberg continues to change the world.