I know such things said after the fact can be in the “yeah, yeah, sure, whatever” category, but I will say it now:
When now-Prime Minister Musk first bought Twitter, I had this moment where I was in a state of not-quite-awakeness and not-quite-asleep-ness when I was suddenly overcome with a sense of extreme danger that Twitter was in his hands. Like, NATION-CHANGING extreme danger.
I thought, “Wow, he has purchased the most powerful platform for sharing information, and he’s going to mold it to his purposes.”
Not that I knew much about “his purposes,” but I felt he would make sure the algos intentionally downplayed some information and overplayed others and this his actions would have vast impacts on the current flow of information and news. I had a sense he would have no compunction over twisting information flow to his preferences, and I felt an extraordinary sense of danger in this potential.
I didn’t foresee him becoming First Buddy to Trump, granted insta-access to information no unchecked outsider should control. But I sensed true danger in his choice and desire to purchase Twitter.
Sometimes we have knowings …
FWIW, I still scan my twitter feed for info, despite how MAGA-maga-ish it has become with its manipulations of focus, but I only post on Bluesky. I will not give Musk, via Twitter, my social capital.
https://bsky.app/profile/jessienewburn.bsky.social
https://www.techpolicy.press/elon-musk-owning-twitter-is-a-national-security-threat/
