The ongoing X and Elon Musk Transgressions Thread

[Azure]

I'm sure lots are bots because we know that Twitter has a big problem with them anyways.

But its rather simplistic and naive to go ahead and assume that it is only being done by one side. If it is this easy, then any big account that is trying to exert influence via their follower account and reach is going to manipulate everything they can in order to do that.

This is one of the bigger issues that Twitter has, and has been a big complaint by many when it comes to 'why isn't this being fixed', and it really isn't a left/right issue, but rather why isn't the company improving on the platform to generate shareholder value issue.

What is happening is really strange though because as far as I know, Twitter just locked down the source code and perhaps other stuff to make sure nothing gets wrecked by a disgruntled employee, and that was probably a condition of the purchase agreement.

Lots of people are saying their follower accounts are going through the roof, and it cannot be organic growth. So either it is bots, or someone shut down all the 'shadow banning' that has been rumored to happen for many years. Either way really strange.

[JohnnyB]

One of Musk's earlier tweets about what he would like to see implemented on twitter regarding payments was that having a blue checkmark would be something you pay a small fee for. This checkmark would still be different from those of recognized public figures, but would be intended to be affordable for people while being cost prohibitive for bot farms that open thousands of accounts. Not sure this really makes a lot of sense to me, and would seem like implementation wouldn't be easy without also making it cost prohibitive for a lot of regular people from poorer places in the world, but it's an idea he has tweeted about recently.

Also, Twitter already does have a paid version called Twitter Blue. It allows for easier thread reading, elimination of ads, tweet editing, verified ownership of NFT profile pictures, and a few other things I think. I don't know what usage stats are for it, and haven't used it myself, but it was introduced for around $4/month a few months ago.

[Sr. Mints]

https://www.reuters.com/breakingview...er-2022-04-27/

Speculation that Musk will back away from Twitter deal

[zamler]

There are good reasons for him to get cold feet. The biggest is Tesla. The electric-vehicle maker’s stock has fallen around a fifth since Musk first revealed his stake in Twitter, partly because Musk may sell shares to fund his new adventure. If Tesla’s stock bounces back – likely if the Twitter deal falls away – the $40 billion of recouped wealth would more than make up for the break fee.

6 weeks ago TSLA was under $770 the author of that article is clueless. Maybe Musk won't actually buy Twitter but it will have zero to do with Tesla.

[AFireInside]

Originally Posted by Sr. Mints

https://www.reuters.com/breakingview...er-2022-04-27/

Speculation that Musk will back away from Twitter deal

He fixed Flints water, built millions of ventilators, built a submarine to rescue kids, and solved world hunger, there's no way he's not going to follow through.

[burn_this_city]

Yeah the 10% discount of TWTR shares vs the bid price tells us that this isn't close to a done deal.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Yeah the 10% discount of TWTR shares vs the bid price tells us that this isn't close to a done deal.

of course, its an insane over valuation of the company by any normal method of stock assessment

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by AFireInside

He fixed Flints water, built millions of ventilators, built a submarine to rescue kids, and solved world hunger, there's no way he's not going to follow through.

Now you've done it. Get ready for impotent rage from Musk nerds.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by AFireInside

He fixed Flints water, built millions of ventilators, built a submarine to rescue kids, and solved world hunger, there's no way he's not going to follow through.

And called one of the actual rescuers "pedo boy"

[Ozy_Flame]

Well then. This 'free speech' thing should be interesting.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1519735033950470144

[Erick Estrada]

Meh. I think as long as he's really what he thinks he is it will be fine as center is where you want to be. He really needs to change that photo. I get that he likes his aviators but there's nothing more obnoxious than sunglasses in your profile photo. It makes his face more punchable than it already is.

[BlackArcher101]

And yet he precedes it with this

https://twitter.com/user/status/1519415674111672325

[Fuzz]

He makes these grandiose statements, like he is some altruistic thinker, then moments late ridicules and bullies people like a teenager. He's not really a person to idolize for his way of thinking, yet so many do.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Meh. I think as long as he's really what he thinks he is it will be fine as center is where you want to be. He really needs to change that photo. I get that he likes his aviators but there's nothing more obnoxious than sunglasses in your profile photo. It makes his face more punchable than it already is.

Also, the notion that the far right hasn't moved is dumb as hell. Trump, QAnon, etc.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

And yet he precedes it with this

https://twitter.com/user/status/1519415674111672325

Which is an incredibly stupid statement.

[CliffFletcher]

Setting aside Musk’s politics and public behaviour, anyone who thinks suppressing misinformation on social media is straightforward is delusional. It’s an incredibly difficult problem.

Scientific progress relies on unrelenting criticism of the status quo. And in fields like psychology that already suffer from a replication crisis (most of the classic studies taught for decades have been discredited), there’s almost no such thing as firmly established consensus. But there are institutions that have an interest in suppressing dissent, and which can make plausible arguments that dissenting theories inflict harm.

https://erikhoel.substack.com/p/elon...the-crisis?s=w

[Fuzz]

Of course it isn't easy. But ignoring the issue isn't really working out all that well, either. And before you ask, no I don't have a solution.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Setting aside Musk’s politics and public behaviour, anyone who thinks suppressing misinformation on social media is straightforward is delusional. It’s an incredibly difficult problem.

Scientific progress relies on unrelenting criticism of the status quo. And in fields like psychology that already suffer from a replication crisis (most of the classic studies taught for decades have been discredited), there’s almost no such thing as firmly established consensus. But there are institutions that have an interest in suppressing dissent, and which can make plausible arguments that dissenting theories inflict harm.

https://erikhoel.substack.com/p/elon...the-crisis?s=w

Sure, I guess, on the suppressing misinformation is easy part (is anyone really arguing otherwise?). But is there any reasonable argument to suggest that removing or greatly limiting moderation will be effective in suppressing misinformation? That seems to be what Musk is suggesting. Public square nonsense, as if the public square doesn't have rules and moderation.

[Azure]

He isn't saying it shouldn't have moderation, but that the moderation should be based on what the law actually says in terms of what is considered free speech & what isn't.

There are lots of examples of Twitter not abiding by lawful free speech rules when it came to banning users or blocking posts.

But that is all worthless if he can't make money with it. I think there is potential, but it needs to be done the right way. One big thing I think that will happen is cutting 25% of the staff. For a platform that is pretty crappy, it sure has a lot of employees.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Azure

There are lots of examples of Twitter not abiding by lawful free speech rules when it came to banning users or blocking posts.

Except Twitter is a private company and only subject to its own ToS. They provide a platform for speech, but they are not bound by free speech laws anymore than any other business is.