Welcome to X: Musk's Vision for the Future of Social Media
When Elon Musk took control of X, formerly known as Twitter, in 2022, his ambitions for the platform were uncertain. However, his strategy quickly became apparent.
Musk's first step was to implement cost-cutting measures, resulting in a drastic reduction of almost 90% of X's workforce. This decision set a trend in Silicon Valley, with other CEOs following suit and making significant layoffs to improve efficiency in a high-interest rate economy.
In addition to cutting costs, Musk aimed to reshape X according to his own ideals. Presenting himself as an anti-elitist and a champion of free speech, he eliminated X's verification system that prioritized journalists, politicians, academics, and celebrities. Now, anyone can pay for verification.
Musk also made changes to X's content moderation practices. With a reduced trust and safety team, the responsibility for regulating harmful or incorrect posts fell on X's "Community Notes" feature.
Finally, Musk rebranded the platform from Twitter to X, marking a symbolic shift in his control over the company.
A Political Tool: Musk's Influence on Global Affairs
With his ownership of X, Elon Musk has become an influential figure in shaping public opinion on various global issues. From conflicts to elections, millions of people rely on X to consume news.
In November, Musk traveled to Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog. He also visited sites affected by terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas. This visit followed his amplification of an antisemitic tweet, which he defended as "the actual truth."
Earlier in the year, Musk attended an AI summit in the UK and shared a stage with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. During the event, he referred to AI as a "magic genie problem."
Musk has also met with heads of state from countries such as South Korea, India, Turkey, and France. In China, he embarked on a whirlwind tour, holding meetings with ministers from various departments of the Chinese Communist Party.
Back in the US, Musk has been hosting broadcasts on Spaces, inviting presidential hopefuls like Ron DeSantis to launch their campaigns. His motivation for these political engagements stems from his desire to combat what he refers to as the "woke mind virus."
Intra-CEO Beef: Musk's Conflicts with Industry Leaders
Elon Musk has never been one to shy away from confrontation, as evidenced by his public disputes with other prominent figures.
One notable feud was with Mark Zuckerberg, who launched a rival platform called Threads under the Meta umbrella. Musk responded by challenging Zuckerberg to an MMA fight, although the proposed event never took place.
He has also exchanged heated words with Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, over the website's donation requests. Similarly, Musk has expressed "mixed feelings" about Sam Altman, the CEO of ChatGPT and his co-founder at OpenAI.
Musk's criticism extended to the business world as well. He called for the immediate firing of Disney CEO Bob Iger after the company ceased advertising on X.
The Future of X: Uncertainty and Speculation
Despite Elon Musk's immense influence on X, there are concerns about the platform's future viability. Advertisers have reportedly abandoned X, leading to a decline in revenue. Some speculate that Musk's deliberate actions may be aimed at reducing interest payments on the debt he incurred during the takeover. As a result, there is uncertainty regarding the platform's existence beyond 2024.
While Elon Musk's reign over X has undoubtedly elevated his fame and influence, the future of the platform remains uncertain. Regardless, Musk's impact on the digital landscape and global affairs cannot be denied.
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By: hchowdhury@insider.com (Hasan Chowdhury)
Title: How Elon Musk’s Dominance on X Propelled Him to Extreme Fame in 2023
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-x-tesla-most-famous-person-in-the-world-2023-12
Published Date: Fri, 22 Dec 2023 08:01:01 +0000
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