Dressed in his signature “Zuck 2.0” look — baggy black T-shirt, gold chains and curly blonde hair — Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed a new version of himself in a bold interview with podcaster Joe Rogan. The world is calling it “Zak 3.0”. This version appears to be bolder and more controversial, as Zuckerberg shares his vision for corporate culture – a version that emphasizes “masculine energy” while undermining diversity initiatives.

Zuckerberg’s comments, appearing on Joe Rogan’s podcast, were impressive. “I think masculine energy is good,” he said, claiming that the corporate environment has moved away from traditional masculine qualities like aggression. According to Zuckerberg, successful workplaces require a balance of masculine and feminine energies, though he believes the pendulum has swung too far toward neutrality.

Zuckerberg’s own connection to this philosophy is personal. He talked about how the practice of mixed martial arts influenced his outlook, describing it as “a very masculine culture”. His comments come alongside major policy changes at Meta that further add to the company’s ideological shift.

Reduces meta diversity policies

Zuckerberg’s interview coincides with Meta’s announcement that it is significantly scaling back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. An internal memo described the term “DEI” as controversial, stating that some viewed it as favoring some groups over others.

This policy change eliminates META’s diversity training programs and reduces targeted hiring initiatives. But why is this move making so much news? This is because it may result in less inclusive workplaces and increase existing gaps in representation.

Additionally, Meta announced the relaxation of content moderation rules. The platform will now allow more leniency for posts critical of immigrants, transgender individuals and non-binary people. Fact-checking measures were repealed in the United States, increasing concerns over the potential spread of misinformation.

Leaning toward Trump?

Zuckerberg’s comments and policy changes have reignited debate about Meta’s political leanings. While the CEO criticized the Biden administration for allegedly pressuring the company to censor content during the pandemic, he praised US President-elect Donald Trump’s focus on “making America win.” Meta’s recent actions seem to be in line with conservative values, leading to speculation about the company’s ties to Trump.

change in priorities

Zuckerberg emphasizes that his approach is about balance rather than exclusion. While advocating masculine qualities such as aggression in workplaces, he also stressed the importance of opportunities for women and individuals from diverse backgrounds. “You want women to succeed and companies to highlight the value of great people, no matter what their background,” she said. However, the practical implications of META’s policy changes suggest a deviation from these ideals. By reducing DEI initiatives, loosening content moderation, and eliminating fact-checking, Meta’s new direction seems a bit far from its aim of maintaining balance.