, Columnist
If Facebook Broke Up, Would Anyone Notice?
It would be hard on the company’s managers, but not on consumers or society.
Not too big to fail.
Photographer: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
What would happen if Facebook disappeared tomorrow? Would people suddenly be unable to communicate online? Would the economy screech to a halt? Would anyone be deprived of a good, service or piece of information that was somehow crucial to their existence?
Of course not. Which is why the one of the company’s main arguments against a breakup — that it’s too big and complex to dismember — makes no sense.