Elon Musk is one of the richest men on the planet. He's also among the most controversial.
In recent weeks, Musk made headlines for his $44 billion buyout of Twitter, which sparked concerns among liberals and civil rights activists who have warned about the consequences of having one person have so much control over public discourse online.
Musk has defended his venture as a bid to protect free speech and while there exist many editorials analyzing his motives in this venture (to say nothing of his others), there are also many people out there who consider him a visionary and have balked at criticisms of him.
We heard from a few of those people after Redditor return2ozma asked the online community,
"Those who defend Elon Musk, why do you feel the need to defend him?"
"All of that stuff..."
"I dont really care about Musk himself. My issue is the sheer hypocrisy."
"People are suddenly saying the speech will be restricted and he will use his power to selectively ban accounts like Big Tech (especially Twitter) haven't been doing that for years."
"MSNBC said that he would use it to promote good info on presidential candidates he likes and hide good info on candidates he doesn't. That he would exaggerate the bad and put it to the front for candidates he hates while doing the opposite for those he likes. like Big Tech (and mainstream media) hasnt been doing that for years."
"People are screaming that billionaires are able to purchase entire media platforms. like Billionaires havent been doing that for years. All of that stuff they were mocking political opponents for suddenly might be used on them, and now it's an issue?"
InvisibleMe21
People have been complaining about the very things you have raised. And also complaining about Musk who has historically proven he is not really a fan of free and open speech.
"A lot of people hate him..."
"I don't defend him. But when people make assumptions and straight up lie, I will call them out for it. A lot of people hate him, just because it's trendy to do so. In reality they don't know anything about him."
[deleted]
I mean, that's fine. But, when people make up lies to prop up Elon, I hope you have that same enthusiasm for the truth.
"If you're reading this..."
"If you’re reading this, then you’re old enough to know that mainstream media sets the mood for the perception of public figures, but also that that mood is never some objectively accurate measure of the persons overall goodness or badness. Media is like fashion: winds change."
"So don’t come at me saying “why does your opinion differ from the sentiment I happen to have read in the news lately?” That is inherently a dumb question."
"Real answer: Because when he says his goal is to make life interplanetary and spread consciousness to the stars, I believe that’s genuine."
"I honestly don’t understand how you can justify believing he’s not driven to make the world a better place: his motivation leaks through every single endeavor he undertakes."
Do you really think it’s a coincidence that the same guy who popularized electric cars is also pushing forward other optimistic, utopian-aiming tech like solar energy, high-speed rail and tunnel infrastructure, brain-computer interfaces, space exploration, and uncensorable Internet?"
"To that, I say: what an extraordinary coincidence that the guy who’s supposedly a fraud and big danger to humanity is simultaneously involved in so many things that a real tech-oriented humanist would be. Extraordinary coincidence!"
"The real question is, 1) why the hate? and 2) given the above how can you actually justify thinking he’s not genuinely all about advancing the human race?"
"I fear y’all only hate him because he’s a bit autistic, combined with jealousy, but especially combined with the fact he’s been getting piled on a lot."
adamisom
You can certainly make an argument that mainstream media doesn't like him but many people just don't like the man's attitude and entitlement.
"He can be a real jerk. He does things I don't agree with, and is famous enough that a lot of his personal life is public. And the people attacking him seem to forget that he has a right to be himself. If he were running for public office then we should worry about what he believes, but until then, let him be him."
"He's on the autism spectrum, and so am I, so I guess I'm a little sensitive to the fact that his brain works differently, and he sees things differently, and he gets attacked for it. I defend him against people who attack him for being different because in many ways I feel like I'm defending my right to be different and see the world in a way that others do not."
AlsoNotTheMamma
While I do not find Elon in any way shape or form to be a role model of mine, I do applaud your reasoned and level headed response.
"If he gets us to Mars..."
"If he gets us to Mars in the next decade or so, I think he will be every young kid's role model whether we like it or not."
"The important thing for me is that he's not perfect, and I don't expect him to be. Flawed people can accomplish great things if they work hard. And have access to money."
AlsoNotTheMamma
The key here, of course, is money. If you don't have any money, what can you actually do?
"I wouldn’t say I like Musk as a person either but that doesn’t mean I would discredit all of the massive advancements in innovation and technology he has done for the world."
rbui5000
Safe to say he's very much a "love him or hate him" sort of figure. There is no in-between.
"I don't get the blind hate..."
"I don't get the blind hate or blind love of him. I am amazed by what he has achieved in a number of areas, he's clearly a brilliant clear thinker in terms of engineering, but he's still flawed. He says and does things I don't like, but so far the world is a much better place because of him."
mother-a-god
Granted, all the billionaire hate is justified. Is the world actually better when Musk symbolizes so much of its inequality?
"He's not someone I admire or desire to emulate. However, the world's innovation is driven by people like this guy, and as controversial as he is he does a lot of good things."
[deleted]
Can you elaborate on this for people who don't follow him?
"I don't really defend him. I just think self driving electric cars and rockets are pretty cool."
Rorty
Okay, fair! Those things are indeed pretty cool.
There's no doubt that Elon Musk is one of the most polarizing figures in the world. How he'll continue to effect the world we live in remains to be seen but whatever lies in store for us is bound to have significant impacts on society at large.
Have opinions of your own? Tell us more in the comments below!
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The world's richest person in the world, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, is planning to take over the social media app of all social media apps–Twitter.
But let's say we're there already. An unnamed Redditor asked:
"Elon Musk just bought Twitter. What happens next?"
People on social media could follow a trend.
Following A Trend
"People pretend to leave but don't actually leave."
– MrBananaStorm
The Other Platform
"Also: people declaring they're leaving for Instagram without realizing that's owned by Zucc."
– majima__goro
Owned
"next Elon buys Reddit."
– sanman
On To The Next
"Paperwork. Then checks cut to the stockholders to buy them out."
– User Deleted
The potential buyout might not cause any mayhem at all.
Life Goes On
"For me, nothing. Continue with my daily life without twitter, that sh*ts toxic."
– itsMondaybackwards
Ignorance Is Bliss
"Yea why are people so angry about this? I'm genuinely asking, I don't know anything about twitter and Elon Musk."
– doggrimoire
Pet-opia
"Cats and dogs living together."
– tewnewt
Some Things Never Change
"Nothing, Twitter stays the same hellhole lmao."
– ilovecatfish
No New Customer
"I'm not sure I care. Don't use it now, won't use it when he owns it."
– bh0
Some people are just bracing themselves.
Lies Resume
"The return of Donald Trump on twitter."
– laja7
Indication Of Damages Done
"Musk is wanting to boot the bots, which should undermine tons of election interference, but I fear they've already created a self-perpetuating monster. Twitter may be unable to distinguish between extremist and algorithm. Regardless of his success, it is a job that needs to be done."
– borg286
It's Conditional
"If he succeeds in removing 'unauthentic' content, it could be good for discourse. If he turns it into a misinformation free for all, I’m out."
– pallentx
No one knows for sure what's in store for us in a world of Musk ruling over the Twitterverse.
But let's focus on and help fast-track autonomous vehicles for safe public transportation before Twitter begins a potential crash-and-burn trajectory.
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Sheryl Crow Was Having An Issue With Her Tesla Screen, And Elon Musk Himself Stepped In To Help Out
Singer Sheryl Crow did what many people do when they have a problem with something: She went to Twitter for advice.
The Twitter community is enormous and someone's bound to have the answer you need, right?
What if your question relates to your Tesla and the person who responds to you is none other than Tesla CEO Elon Musk?
That's exactly what happened after Crow said her Tesla's screen was misbehaving.
Help! Who knows what to do when your @Tesla screen goes black and the reset doesn’t work? Return it and get your m… https://t.co/vo2ndT17CA— Sheryl Crow (@Sheryl Crow) 1554307863.0
It turns out Crow's problem was easy to solve, especially once Musk was on the case. The remedy? Turning up the brightness.
@SherylCrow @Tesla Change your screen preference from night mode to auto— Elon Musk (@Elon Musk) 1554325266.0
@SherylCrow @Tesla Night mode with 0% brightness is actually too dark during the day. This is ultimately our fault.… https://t.co/VpLkz5FNRh— Elon Musk (@Elon Musk) 1554331133.0
The company's working on a number of fixes, he added.
@EVLatino @SherylCrow @Tesla Night mode default brightness is actually too high imo. Should be lower & allow below… https://t.co/IPAcU4Wygc— Elon Musk (@Elon Musk) 1554331850.0
It certainly made for a cute interaction.
Lmao when sheryl crow says she’s returning her broken Tesla and Elon hits back with “turn the brightness up idiot” https://t.co/QySxy6Conw— benny and the jets and big k (@benny and the jets and big k) 1554325676.0
Frankly I’m a little mad at @SherylCrow for causing today’s #Tesla stock price drop. $TSLA $TSLAQ https://t.co/rBl1LvIfXu— 🐶Earl of Frunkpuppy🐶 (@🐶Earl of Frunkpuppy🐶) 1554378163.0
@elonmusk @SherylCrow @Tesla lol this is like the peak of customer service.— Ursus (@Ursus) 1554325659.0
@elonmusk @SherylCrow @Tesla So now the CEO is also the customer service guy— Nabil Zouhir (@Nabil Zouhir) 1554325348.0
Crow later tweeted her thanks, though it's unclear who actually ended up solving the problem.
Problem solved! LOVED all of your creative responses. Best one was suggesting my kids take a look... which would h… https://t.co/cGlTwfMDRQ— Sheryl Crow (@Sheryl Crow) 1554331911.0
Oh, and she also had a message for Tesla "haters":
Also, for the haters: I love my @Tesla, and have very few problems. I got the basic model, nothing overly fancy, an… https://t.co/f3aMTyPtYW— Sheryl Crow (@Sheryl Crow) 1554332100.0
Musk even thanked her!
@SherylCrow @Tesla Glad you like it! Sorry about the trouble earlier. Helpful feedback for improving the car!— Elon Musk (@Elon Musk) 1554339556.0
You tell 'em, Sheryl.
The control tablet in Tesla's new Model 3 does almost everything: it controls the A/C, tracks your speed, gives your directions, opens the power ports, and can even drive the car for you (using Tesla's autonomous driving systems). It is also capable of one feat which few sci-fi novels could have ever predicted: fart mode.
The tablet contains one "drawer" filled specifically with Tesla Easter Eggs—fun add-ons meant only for humor or novelty. While the Atari video games or crackling fire and enticing music of "romance mode" may grab some people's attention, the most exciting new technological breakthrough in the Model Three can be found by pressing the whoopee cushion icon.
Beats mode? No son this fart mode https://t.co/736UD0hyvj— arb (@arb) 1549852403.0
Using "Fart Mode," the tablet user can make it sound like any one of the car's passengers is tooting in one of seven distinct different ways, each given a name referencing an inside joke from Tesla culture.
What a nightmare for a first date! #nursing https://t.co/RuLB7mtjK0— Liz Beattie (@Liz Beattie) 1549649785.0
On Twitter, several Tesla drivers were also experimenting with the ability to toot every time a turn signal was activated:
The Tesla update we've all been waiting for: Fart Mode https://t.co/FC5cEdkvo3— Drift0r 🌴 Cayman Islands (@Drift0r 🌴 Cayman Islands) 1547156796.0
Twitter users knew the future when they saw it:
@Drift0r This is the most groundbreaking technology I’ve ever seen. Bravo @elonmusk— TmarTn (@TmarTn) 1547167670.0
@Drift0r https://t.co/Ta4e8QwdZM— Chris (@Chris) 1547217637.0
The possibilities implied by fart mode are staggering to say the least.
@Drift0r @EricVailNaylor2 😂 https://t.co/yGDH2uo5j8— Riesie (@Riesie) 1547284238.0
@Drift0r This needs to be an audio que when a passenger sits on a seat when entreating a vehicle. Just triggered by… https://t.co/ED0GV9Y2Yg— Parallax (@Parallax) 1547156988.0
@Drift0r My 10 year old has been dreaming of this option, his older sisters not so much.— Mark Anderson (@Mark Anderson) 1547248711.0
Fart mode is going to sell more cars than some engine ever did.
Tesla's fart mode is a real gem https://t.co/EkO2LrlHa2 https://t.co/yEtGWmNEmv— Francene Mullings (@Francene Mullings) 1549830213.0
@BrucePerens Powered by methane? Aka farts? That explains the emissions test mode in the new Tesla software...— Ria Jairam - N2RJ (@Ria Jairam - N2RJ) 1549388169.0
Tesla has a fart mode. Of course it does. #spacepollution— Tom B. Taker ☢️ (@Tom B. Taker ☢️) 1549654996.0
With fart mode a part of life, things are only getting better!
@Drift0r I may have to buy a Tesla just to download this update and operate it as an Uber and record my riders’ rea… https://t.co/aaEdkzEVCE— Elihu Leemor (@Elihu Leemor) 1547215983.0
@Drift0r Disappointing. I thought “fart mode” was some kind of advanced ventilation system for when you dutch oven yourself in the car.— w.f. carolyn (@w.f. carolyn) 1547261033.0
Well done, Elon Musk.
Congratulations on the technological breakthrough of the century!
@Drift0r How’s that underground tunnel and mission to Mars coming along ? @elonmusk : the Tesla farts 😂💀😂💀— Seth Harvey (@Seth Harvey) 1547431449.0
Elon Musk Says Classical Music Will Be Used To Protect Tesla Owners 'Rick And Morty'-Style With 'Sentry Mode' 😮
Should it surprise you that Tesla CEO Elon Musk is a fan of Rick and Morty? Probably not.
Well, Tesla owners, things are about to get a lot more meta.
A few days ago, Musk announced that Tesla would roll out a 360-camera theft prevention "Sentry Mode" for all cars with Enhanced Autopilot. The announcement was a surprise; Musk made it in response to a social media user who, after finding a dent in his car, suggested Tesla vehicles should have 360-degree dash cam features.
Tesla Sentry Mode coming soon for all cars with Enhanced Autopilot https://t.co/x2buQWiABX— Elon Musk (@Elon Musk) 1548198500.0
A few days later, Musk revealed that Tesla's Sentry mode will play Bach's "Toccata and Fugue" during a robbery...
...and that sometimes, believe it or not, it might play the heavy metal version.
But, occasionally, the metal version https://t.co/ogHYUPoA9z— Elon Musk (@Elon Musk) 1548558406.0
He noted that the new system would "Keep Summer safe," a reference to a Rick and Morty episode where the smart car is told to "keep Summer safe," referring to Morty's sister Summer.
Keep Summer Safe | Rick and Morty | Adult Swimyoutu.be
Does this mean your Tesla will include rather violent antitheft measures à la StickDeath's anti-auto theft Security System series? ...Maybe.
A Tesla representative did not elaborate on what Musk meant by his tweet, but Engadget posited that Sentry Mode will feature an "always-on dash cam function or will switch on automatically when it senses a blow or break-in to the vehicle."
A "rough beta" test is coming soon, though.
@annerajb @Teslarati Rough beta in 2 to 3 weeks— Elon Musk (@Elon Musk) 1548439115.0
People seem pretty intrigued..
@elonmusk We need a demo Elon. I have to see this. :)— Hunter (@Hunter) 1548560437.0
@elonmusk https://t.co/ZwYIxvpVwp— Alec Tokosch (@Alec Tokosch) 1548559065.0
@elonmusk Such a versatile multi-verse, and organ-ic. 🤣🤣— Kata Lyst Stella V. (@Kata Lyst Stella V.) 1548558563.0
@elonmusk Hi Elon, please ensure with a loud volume!— Vincent (@Vincent) 1548558174.0
Did we mention that the puns are also pretty heavenly?
@elonmusk That’s what I love about you, Elon: you don’t get hung up on D Minor details.— James Stephenson (@James Stephenson) 1548557508.0
@elonmusk The thieves won't be Bach again!— bharat : sharma (@bharat : sharma) 1548558452.0
@boynamedbharat @elonmusk I can’t Handel this.— Sara Boutall (@Sara Boutall) 1548618367.0
Can't wait to see if this lives up to our expectations.