Former Obama administration National Economic Council Director Larry Summers has mixed feelings about his portrayal in the blockbuster Social Network, although he is staying fairly mum on the economic situation in Israel. Summers spoke today at the Herzliya Conference outside Tel Aviv, and the FPA Israel blog caught up with him at a press gaggle after his speech.
Summers, who only recently left the administration, was a key figure in the creation of Facebook, as exemplified in the recent film. While Summers was president of Harvard, two students — the Winklevoss twins — approached him contending that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg stole their idea for an exclusive social networking site. Summers dismissed the idea, before he, according to the movie, asked his assistant to “punch me in the face” in a sarcastic quip. Summers said that section of the movie was not entirely accurate.
FPA ISRAEL BLOG: “You mentioned Facebook in your speech. What do you think on your portrayal in that film?”
SUMMERS: “Well, I did meet with the Winklevoss’. I didn’t support their claim under Harvard ethics rules. But, I never told anybody to punch me in the face.”
Summers, though, declined to take a firm position on internal Israeli economic policy. When asked about how Israel should address skyrocketing welfare programs to the choosing unemployment ultra-orthodox community, he said that states must adapt to changing economic conditions. He also, though, declined to comment on broader economic inequality between Jews and Arabs in Israel.
FPA ISRAEL BLOG: “One of the things that Israel is struggling with today is: they have a large population that doesn’t work by choice — the ultra orthodox community, some parts of the Arab community. They get money for each child, for example, and that’s becoming a drain on the economy. How sustainable do you think that is and how can Israel remedy that on a large scale?”
SUMMERS: “Ultimately, party of being a resilient society is having the capacity to adjust commitments that become unsustainable as an economy adjusts and evolves. But, the details of the Israeli situation aren’t something that I know enough about to comment on.”
FPA ISRAEL BLOG: “What about the situation with Israeli Arabs –“
SUMMERS: “I’m just going to stay out of making specific prescriptions for Israeli economic policy after just having been here for a few days.”
The Social Network script:
Larry Summers: You’re here because? Either of you can answer.
Cameron Winklevoss: Oh, I’m sorry sir. I thought you were reading the letter.
Larry Summers: I’ve read the letter.
Cameron Winklevoss: Well we came up with an idea for a website called HarvardConnection and we’ve since changed the name to ConnectU and Mark Zuckerberg stole that idea…
Larry Summers: I understand and I’m asking what you want me to do about it?
Cameron Winklevoss: Well sir, in the Harvard Student Handbook, which is distributed to each freshman, under the heading “Standards of Conduct in the Harvard Community” it says; “The college expects all students will be honest and forthcoming in their dealings with members in this community. Student are required to respect public and private ownership. And instances of theft, misappropriation or…
Larry Summers: Anne?
Anne: Yes, sir.
Larry Summers: [sarcastically] Punch me in the face.
