> She literally rode this generation of SV wave from the beginning.

> she was the best thing to happen to FB and Mark Zuckerberg.

Or -hear me out- the person most influential in current SV business is not the best thing to happen to a (very young, impressionable) founder trying to grow his business. Pre-Sheryl ads were businesses having fb pages and advertising when your friend bought a product (very social-based). Post-Sheryl ads tracked you everywhere and learned about you.

Which version actually worked?

We can never know what could’ve been. Clearly the method in use makes money. A lot of it.

But FB and Marks reputation have never been worse. He probably would be rich-enough either way.

both. Otherwise, was there an overall increase in consumption?

I think she was simultaneously the best and worst thing to happen to FB. Some of the issues of the company are squarely at her feet. The revenue org is a huge clusterf** of mismanagement and improvisation that should have tamed years ago. When I was there a couple years ago I wasn't impressed at all by how it all worked and was wondering if this "beautiful journey" post was about to happen.

> Despite all the negatives associated with Facebook, I think she was the best thing to happen to FB and Mark Zuckerberg.

Yeah, my impression has been that she has provided cover for FB and Mark Zuckerberg.