What The Dropout Wants To Say About Elizabeth Holmes
Okay, let's talk about The Dropout. We all watched it, right? We saw Elizabeth Holmes become a… well, something. But what was the show really trying to tell us?
Was She a Villain?
Everyone loves a good villain. Elizabeth Holmes certainly made a compelling one. The show definitely painted her as ambitious. Maybe a little too ambitious?
But was it just ambition gone wrong? I'm not so sure. It felt like the series was nudging us to consider more than just good vs. evil. It felt like there was a layer of commentary, perhaps even a hint of sympathy.
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The Power of Belief (and Black Turtlenecks)
One thing The Dropout hammered home? The sheer force of belief. Holmes convinced everyone to believe in her. Investors, employees, even Walgreens!
Was it all just charisma? Or was it the black turtlenecks? I'm kidding… mostly. But seriously, the show highlighted how easily we can be swayed by a confident facade.
Maybe the show is suggesting we're all a little gullible? Perhaps we are easily impressed by a slick presentation and a good story. Food for thought!
Silicon Valley's "Fake It 'Til You Make It" Culture
Let's be honest, Silicon Valley has a reputation. "Move fast and break things," right? The Dropout subtly hinted at the pressure-cooker environment that breeds this kind of "fake it 'til you make it" mentality.
Was Holmes a product of that culture? Did the show suggest that? Possibly. It's not an excuse, but it adds another layer to the story.
Unpopular Opinion Alert!
Okay, here comes the hot take. Maybe, just maybe, The Dropout wanted us to see a little bit of ourselves in Elizabeth Holmes.
Think about it. Haven't we all exaggerated on a resume? Pushed a project a little too far without all the facts? Maybe not to the extent of Theranos, but the seed is there.
We all want to succeed. We all want to be seen as capable. The show reminds us that we should not lie to become successful.
More Than Just a Scam
At its core, The Dropout wasn't just about a scam. It was about the dangers of unchecked ambition. It was about the allure of Silicon Valley and the pressure to achieve impossible things.
The show was also about groupthink and the fear of being the one to speak up. Who wants to be the person who says the emperor has no clothes?
Ultimately, The Dropout asks us to consider the system that allowed Elizabeth Holmes to rise so high, only to fall so hard. It's a story about her downfall, but maybe also a warning to all of us.
The final scene shows Holmes dancing to the music in her car. Was this just a way to show Holmes moving on with her life? Or was this the show subtly telling us that Holmes may not have had that much remorse.
I think the show's subtle suggestion may be that there are more people like Holmes. That the Holmes persona may not be a stranger to the reader.
"Maybe Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos should serve as a warning. It may just be a matter of time before someone else steps up. If we see the signs this time, what will we do?"
