3 Must-watch Netflix movies for an Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur, like me, don’t have too much time on their hands. As we work round the clock and through the week; anything that does not fit our preference or priority, seems like a waste of time. As a bootstrap startup owner, I wear many hats, and like you, I am usually struggling to get a bit more of ME-Time for staying calm and planning the way forward.
Fortunately or unfortunately, when I was down with COVID 19, I was isolated in my room. Thus, I had plenty of time on my hand to spend beyond sleeping and eating. I asked a few friends for recommendations to get inspiration to work harder once out of isolation. As an entrepreneur, there are a few movies that I really liked and I think you would like them too!
1. The Uber Story
Uber is a promising case study and a front runner of the gig economy. For those who don’t know Gig economy, it has been defined by Investopedia as “The gig economy is based on flexible, temporary, or freelance jobs, often involving connecting with clients or customers through an online platform.” The interesting thing about the company, founded in 2009, is that wherever the company has spread its wings, it has managed to become a household name and it has become one of the most convenient ways to travel through the cities.
The documentary talks about how UBER maneuvered its way through the Australian market and used the technological superiority to outsmart the surveillance agency. Uber’s weapon to win this cat-and-mouse game is ‘Greyball’ through which, Uber company mined its collected data to identify the undercover agents. Those identified undercover agents would be given a fake version of UBER app. This version of the app would show the agent that either the ride has been cancelled or would show false and erringly long waiting times thereby, soliciting a cancel request from the agent. Upon entering the Australian market, the company lured the drivers already enrolled under its competitors to enroll them under the UBER banner.
I won’t spill any more beans. A caveat: if you are an entrepreneur, who stands by ethics and morals, you would come to dislike UBER and might even uninstall the app (I almost did). On the other hand, if one looks at the entire situation from a business point of view, it starts to make sense!
Duration: 44 mins | Year of release: 2019 | Primary category: DocumentaryURL https://www.netflix.com/in/title/81155897
2. The Social Dilemma
As an entrepreneur and the co-founder of a Digital Marketing agency, wherein the work inadvertently involves Social Media platforms, I feel this documentary should ideally be a well-kept secret. On the contrary, you are reading this blog and you would appreciate my honesty more than my secrets!
In today’s times of ever-increasing internet penetration and cloud-based convenience-based solutions, device screen time has increased manifold across all age groups. It is no wonder finding your little one talking to a friend on Facebook or your parents catching up on news on YouTube on their device. Furthermore, what is worrying is that we still don’t know the negative consequences of increased device screen time.
The above points were my observations and points of concern before watching The Social Dilemma. Moreover, the content of the documentary takes the user deeper into how Social Media is manipulating the habits and mindsets. Additionally, how social media platforms are ultimately, leading to polarization of the mind and society, which is obviously, scary to say the least. What is scarier is that the creators or previous team members of social media platforms are raising the alarm! You know how credible the narrative becomes if the creator talks about the disadvantages of his/her own creation.
What I liked the most:
The honest rendition of today’s reality and a constant reminder that more than Facebook interactions, we should redirect our energy towards face to face interactions.
Duration: 94 mins | Year of release: 2020 | Primary category: Science and Nature Documentary
URL https://www.netflix.com/in/title/81254224
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3. Inside Job
When I was graduating as a Computer Engineer in 2008, there was a constant fear that we won’t be placed. The main reason was that Computer Engineering jobs were running out due to US Financial crisis. I got placed, felt comfortable and thus let go of the concern and didn’t investigate the crisis at that time. However, come 2021 and the Me-Time, it was time to make amends!
I stumbled upon the Inside Job and this is one of the most impactful movies! This movie is bold and goes to the depths of corruption, influence of Wall Street and how the long term consequences of a bubble was conveniently ignored by the high and mighty. The most interesting part is the narrative and how easily understandable all the points are.
What is more startling is, that the prepetrators of the crisis go scott free! Instead, they were back in power without any punishment! Sounds familiar? During Indian elections, when we see candidates with a criminal background on the winning side, we all feel a bit of cringe inside us? I could feel the same cringe towards the later-half of the movie. Especially, the part when perpetrators of the crisis, come back to hold high office in the subsequent governments of USA and in turn, influence the banking system of the world and not just USA.
What I liked the most:
I like the part where former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan shares his research paper that successfully points out a bubble. He makes a presentation to the most influential financial players at that time. I felt proud as an Indian. Unfortunately, as we all know, his voice goes unheard.
Duration: 108 mins | Year of release: 2010 | Primary category: Political Documentary
URL https://www.netflix.com/in/title/70139555
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I might have missed out on a few movies/series as I am a Netflix bug in the making. I would appreciate if you, my fellow entrepreneur, could recommend a few movies/series that would stimulate my mind.
Woah! That’s quite a review. Thank you for setting up my weekend watchlist 😊
Oh yes nidhi… pls feel free to add on some to my wishlist too!
I’ve watched The Social Dilemna and it was really eye-opening. It also scared me to open my social medias after a while haha but I like how it raises awareness.
The social dilemma is indeed an eye opener! I think you can try The Uber Story too!
These are great recommendations! I really loved The Social Dilemma and I think it’s a must-watch for everyone.
I am glad you like the recommendations! I found many answers to my social media burnout when I saw The Social Dilemma.
Social dilemma is top choice for binge watching but you can take out time to watch the other 2 as well. They will be totally worth your time!
I’ve only seen the social dillema and it was EYE OPENING for sure!
yes! It was certainly eye opening and i think it was quite real too. Though my work is such that i can’t switch myself off from social media!
Yes Rachel, social dilemma is eye opening and so are the others. I hope you can take out time to watch them
These are so cool! I can’t wait to check these out! There is also the one about McDonald’s, it is reall awesome.
Yes I have not yet watched McDonalds story and the couple of movies on Steve Jobs. Good that you pointed it out!
Hey yes! I havent had the time to watch McDonalds movie but I am surely gonna watch it soon!
Awesome list for the entrepreneurial spirit and overall interest and curiosities.
I am glad you find it useful!
Thank you. I hope you enjoy watching them!
I watched the social delima. It is definitely worth watching and will inevitably prompt you to question your own online habits. And this is also as a alarm on the dangerous human impact of social networking.
Yup! Social Networking does have its ups and downs! How do you regulate your online habits? May be you can offer me a tip or two?
Haha yes it is indeed a harsh reminder. Our online habits have altered significantly in the last 10 years making us less focused and more addicted to the mobile screen. We need to keep our screen time in check!
I rarely watch documentaries on Netflix, but the Social Dilemma seems to a “must-watch”. Social media is a social engineering mechanism, whether intentionally or not. It’s worth it to figure out for ourselves just how much that is the case.
Very well said! The usage of social media and especially the mobile screen time should be consciously regulated.
I totally agree
Social dilemma does wake you up to many possibilities and reminds you to take control of your lives!
Such great recommendations!I haven’t watched any of these movies yet, so have added them to my watch-list 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I am happy that you found value in my post! Happy binge-watching!