Elon Musk and Racism

[raincoatwarmcoatlongcoat]

Inspired by the other long running thread. I keep reading that he tweets and retweets racist comments. Can anyone link any or all of them please? I see tweets over illegal immigration, as opposed to immigration, but not racist?

So instead of opinions please can people post the actual words used or retweeted? Or anything he said in interviews, word for word?

Thanks!

@Feelingathomenow

There are indeed calls by left wing Governments across Europe for the banning of X and suggestions that Musk himself be arrested if he steps foot in certain countries. Some institutions such as Universities have gone further and banned the use of X.

However despite these attempts to suppress X and freedom of speech I think that you are correct in that these attempts will be successful. Banning X would only make it more popular and prove the point that the left wish to suppress opposition.

Regarding him "steering the prevailing issues" , he is an advisor to Trump and as per the job description, it's his job to advise Trump. Whether Trump agrees or not is his choice.

That wasn't quite what I meant. I meant that whatever Musk tweets, that becomes the prevailing issue of the week. He steers public opinion. Much of it is misinformation, a great deal is racist, sexist, or promotes an alt-right opinion.

X is a product/service. If countries decide they don't wish to have that service in their country, that is their right - just as it is my right not to use it. Countries also have the right not to allow certain people into their country, too, if it is felt they pose a risk.

Do you need to have met someone to know that faking being the best player in the world at a video game isn’t normal behaviour?

Or perhaps you think that is normal behaviour?

@Reetpetitenot

"1dayatatime, do you have a thought on when freedom of speech becomes hate speech and if anything should be done about it? Twitter was always a bit of a cesspit, but now, the absolute filth allowed to stand - really nasty misogyny, racism, incitement to violence. It's so full of hate and has seemingly issued a clarion call to certain individuals and sections of society that they can absolutely say what they like with no consequence. "

So the issue for me on "freedom of speech versus hate speech " is who gets to define what is and is not "hate speech". Logically this would rest with the Government and at any one time (at least normally in the UK) the majority of voters will not have voted for whoever is in charge. So what you can and can't say is decided firstly by the Government and secondly a Government chosen by a minority of voters.

Regarding twitter/ X being a cesspit, I completely agree - some of the blatant racism, antisemitism, misogynistic comments are completely off the scale. Every time I look at it, I think "whoa there are some seriously dangerous fucked up people out there " which is why I steer away from it in favour of say MN. At the same time the value of X to me is to shake me out of a bubble and remind me that there are people out there in the real world with some really scary batshit views.

I know this wasnt to me but all lives matter is racist because it dismisses the black lives matter movement. I am white and I don't deal with racist daily or even ever. I never have to talk to my children about racism that they may face as they are white so they won't face it. It opened up my eyes to racism as I didn't even need to think about it. And thats ultimately the problem, people only seem to care about things that directly effect them. I'm glad the BLM happened. As Its educated me on the need for being anti racist and not just not racist. I'm sad it even had to happen! Because obviously Systemic racism is not ok but shining a light on it is a good thing . Anyone shouting all lives matter are completely ignoring and ignorant to racism and as they are white they have the privilege to do that. Its a way to shut down the real every day struggles of black people.

@JessaWoo

"That wasn't quite what I meant. I meant that whatever Musk tweets, that becomes the prevailing issue of the week. He steers public opinion. Much of it is misinformation, a great deal is racist, sexist, or promotes an alt-right opinion. "

I think this is a really interesting comment. Your concern is that whatever Musk tweets becomes the prevailing message of the week and steers public opinion.

Now that only works firstly if people are actually on X reading his tweets and secondly if they agree or are receptive to his messages so that it influences public opinion. And thirdly you disagree with Musk's views which in your opinion is misinformation.

Therefore it is a concern to you that there are large numbers of people in society who are reading and are being "steered" by the "wrong opinion".

Now I'm sure that you think that your opinion is the right opinion as we all do, but can you at least see from this how the left wishes to influence people on where they get their information from and what is and is not the "correct" view.

I'm fascinated by this! Have u heard of cambridge analytica? Did u know they targeted people on fb with disinformation in support of right wing to influence people to go to right wing spaces. Farage used it for brexit campaigning. Trump used it in 2015 for his president campaign. They purposely misinformed the public to drive the topic of brexit and trump.
Musk uses misinformation and disinformation all the time he elevates tweets that are false. Sp does trump. They don't care. Misinformation harms society and democracy, u can't have a democracy if what half the people belive is false or lies. I think if something is a lie then it's obvious that the 'right opnion ' is to think lies are bad whatever the subject. If u have a whole movement (right wing ) forcing lies on people to misinform them. U would be crazy to not assume that's the 'wrong way' to go.

If you can’t see the risk to women and reality through those ideologies then you really have been taken in.

I suggest the best places for you to start are animal farm, 1984 and Brave New World.

The far left with their “Ministry of Love” are as much of a danger as the far right. The fact you can’t see this probably makes them more dangerous

Now that only works firstly if people are actually on X reading his tweets

You think only people who have been on Twitter are aware of his remarks?

There is definitely discussion to have about the use of drugs on children and trans in sport. I don't see this trans are a threat to women like in the bathroom thing which seems to be issue .
Giving me fictional books to read as a warning is pathetic.
I'm not far left and don't blindly follow the left! I stand by my original comment. The far right is dangerous and an immediate threat!

I wanted to ban the Guardian when they were spreading divisive and misogynistic (sexist) misinformation on the WiSpa incident. They pose a risk to women and children and poison the discourse.

Ah yes now you mention it, I think at the same time they amended DSM5 to exclude any mention of those who thought they were a different sex, they slipped in this section about the computer game situation!

Completely this.

it’s the “whataboutery” of asking don’t all lives matter which annoys me as it’s only said in a response/shutting down of the BLM movement.

And it shouldn’t mean that thinking that causes an uplift in right wing thinking. Not for someone with any intellect anyway. I totally get the upset amongst working class white males thinking that they are being shat on by those more privileged. So what they need to do is start positively campaigning on those specific issues in a constructive manner. Shine a light on it. Ask how can education and prospects be improved. But you don’t do that by trying to close down conversations on racism.

sorry, meant to quote @chicken2015 post but the quote hasn’t come through

It does include ‘a pattern of grandiosity, lack of empathy, and a need for admiration’

@chicken2015

"I'm not far left and don't blindly follow the left! I stand by my original comment. The far right is dangerous and an immediate threat!"

And although I may disagree with your views, in a democracy I strongly believe you should absolutely be able to stand by your original comment. But equally you should accept that someone else may have written:

I"'m not far right and don't blindly follow the right I stand by my original comment. The far left is dangerous and an immediate threat!"

So basically nearly every successful business person and politician

I’m sorry, you clearly have no grasp on how people experience life outside of your ivory tower. Phrases like “they need to start campaigning on those specific issues in a constructive manner” indicates that you have absolutely no understanding of people outside your immediate social circle.

The fact you don’t think male rapists in women’s prisons is a problem indicates otherwise.

Maybe research the authors of these fictional books and think about it, it really isn’t pathetic for anyone of intelligence

Well of course I do, u can belive that fairy's live in the clouds doesn't mean its any more real. I am an Atheist, doesn't mean I think people doesn't have a right to belive what they want. That's never been an issue I'm not sure why u need to bring it up. I'm telling u in my opinion, and I'm not on my own . The right is an immediate threat. Trump is in power project 2025 lays out a facist dictatorship. Musk is sticking his oar into uk politics, Musk is directly linked to trump. Which means the threat is close is immediate. If Musk left the UK alone and it was just all happening in US. Then maybe u could say I was being alarmist . But no he's continuing to cause issues in UK politics where he has no place. And he is trumps right hand man!

The fact you don’t think male rapists in women’s prisons is a problem indicates otherwise.

Please tell me where I mention prisons?

You don’t, that’s the problem

Many people have been saying the left is an immediate threat for a long time, it has infiltrated governments, companies and education. Yes the tide is turning, people who didn’t see the far left ideology as a problem are having issues dealing with an awakening from wokeness.

Extremist politics are all the same in their level of threat, the fact you can’t see that is worrying.

Are you normally so derogatory about people’s culture and belief systems?

@chicken2015

"Musk is sticking his oar into uk politics, Musk is directly linked to trump. Which means the threat is close is immediate. If Musk left the UK alone and it was just all happening in US. Then maybe u could say I was being alarmist . But no he's continuing to cause issues in UK politics where he has no place. And he is trumps right hand man!"

Again another interesting post. You see the problem as Musk and his posts in part creating the rise in support for the right wing within the UK.

Now I don't know if you are resident in the UK but what has been happening (all across Europe and the US) is a rise in support for the right way before Musk's postings about the UK.

Musk is an opportunist and a business man, up until recently he was a Democrat supporter. Why did he switch? Because he saw early on the direction of travel was changing and therefore jumped on it.

Musk is just another indicator or symptom of the growing support for the right in the UK and Europe - he's not the cause.

@1dayatatime

I think this is a really interesting comment. Your concern is that whatever Musk tweets becomes the prevailing message of the week and steers public opinion.

Now that only works firstly if people are actually on X reading his tweets and secondly if they agree or are receptive to his messages so that it influences public opinion. And thirdly you disagree with Musk's views which in your opinion is misinformation.

Therefore it is a concern to you that there are large numbers of people in society who are reading and are being "steered" by the "wrong opinion".

Now I'm sure that you think that your opinion is the right opinion as we all do, but can you at least see from this how the left wishes to influence people on where they get their information from and what is and is not the "correct" view.

Elon Musk's tweets have a reach far beyond X. They are publicised on other media and discussed for weeks on end. Given that a such an enormous number of people consume that media - retweet and read, plus repeat his messaging word for word - the audience does seem to be receptive.

A number of his tweets have been community noted on his own medium. (Tagging them as misinformation or inaccurate.)

I realise you wish to see the world as binary right-left, but in fact, I am a centrist.

Musk switched becuase he seen a opportunity to buy the american election/goverment with trump. So he took it! And he benefited by seeing him money massively increase!
Disinformation and misinformation is also on the rise at the same time , social media platforms are changing to not be accountable for spreading misinformation or Disinformation, I would say that's a direct link as to why the right is rising in Europe and UK!
Will anyone answer the question I'm asking multiple time if anyone knows who cambridge analytica are and have done for the 'right'!?

@Feelingathomenow

Many people have been saying the left is an immediate threat for a long time, it has infiltrated governments, companies and education. Yes the tide is turning, people who didn’t see the far left ideology as a problem are having issues dealing with an awakening from wokeness.

Extremist politics are all the same in their level of threat, the fact you can’t see that is worrying.

Can you explain "wokeness" in your own terms and how it is a threat?