If this were a novel—a heavy-handed satire about tech billionaire hypocrisy—it would seem too far-fetched to be believable. Yet here we are, reading a New York Times story this week about Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, running a private school from their Palo Alto estate in violation of local zoning laws. Even more striking, this school—attended by 14 children, including two of their three daughters—is less than a mile from the school for low-income families they founded in 2016. Now, guess which one the world’s second-richest man is shutting down?
Mention a “zoning violation” to some Americans, and it’s like saying “queue jumper” to a Brit—instant outrage. But the real issue here isn’t about permits. (A spokesperson for Zuckerberg and Chan claimed they were unaware of the zoning rules and said the private school—or “pod of homeschoolers,” as they called it—is being relocated.) The bigger story is Zuckerberg’s apparent shift away from progressive causes, starting with closing the school and continuing with his charitable foundation, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), cutting funding for nearly all affordable housing and homeless charities in the Bay Area, along with slashing diversity programs.
Officially, CZI says it’s refocusing on science and medical research after a decade of learning how to do philanthropy effectively. Unofficially, the shift from “advancing human potential and promoting equality” to a “science-first philanthropy” aligns with Zuckerberg’s personal evolution—from a Biden-era “This Is What a Feminist Looks Like” T-shirt wearer to a Trump-era advocate for “masculine energy” in the workplace, complete with a Trump ally on Meta’s board.
Zuckerberg’s politics may be as flexible as any tech CEO’s, but there’s more at play here. Unlike scientific research, the subjects of social experiments funded by philanthropy have a habit of talking back. In 2010, when Zuckerberg donated $100 million to reform Newark’s public schools, educators criticized him for pushing startup-style quick fixes—charter schools, “parental choice”—onto a deeply flawed system. You can imagine the frustration at HQ: We’re trying to help—why are they complaining? Why aren’t they grateful?
Another billionaire trait? Short attention spans. Reports suggest Chan grew frustrated with the slow progress at their East Palo Alto school—apparently, despite the geniuses involved, the kids just wouldn’t stop being poor or magically get into Harvard. This unshakable belief that tech skills can solve any problem persists. Take Jeff Bezos’s Day 1 Academies, where the world’s third-richest man pledges to open Montessori-style preschools in underserved areas—instead of, say, having Amazon pay its fair share of taxes to fund public education.
Meanwhile, back in Zuckerberg’s Crescent Park neighborhood, tensions are rising. In an area populated by… [text cuts off]The Zuckerbergs, who are popular with Stanford professors, purchased 11 properties and transformed them into a private compound. Much like wealthy residents in London’s Holland Park, they quickly added a pickleball court and expanded the basement. The years of construction noise, traffic, and disruption from the school left neighbors frustrated—so when a New York Times reporter showed up, they were more than ready to share their grievances.
“No neighborhood wants to be taken over,” said one resident, whose home is now bordered on three sides by Zuckerberg-owned properties. “But that’s exactly what they’ve done. They’ve taken over our neighborhood.” Replace “neighborhood” with “world,” and the statement still holds true.
—Emma Brockes, Guardian columnist
FAQS
### **FAQs About “Of Course Mark Zuckerberg Is Still Doing Good Deeds—He’s Just Redefined What ‘Good’ Means”**
#### **Basic Questions**
**1. What does it mean that Mark Zuckerberg has “redefined what ‘good’ means”?**
It suggests that his philanthropic efforts (like those through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative) prioritize long-term, systemic changes (e.g., tech-driven solutions) over traditional charity, which some may see as a shift in the definition of “doing good.”
**2. Is Mark Zuckerberg still involved in philanthropy?**
Yes, he and his wife, Priscilla Chan, run the **Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI)**, which funds education, science, and criminal justice reform, among other causes.
**3. Why do some people criticize his approach to philanthropy?**
Critics argue that his methods focus too much on tech-based solutions, lack transparency, or prioritize his own influence over immediate, tangible benefits for communities.
#### **Advanced Questions**
**4. How does Zuckerberg’s philanthropy differ from traditional charity?**
Traditional charity often provides direct aid (e.g., food, shelter), while Zuckerberg’s approach invests in systemic fixes (e.g., education tech, medical research) with long-term, scalable impact.
**5. What are some examples of CZI’s major projects?**
– **Education:** Personalized learning tools via Summit Learning.
– **Science:** Funding for disease research (e.g., Alzheimer’s, cancer).
– **Justice Reform:** Supporting policies to reduce mass incarceration.
**6. Does Zuckerberg’s philanthropy benefit Meta (Facebook) indirectly?**
Some argue that his initiatives align with Meta’s interests (e.g., promoting internet access, which expands Facebook’s user base), though CZI operates separately.
#### **Debates & Controversies**
**7. Is “philanthrocapitalism” (wealthy individuals directing social change) a good thing?**
Supporters say it’s efficient and innovative; critics say it lacks democratic accountability and may push agendas that don’t reflect public needs.
**8. Why do some see Zuckerberg’s donations as self-serving?**
Because he often funds initiatives that intersect with his business (e.g., tech in schools) or enhance his public image, rather than purely altruistic causes
