Ep 2. Masha Masha Masha

WeCrashed is a riveting audio drama focused on the rise and fall of the multi-billion dollar startup WeWork, a company that promised to revolutionize the way people work and live. In the second episode of the first season, titled "Masha Masha Masha," listeners are taken deeper into the world of WeWork and introduced to an important player in the company's history.

The episode begins with a scene where host David Brown explains the significance of the name Masha, which has become synonymous with WeWork's rapid expansion and dizzying growth. Masha is the name of the algorithm that WeWork used to evaluate potential locations for new offices, hotels, and other properties. It was said to be a cutting-edge technology that allowed WeWork to quickly identify and target key markets for expansion.

From there, the episode introduces listeners to Masha, the real person behind the algorithm. Masha Sharma was a brilliant data scientist who was hired by WeWork in 2016 to develop and implement the algorithm. Sharma is described as a young and ambitious employee who quickly rose through the ranks at WeWork, becoming a key player in the company's growth strategy.

The episode features interviews with former WeWork employees, including Sharma herself, who describe the intense pressure and high-stakes environment that characterized WeWork during its heyday. They speak of Sharma's long hours and tireless work ethic, as well as her deep belief in the company's mission to "elevate the world's consciousness."

As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that Sharma's work on Masha was both integral to WeWork's success and deeply flawed. While Masha helped WeWork to identify lucrative markets and negotiate favorable lease terms, it was also responsible for massive overspending and poor decision-making. Brown and his guests describe how WeWork relied on Masha to make critical decisions about real estate investments, often without human oversight or intervention.

The episode also highlights the culture of secrecy and obfuscation that characterized WeWork under founder and CEO Adam Neumann. Brown paints Neumann as a charismatic and persuasive leader who was able to rally employees and investors around his vision for WeWork. However, the episode makes it clear that Neumann was also prone to manipulation and deception, hiding the true nature of WeWork's financial situation from investors and employees alike.

Overall, "Masha Masha Masha" is a fascinating and deeply insightful episode of WeCrashed that sheds light on one of the most critical aspects of WeWork's rise and fall. By exploring the role of Masha Sharma and the algorithm that bears her name, the episode reveals the ways in which a powerful technology can both enable and undermine a company's success. Additionally, it underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the tech industry, particularly in companies whose fortunes can rise and fall on the backs of algorithms and data analysis.