Main Highlights:
- Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, co-founder of Neuralink and OpenAI, is expected to add another firm to his portfolio shortly.
- Musk voiced discontent with Twitter’s democratic character in a series of tweets over the weekend, hinting that some correction is required.
- The notion of a decentralized, censorship-resistant, ad-free social media network is not new and was recently addressed in blockchain technology.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, creator of The Boring Firm, and co-founder of Neuralink and OpenAI will likely add another company to his portfolio shortly. Of course, if he is sincere. Musk expressed dissatisfaction with Twitter’s democratic nature in a series of posts over the weekend, implying that some adjustment is necessary.
He began by conducting a Twitter survey. He asked respondents if they believed Twitter adhered closely to the idea of free speech as a necessary component of a thriving democracy. He urged his fans to vote wisely, noting that the poll’s outcome “will be significant.”
To get a sense of how seriously Musk takes Twitter polls, consider the time he surveyed his followers on the subject of selling 10% of his Tesla stock. With over 2 million votes and the majority of his followers voting “no” in a recent survey — indicating that they do not feel Twitter adheres closely to the idea of free expression being necessary for a functioning democracy — Musk posed the question: Is a new platform critical?
Given that Twitter functions as a de facto public town square, he posed the question of whether failure to adhere to free speech rules fundamentally damages democracy. What actions should be taken?
And when a follower inquired whether Musk would consider creating a new social platform, “one that would be built on an open-source algorithm, one that prioritizes free speech and adhering to free speech, one that would have very little propaganda,” Musk responded that he is seriously considering the idea.
Other people suggested Musk should purchase Twitter ultimately. Musk did not immediately dismiss the suggestion, joking about how amazing it would be if he did so and changed Twitter’s logo to that of cryptocurrency Doge.
Musk has never been subjected to Twitter censorship. However, he has been afoul of the platform on multiple occasions, most notably when he posted about “taking Tesla private” without providing any evidence. However, Twitter had restricted specific posts or even banned users in various instances — most notably former President Donald Trump, when the network judged that Trump’s remarks about the United States Capitol riots incited violence. Trump retaliated by launching his own social media network, which has had a rocky start.
As is customary, it’s impossible to know how serious Musk is about this. Even though the CEO has successfully operated software firms in the past (his first major success was PayPal), controlling a social media site is a departure from his usual interests. The concept of a decentralized, censorship-resistant, and ad-free social media platform is not new and has been discussed recently in the context of blockchain technology. Numerous decentralized initiatives exist, including Steemit and Diaspora, but none have amassed a sizable user base.
What Elon’s Tweets Indicate
Elon Musk, the inventor of Tesla Inc. and SpaceX, is best recognized for his groundbreaking work in the technology business. Still, he is also known for his unfiltered social media engagements. Musk and his constant and even strange Tweets frequently make news. This time, he’s created quite a stir by announcing the establishment of his social networking site. Musk recently revealed on Twitter that he is “seriously considering” the notion of establishing a new app that prioritizes free expression. This was a surprise update, and like with most of his social media musings, it has aroused curiosity.
Elon Musk reacted to a tweet on Sunday from a user who inquired about his opinions on what would be a propaganda-free social media network. “Would you, @elonmusk, consider creating a new social media platform? One that is based on an open-source algorithm, one that prioritizes free speech and sticking to free speech, and one that contains very little propaganda. I believe that such a platform is necessary, “As said in the Tweet. Musk said, “I am considering this.”
Elon Musk’s statements follow his public criticism on Twitter. He recently conducted a poll to gauge public opinion on the microblogging platform’s policies. The survey made two assertions. The one states, “Free expression is necessary for a healthy democracy,” whereas the second reads, “Do you feel Twitter sticks to this concept rigidly?”
He also emphasized the poll’s “consequences” in a cryptic tweet. If Elon Musk is serious about what he has just teased, he may be joining a very competitive field that already includes Meta’s Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. While the tech billionaire’s intentions are unknown, it will undoubtedly be an entertaining try.
