Elon Musk, Twitter’s next owner, provides his definition of “free speech”

gosand

Ars Tribunus Militum
1,656
It's weird to me that everyone spends so much time analyzing what Musk means by "free speech" when he's been completely up front about it the entire time - he wants to be able to say whatever he wants and not suffer any consequences. It's an awesome policy if you're a billionaire with near-infinite resources and an army of sycophants, not so great if, say, you're a trans person who has to constantly justify your existence to two million "debate me bro" alt-righters.

I think the real question will be if it is "free speech" for all, or only those that Musk and his ilk agree with?
 
Upvote
4 (4 / 0)

The Dark

Ars Tribunus Angusticlavius
12,206
Elon Musk":1yg7p1n7 said:
If people want less free speech, they will ask government to pass laws to that effect. Therefore, going beyond the law is contrary to the will of the people.

from https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-27074746 :

«When a majority of citizens disagrees with economic elites and/or with organised interests, they generally lose. Moreover, because of the strong status quo bias built into the US political system, even when fairly large majorities of Americans favour policy change, they generally do not get it.»

So all Musk has done is prove that he's either woefully out of touch with reality (and doesn't follow politics and polisci), or that he is among those economic elites who does get listened to by legislators.

Porqué no los dos?
 
Upvote
5 (5 / 0)
Post content hidden for low score. Show…

watermeloncup

Ars Tribunus Angusticlavius
8,882
Elon Musk":rsvw80h7 said:
If people want less free speech, they will ask government to pass laws to that effect. Therefore, going beyond the law is contrary to the will of the people.

from https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-27074746 :

«When a majority of citizens disagrees with economic elites and/or with organised interests, they generally lose. Moreover, because of the strong status quo bias built into the US political system, even when fairly large majorities of Americans favour policy change, they generally do not get it.»

So all Musk has done is prove that he's either woefully out of touch with reality (and doesn't follow politics and polisci), or that he is among those economic elites who does get listened to by legislators.

This is a very good point. Many studies have shown the same thing. US Congress is incredibly unresponsive to the desires of its constituents. It's not just political polarization, nor does it take a deep academic study to see this. Many policies that are overwhelmingly popular among voters of both parties are never passed or even seriously considered.
 
Upvote
4 (4 / 0)

barrattm

Ars Tribunus Militum
1,950
By "free speech," I simply mean that which matches the law. I am against censorship that goes far beyond the law.

Er, isn't any level of censorship on a private platform entirely legal, if within the boundaries of a contract freely entered into?

And as he's already found out, repeatedly, just because you're allowed to say it doesn't mean that there aren't consequences, legal and contractual...
 
Upvote
7 (7 / 0)
what I constantly miss in this discussion, is his statement that "everybody is going to be a registered user" (or something in that direction) -> Which I, as a European, interpret as "no anonimous bullshit allowed".

Not even that. He's explicitly said that he will "authenticate" that users are humans, not bots. Which implies a non-negligible cost, which implies a price. So have fun paying a subscription fee to post on Twitter.
 
Upvote
4 (4 / 0)
Post content hidden for low score. Show…
what I constantly miss in this discussion, is his statement that "everybody is going to be a registered user" (or something in that direction) -> Which I, as a European, interpret as "no anonimous bullshit allowed".

When that's a fact, people will automatically be responsible for their "free speech".

Which doesn't matter in the slightest. Facebook has a real name policy. Nextdoor has a real name policy. These are arguably some of the most toxic major social media platforms available.

Musk isn't suggesting a real name policy. He's suggesting "authenticating all real users". That's a wild leap beyond what either Facebook or Nextdoor do.
 
Upvote
-1 (1 / -2)

GreyAreaUK

Ars Legatus Legionis
11,304
Subscriptor
He said he is buying Coca Cola next and putting cocaine back in it. Now the libs have a reason to support him too.
No we don't. (Also... "libs"? Really? Grow up.)
Relax, why so serious?. You guys may have lost Twitter but still have Reddit and FB to go virtue signal on.

We haven't 'lost' anything, child. Musk does not own Twitter yet, and may never do so. And even if he does eventually own it I bet that most people will stick around until conditions dictate otherwise, assuming they ever do.

Sorry if that wasn't as 'triggered' as you obviously wanted, but tough.
 
Upvote
10 (10 / 0)
D

Deleted member 817175

Guest
He said he is buying Coca Cola next and putting cocaine back in it. Now the libs have a reason to support him too.
No we don't. (Also... "libs"? Really? Grow up.)
Relax, why so serious?. You guys may have lost Twitter but still have Reddit and FB to go virtue signal on.

I'm curious. What is the one thing you are most excited about being allowed to do on Twitter under Musk that you aren't now "because of the libs"?
 
Upvote
14 (14 / 0)

Uragan

Ars Legatus Legionis
11,181
He said he is buying Coca Cola next and putting cocaine back in it. Now the libs have a reason to support him too.
No we don't. (Also... "libs"? Really? Grow up.)
Relax, why so serious?. You guys may have lost Twitter but still have Reddit and FB to go virtue signal on.
Hey... stop being such a baby. I'm just pointing out that Musk wanting to put cocaine back in Coca Cola (tongue in cheek or not) isn't really going to move any liberals into his corner. If you really want to party it up with assholes and neo Nazis on Twitter, what does that make you?
 
Upvote
10 (10 / 0)
He said he is buying Coca Cola next and putting cocaine back in it. Now the libs have a reason to support him too.
No we don't. (Also... "libs"? Really? Grow up.)
Relax, why so serious?. You guys may have lost Twitter but still have Reddit and FB to go virtue signal on.

I'm curious. What is the one thing you are most excited about being allowed to do on Twitter under Musk that you aren't now "because of the libs"?

DM kids?
 
Upvote
0 (0 / 0)

Uragan

Ars Legatus Legionis
11,181
what I constantly miss in this discussion, is his statement that "everybody is going to be a registered user" (or something in that direction) -> Which I, as a European, interpret as "no anonimous bullshit allowed".

When that's a fact, people will automatically be responsible for their "free speech".

Which doesn't matter in the slightest. Facebook has a real name policy. Nextdoor has a real name policy. These are arguably some of the most toxic major social media platforms available.

Musk isn't suggesting a real name policy. He's suggesting "authenticating all real users". That's a wild leap beyond what either Facebook or Nextdoor do.
How exactly would one do that? I don't necessarily have to prove that I'm who I say I am on Facebook or Nextdoor. I can sign up under whatever name I want to.
 
Upvote
5 (5 / 0)
It's weird to me that everyone spends so much time analyzing what Musk means by "free speech" when he's been completely up front about it the entire time - he wants to be able to say whatever he wants and not suffer any consequences. It's an awesome policy if you're a billionaire with near-infinite resources and an army of sycophants, not so great if, say, you're a trans person who has to constantly justify your existence to two million "debate me bro" alt-righters.

I think the real question will be if it is "free speech" for all, or only those that Musk and his ilk agree with?


I think we all know the answer.
 
Upvote
6 (6 / 0)
what I constantly miss in this discussion, is his statement that "everybody is going to be a registered user" (or something in that direction) -> Which I, as a European, interpret as "no anonimous bullshit allowed".

When that's a fact, people will automatically be responsible for their "free speech".

Which doesn't matter in the slightest. Facebook has a real name policy. Nextdoor has a real name policy. These are arguably some of the most toxic major social media platforms available.

Musk isn't suggesting a real name policy. He's suggesting "authenticating all real users". That's a wild leap beyond what either Facebook or Nextdoor do.
How exactly would one do that? I don't necessarily have to prove that I'm who I say I am on Facebook or Nextdoor. I can sign up under whatever name I want to.
Blood samples from your last 5 generations.
 
Upvote
4 (4 / 0)
He said he is buying Coca Cola next and putting cocaine back in it. Now the libs have a reason to support him too.
No we don't. (Also... "libs"? Really? Grow up.)
Relax, why so serious?. You guys may have lost Twitter but still have Reddit and FB to go virtue signal on.

We haven't 'lost' anything, child. Musk does not own Twitter yet, and may never do so. And even if he does eventually own it I bet that most people will stick around until conditions dictate otherwise, assuming they ever do.

... I'd have to have an account in the first place to "stick around" or "lose" anything... :p
 
Upvote
4 (4 / 0)
Post content hidden for low score. Show…

Uragan

Ars Legatus Legionis
11,181
what I constantly miss in this discussion, is his statement that "everybody is going to be a registered user" (or something in that direction) -> Which I, as a European, interpret as "no anonimous bullshit allowed".

When that's a fact, people will automatically be responsible for their "free speech".

Which doesn't matter in the slightest. Facebook has a real name policy. Nextdoor has a real name policy. These are arguably some of the most toxic major social media platforms available.

Musk isn't suggesting a real name policy. He's suggesting "authenticating all real users". That's a wild leap beyond what either Facebook or Nextdoor do.
How exactly would one do that? I don't necessarily have to prove that I'm who I say I am on Facebook or Nextdoor. I can sign up under whatever name I want to.
Blood samples from your last 5 generations.
I'm surprised that songbun isn't on the table.
 
Upvote
3 (3 / 0)

Uragan

Ars Legatus Legionis
11,181
He said he is buying Coca Cola next and putting cocaine back in it. Now the libs have a reason to support him too.
No we don't. (Also... "libs"? Really? Grow up.)
Relax, why so serious?. You guys may have lost Twitter but still have Reddit and FB to go virtue signal on.

I'm curious. What is the one thing you are most excited about being allowed to do on Twitter under Musk that you aren't now "because of the libs"?
Speak freely without being censored or be jumped on by oversensitive morons?
What exactly do you want to say that you can't say on Twitter right now?
 
Upvote
17 (17 / 0)
He said he is buying Coca Cola next and putting cocaine back in it. Now the libs have a reason to support him too.
Hey, do you need some safe space to cry in? Because you seem to be getting really triggered and going all emotional about us "libs"! Don't worry, just say it with me: "My name is Required4adream and I am an anti-democracy shill". It helps! You just need to admit that your life is a total failure first, but we can work from that!
 
Upvote
12 (12 / 0)
D

Deleted member 817175

Guest
He said he is buying Coca Cola next and putting cocaine back in it. Now the libs have a reason to support him too.
No we don't. (Also... "libs"? Really? Grow up.)
Relax, why so serious?. You guys may have lost Twitter but still have Reddit and FB to go virtue signal on.

I'm curious. What is the one thing you are most excited about being allowed to do on Twitter under Musk that you aren't now "because of the libs"?
Speak freely without being censored or be jumped on by oversensitive morons?

So you want other people's ability to speak freely taken away because you don't like being criticized.

I can't say we're off to a promising start.

What views exactly are you afraid will be criticized in this fashion? I promise, we will give you a safe space to express them here.
 
Upvote
14 (14 / 0)
Upvote
8 (8 / 0)

watermeloncup

Ars Tribunus Angusticlavius
8,882
He said he is buying Coca Cola next and putting cocaine back in it. Now the libs have a reason to support him too.
No we don't. (Also... "libs"? Really? Grow up.)
Relax, why so serious?. You guys may have lost Twitter but still have Reddit and FB to go virtue signal on.

I'm curious. What is the one thing you are most excited about being allowed to do on Twitter under Musk that you aren't now "because of the libs"?
Speak freely without being censored or be jumped on by oversensitive morons?

What's censored now? And don't the oversensitive morons have the right to say their piece to you too?
 
Upvote
11 (11 / 0)
Post content hidden for low score. Show…
He said he is buying Coca Cola next and putting cocaine back in it. Now the libs have a reason to support him too.
No we don't. (Also... "libs"? Really? Grow up.)
Relax, why so serious?. You guys may have lost Twitter but still have Reddit and FB to go virtue signal on.

I'm curious. What is the one thing you are most excited about being allowed to do on Twitter under Musk that you aren't now "because of the libs"?
Speak freely without being censored or be jumped on by oversensitive morons?

I'm sorry to hear that you can't handle criticism. Perhaps the internet is not for you.
 
Upvote
11 (11 / 0)

mpfaff

Ars Praefectus
3,142
Subscriptor++
He said he is buying Coca Cola next and putting cocaine back in it. Now the libs have a reason to support him too.
No we don't. (Also... "libs"? Really? Grow up.)
Relax, why so serious?. You guys may have lost Twitter but still have Reddit and FB to go virtue signal on.

I'm curious. What is the one thing you are most excited about being allowed to do on Twitter under Musk that you aren't now "because of the libs"?
Speak freely without being censored or be jumped on by oversensitive morons?

What kind of thing can't you talk about right now without being jumped by "oversensitive morons"? Also Musk's Twitter isn't going to stop people from calling you out.
 
Upvote
9 (9 / 0)
The hysterical reaction to Elon Musk buying twitter is truly remarkable, and depressing. Reacting that way means you are so consumed by your ideology that everything is a threat. How do you find the courage to leave your house or talk to a girl? I bet you don't.

Twitter couldn't possibly get worse. If you believe twitter could get worse under new management you're not a serious person.

The insane rage directed at Musk shows how much a person believes their viewpoint or ego are too brittle to encounter any confrontation at all.

Pathetic really.


Alright. Share examples of "rage" directed as Musk please. And cosndiering that musk sees racism and sexism as okay, and saying racist things is not "illegal" yes there are quite a few ways it could get worse.

For example. Is moderating content for kids "censorship"?
 
Upvote
9 (9 / 0)

mpfaff

Ars Praefectus
3,142
Subscriptor++
The hysterical reaction to Elon Musk buying twitter is truly remarkable, and depressing. Reacting that way means you are so consumed by your ideology that everything is a threat. How do you find the courage to leave your house or talk to a girl? I bet you don't.

Twitter couldn't possibly get worse. If you believe twitter could get worse under new management you're not a serious person.

The insane rage directed at Musk shows how much a person believes their viewpoint or ego are too brittle to encounter any confrontation at all.

Pathetic really.

Cool, another unique and valuable take. People who criticize Elon Musk are virgins, way to show everyone how badass and not at all sensitive you are. I'm sure your T levels are in the stratosphere.
 
Upvote
14 (14 / 0)
In many ways, this feels like yet another instance of 'wealthy white techbro finds out that thing outside their expertise is in fact complex after all'.

He's just riding the free speech train on his way to making crazy amounts of money. He doesn't actually care about free speech, as he has proven many times in the past.

I'm not sure how people don't seem to grasp that concept? Are that many people really so brainwashed?
Well, 60 million of them voted for Trump, so you can use that as a starting point.
 
Upvote
6 (6 / 0)
Post content hidden for low score. Show…
The hysterical reaction to Elon Musk buying twitter is truly remarkable, and depressing. Reacting that way means you are so consumed by your ideology that everything is a threat. How do you find the courage to leave your house or talk to a girl? I bet you don't.

Twitter couldn't possibly get worse. If you believe twitter could get worse under new management you're not a serious person.

The insane rage directed at Musk shows how much a person believes their viewpoint or ego are too brittle to encounter any confrontation at all.

Pathetic really.
Another poor triggered sensitive soul making a "statement" – but we got you covered! You just need to admit it, but we understand you feel insecure deep inside you and no girl ever talked to you nicely unless you count "buzz off" as nice talk. Admitting douchebaggery is the first step in the program to get better! ESA [Elon Simps Anonymous] always has your side, you can do it!
 
Upvote
8 (8 / 0)

Hmnhntr

Ars Scholae Palatinae
3,062
He said he is buying Coca Cola next and putting cocaine back in it. Now the libs have a reason to support him too.
No we don't. (Also... "libs"? Really? Grow up.)
Relax, why so serious?. You guys may have lost Twitter but still have Reddit and FB to go virtue signal on.

Ah yes, "virtue signal". Because there's no way people actually care about marginalized groups. It's just performative so we can win brownie points. And the Right has never been associated with large organizations infamous for preaching to other people purely for the appearance of having the moral high ground.
 
Upvote
19 (19 / 0)

aerogems

Ars Scholae Palatinae
7,298
In another tweet after completing his deal with the Twitter board, Musk wrote that "Truth Social is currently beating Twitter & TikTok on the Apple Store,"
And while that sounds amazing to someone who is dumb, Truth Social is estimated to have barely more than a half million daily active users. Twitter has more than 200 million DAUs as of Q4 of last year with TikTok at around 50 million in the US alone.

Not to mention Truth Social moderates any comments it doesn't like. Try posting the election wasn't stolen and Trump lost.

Or about Devin Nunes' cows. 🐄🐮🐄
 
Upvote
9 (9 / 0)