What could go right? Twitter’s biased leadership is gone. Elon will take all his actions publicly, like he has always done. Also and more importantly everything stemming from a free fair town square that shares all their previously secret censoring algorithms publicly. I love Elon, he breaks the mold and then rebuilds it as rockets and electric cars. In our new free and truly public forum I am happy to let the world come together and see what we can all figure out together. Now who can do the same to Facebook?
What could go wrong? Have you seen the movie Citizen Kane?
Free speech is markedly different from the baked in algorithms that drive people from free speech into an AI curated “wash, rinse, repeat cycle.” There are many public square analogies; just look at the Salem Witch trials for one.
Guess what I’m saying/asking is how can his vision be any different that the current, only more “Wild West” oriented.
A nation of equally enforced laws holds the public accountable, just as a fact-checked, responsible media holds politicians accountable. Democracy oversees the entire process. I fear all three are on the precipice of the rabbit hole and more social media “news” will be the final nudge that ends all three.
Given that Elon musk has stated publicly a dozen times he is looking to allow free speech including his most severe critics as well as publishing publicly the algorithms previously used to delete unacceptable posts tells me it will be 10 times better than the current or should I say previous leadership that would not publish the algorithms and who seemingly blocked almost exclusively conservative voices. The good news is we will all know what happens in the next couple months because it will all be openly on public display for the first time. On that I believe we can agree.
If there is “transparency” the algorithms will still run regardless, with the same impact. Moreover, since I do my best to deal in facts, I am not on board that conservative voices were almost exclusively silenced unless I see clear, factual evidence to corroborate that position.
To be clear, I do value when hate speech and other inciting posts are managed and repeat offenders are banned, regardless of who they may be.
If the algorithms are public, we can know and therefore lobby twitter to make them fair and agreed upon, today we have no idea. You must see the difference.
You can lobby until you are blue in the face but a person like Musk will continue down the same path. Transparency does not always equal positive change. It does often lead to greater frustration as the bad stuff is more obvious, much like when politicians make recorded statements then later say “…I never said that.” Or the great you took me out of context or I didn’t mean it that way.
I’ve seen it several times but I would also invite you to look at any of Elon Musk‘s last 100 interviews to understand who he is and where he’s coming from. sounds like we agree to disagree, and we can both watch what happens in real time. Have a great day!
As with all media today (Yes, that includes Understandably) - you can take nothing as gospel. At least Understandably makes you think about the issues -- whereas most of the media screams and yells what's dire and important to you. I get a kick out of the television and radio that they have a story every day and every broadcast that is "breaking news." And I'm a news junkie - but you can't believe everything you read or hear or tweet. It's sad that what drives all this is "eyeballs" which translates into $$$$ for the owners. The more eyeballs, the more $$$$. Speaking with a local news anchor, he brought up that there were 7 factual errors in a broadcast - but the producer responded, "But didn't you feel the energy in the show.
? Wasn't that great?" So the news has become entertainment, not journalism. A sad day for the world.
"Breaking news" is my pet peeve these days. I turn the channel the second those words appear on the screen. I'll probably miss the end of the world because I'll quit watching, lol.
Breaking News! The news industry was taken over by the Entertainment divisions of the networks years ago. This is how FOX manages to stay on the air. This is why Les Moonves was thrilled about a trump candidacy; it would make for great TV. The FCC has been effectively muffled and the Fairness Doctrine went to the grave before Reagan. We get pap now got news. That’s why informative newsletters are so important. We’ve got to control all the noise coming at us and be smart about our sources of info.
Mr Musk has indicated he wants to champion free speech ( or something to that effect) through his ownership of Twitter. This begs the question " what is free speech in his view?"
It makes me wonder how each side of the political spectrum views free speech. Let's face it, most speech considered controversial is political in nature. My conclusion is that free speech is viewed in the most favorable light by those proposing it and in the most negative light by those opposing it. Also, if Mr Musk wishes to champion free speech, did he pick the best platform? As Mr Murphy noted, not a lot of people use it anymore. Of course Twitter will now be driven by the cult of personality that Elon Musk represents so stay tuned.
set aside the US and consider... the next autocratic state undergoing a revolution by the people. now they have twitter AND Elon can sidestep the dictator's ability to 'turn off the internet' with his satellites. nothing is purely good or purely evil (with rare exceptions in history). there is potential for good coming from this, even if there are some negative things that develop.
I think if u take the time to investigate you will find that all big media and big companies that have influence are owned or controlled by one family or person… ie Washington Post , Bloomberg, fox , cnn , Marriott, …. Twitter is no different…. Dorsey controlled it and now musk will …so why so worried… it’s the way it’s always been …. The very rich control the message!
I have no interest in Twitter or any of that stuff.
What interests me most about Elon Musk is his beautiful mother who is a Cover Girl model. His father is a board-certified dysfunctional rascal but she kept the family together.
I quit Twitter long ago, but because of its oversize influence (largely because journalists operate under the false/lazy impression that it is accurate reflection of sentiment) I have a lot invested in trying to make it less awful. To me the free speech debate is a distraction, but rather the main issue that Musk is looking to solve is the corrosive effect of the free/ad/data farming model on the Internet. He is one of the few people in the world with the means and the will to wrest Twitter from stockholders and try to develop the network with goals other than growth in mind. I have no idea if he will get it right, because the problem of incentives and behavior on social networks is clearly extremely complicated. But I am happy that there's someone around that is at least giving the problem a crack.
SNL skit from when SNL was actually worth watching is upsetting folks? I guess that’s on twitter? Why would anybody go back to look at something that old, which was a comedy skit, a somewhat entertaining one in my view…and look at it hard enough to find something to be upset about?
No let me say offended, since that seems to be “the thing” these days, choosing to be offended. Heck. I’m retired and I don’t even have the time to waste looking for something to offend me. 😬
I’m with you on that - retired as well and somehow busy as hell! I sure miss those first few years of SNL and all the cast members that made it special.
“I land on the latter. Individual people often disappoint me, but I do tend to have faith in humanity as a whole, because what's the alternative?”
One alternative would be to have faith in God. :-)
I like how you think about institutions vs individuals at first. But the more I thought about, the more I thought that while institutions are more stable, predictable and maybe even safe (in a manner) what I like about individuals is that fresh ideas tend to get a much better hearing and opportunity to flourish (or fail). This is why I like small businesses over mega-corporations. But I digress. Love your newsletter. Only one I read. Only one I get. Write on, dude!
What are people upset about in regards to the King Tut skit?? No link. Anxious to find out because if people are upset over an SNL skit, I can think of a plethora of other ones that are significantly more offensive than this one could possibly be.
His popularity resides on the Indy and republican sides; not the Democratic side. That’s just pathetic. He should just step out of the closet next election cycle and run as the republican low life he’s proved himself to be far too many times.
What could go right? Twitter’s biased leadership is gone. Elon will take all his actions publicly, like he has always done. Also and more importantly everything stemming from a free fair town square that shares all their previously secret censoring algorithms publicly. I love Elon, he breaks the mold and then rebuilds it as rockets and electric cars. In our new free and truly public forum I am happy to let the world come together and see what we can all figure out together. Now who can do the same to Facebook?
What could go wrong? Have you seen the movie Citizen Kane?
Free speech is markedly different from the baked in algorithms that drive people from free speech into an AI curated “wash, rinse, repeat cycle.” There are many public square analogies; just look at the Salem Witch trials for one.
Guess what I’m saying/asking is how can his vision be any different that the current, only more “Wild West” oriented.
A nation of equally enforced laws holds the public accountable, just as a fact-checked, responsible media holds politicians accountable. Democracy oversees the entire process. I fear all three are on the precipice of the rabbit hole and more social media “news” will be the final nudge that ends all three.
Given that Elon musk has stated publicly a dozen times he is looking to allow free speech including his most severe critics as well as publishing publicly the algorithms previously used to delete unacceptable posts tells me it will be 10 times better than the current or should I say previous leadership that would not publish the algorithms and who seemingly blocked almost exclusively conservative voices. The good news is we will all know what happens in the next couple months because it will all be openly on public display for the first time. On that I believe we can agree.
Sorry but I am unable to agree.
If there is “transparency” the algorithms will still run regardless, with the same impact. Moreover, since I do my best to deal in facts, I am not on board that conservative voices were almost exclusively silenced unless I see clear, factual evidence to corroborate that position.
To be clear, I do value when hate speech and other inciting posts are managed and repeat offenders are banned, regardless of who they may be.
If the algorithms are public, we can know and therefore lobby twitter to make them fair and agreed upon, today we have no idea. You must see the difference.
You can lobby until you are blue in the face but a person like Musk will continue down the same path. Transparency does not always equal positive change. It does often lead to greater frustration as the bad stuff is more obvious, much like when politicians make recorded statements then later say “…I never said that.” Or the great you took me out of context or I didn’t mean it that way.
Wishing and hoping doesn’t make it so.
Like I said earlier, watch Citizen Kane again.
I’ve seen it several times but I would also invite you to look at any of Elon Musk‘s last 100 interviews to understand who he is and where he’s coming from. sounds like we agree to disagree, and we can both watch what happens in real time. Have a great day!
As with all media today (Yes, that includes Understandably) - you can take nothing as gospel. At least Understandably makes you think about the issues -- whereas most of the media screams and yells what's dire and important to you. I get a kick out of the television and radio that they have a story every day and every broadcast that is "breaking news." And I'm a news junkie - but you can't believe everything you read or hear or tweet. It's sad that what drives all this is "eyeballs" which translates into $$$$ for the owners. The more eyeballs, the more $$$$. Speaking with a local news anchor, he brought up that there were 7 factual errors in a broadcast - but the producer responded, "But didn't you feel the energy in the show.
? Wasn't that great?" So the news has become entertainment, not journalism. A sad day for the world.
"Breaking news" is my pet peeve these days. I turn the channel the second those words appear on the screen. I'll probably miss the end of the world because I'll quit watching, lol.
Breaking News! The news industry was taken over by the Entertainment divisions of the networks years ago. This is how FOX manages to stay on the air. This is why Les Moonves was thrilled about a trump candidacy; it would make for great TV. The FCC has been effectively muffled and the Fairness Doctrine went to the grave before Reagan. We get pap now got news. That’s why informative newsletters are so important. We’ve got to control all the noise coming at us and be smart about our sources of info.
That’s why i use legitimate print sources. NYT, WaPo, etc. and minimize TV news.
Mr Musk has indicated he wants to champion free speech ( or something to that effect) through his ownership of Twitter. This begs the question " what is free speech in his view?"
It makes me wonder how each side of the political spectrum views free speech. Let's face it, most speech considered controversial is political in nature. My conclusion is that free speech is viewed in the most favorable light by those proposing it and in the most negative light by those opposing it. Also, if Mr Musk wishes to champion free speech, did he pick the best platform? As Mr Murphy noted, not a lot of people use it anymore. Of course Twitter will now be driven by the cult of personality that Elon Musk represents so stay tuned.
Twitter is used by over 200MM people daily. It is the single largest information dissemination system in the world.
And that is frightening.
“the presidential line of succession is a ticking constitutional time bomb….”
Tell us more….!
set aside the US and consider... the next autocratic state undergoing a revolution by the people. now they have twitter AND Elon can sidestep the dictator's ability to 'turn off the internet' with his satellites. nothing is purely good or purely evil (with rare exceptions in history). there is potential for good coming from this, even if there are some negative things that develop.
I think if u take the time to investigate you will find that all big media and big companies that have influence are owned or controlled by one family or person… ie Washington Post , Bloomberg, fox , cnn , Marriott, …. Twitter is no different…. Dorsey controlled it and now musk will …so why so worried… it’s the way it’s always been …. The very rich control the message!
I have no interest in Twitter or any of that stuff.
What interests me most about Elon Musk is his beautiful mother who is a Cover Girl model. His father is a board-certified dysfunctional rascal but she kept the family together.
Color me an istitutionalist as well. For all the same reasons.
I quit Twitter long ago, but because of its oversize influence (largely because journalists operate under the false/lazy impression that it is accurate reflection of sentiment) I have a lot invested in trying to make it less awful. To me the free speech debate is a distraction, but rather the main issue that Musk is looking to solve is the corrosive effect of the free/ad/data farming model on the Internet. He is one of the few people in the world with the means and the will to wrest Twitter from stockholders and try to develop the network with goals other than growth in mind. I have no idea if he will get it right, because the problem of incentives and behavior on social networks is clearly extremely complicated. But I am happy that there's someone around that is at least giving the problem a crack.
Has life gotten so comfortable that people have time to find a 45 year old comedy skit and complain 🙄. That’s the REAL threat to free speech.
SNL skit from when SNL was actually worth watching is upsetting folks? I guess that’s on twitter? Why would anybody go back to look at something that old, which was a comedy skit, a somewhat entertaining one in my view…and look at it hard enough to find something to be upset about?
No let me say offended, since that seems to be “the thing” these days, choosing to be offended. Heck. I’m retired and I don’t even have the time to waste looking for something to offend me. 😬
I’m with you on that - retired as well and somehow busy as hell! I sure miss those first few years of SNL and all the cast members that made it special.
“I land on the latter. Individual people often disappoint me, but I do tend to have faith in humanity as a whole, because what's the alternative?”
One alternative would be to have faith in God. :-)
I like how you think about institutions vs individuals at first. But the more I thought about, the more I thought that while institutions are more stable, predictable and maybe even safe (in a manner) what I like about individuals is that fresh ideas tend to get a much better hearing and opportunity to flourish (or fail). This is why I like small businesses over mega-corporations. But I digress. Love your newsletter. Only one I read. Only one I get. Write on, dude!
What are people upset about in regards to the King Tut skit?? No link. Anxious to find out because if people are upset over an SNL skit, I can think of a plethora of other ones that are significantly more offensive than this one could possibly be.
Can't understand why Steve Martin's King Tut video would be upsetting to the hyper over sensitive masses. What ever happened to a sense of humor? SMH.
Yes. What could go right. Be part of the Solution.
"Popular Democrat Joe Manchin"?
Ummm......no. Not in his lifetime.
His popularity resides on the Indy and republican sides; not the Democratic side. That’s just pathetic. He should just step out of the closet next election cycle and run as the republican low life he’s proved himself to be far too many times.