Zuckerberg didn’t just spin a movie‑script; he exploited a clear tactical play. First, he launched at a niche—college students—so the product fit was perfect and user acquisition cost was minimal. Second, he locked in the network effect early, making the platform more valuable as more people joined. Third, he kept the overhead razor‑thin, using the Harvard dorm as a test bed before scaling. That combo still works today for any tech that can tap a ready‑made community, but you have to execute with surgical precision. If you miss the first‑move advantage or let costs spiral, the strategy collapses. So, yes, it’s a viable blueprint, not just Hollywood hype.