OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of Tesla, SpaceX and Starlink, may have another business venture in mind that would be music to the ears of many who believe the current social media landscape does not allow for true free speech.
The billionaire made a series of tweets that had some speculating that a social media app could be his next business venture.
“Free speech is essential to a functioning democracy. Do you believe Twitter rigorously adheres to this principle?” he said in one tweet with a poll in which 70 percent of the respondents answered “no.”
Free speech is essential to a functioning democracy.
Do you believe Twitter rigorously adheres to this principle?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 25, 2022
“The consequences of this poll will be important. Please vote carefully,” he said.
The consequences of this poll will be important. Please vote carefully.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 25, 2022
“Given that Twitter serves as the de facto public town square, failing to adhere to free speech principles fundamentally undermines democracy. What should be done?” he said in another tweet.
Given that Twitter serves as the de facto public town square, failing to adhere to free speech principles fundamentally undermines democracy.
What should be done? https://t.co/aPS9ycji37
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 26, 2022
“Is a new platform needed?” he said.
Is a new platform needed?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 26, 2022
There were a ton of responses.
“Yes.. but if it’s a platform. The existing big three are publishers pretending to be platforms. That’s the problem,” radio host Joe Pagliarulo said.
yes.. but if it's a platform. The existing big three are publishers pretending to be platforms. That's the problem.
— Joe Pags Pagliarulo (@JoeTalkShow) March 26, 2022
“Buy Twitter and fix it!” author Brigitte Gabriel said.
Buy Twitter and fix it!
— Brigitte Gabriel (@ACTBrigitte) March 26, 2022
“When you buy twitter, after stopping the shadow banning and censorship of health facts, can we get an edit button and go back to 120 characters?” journalist Emily Miller said.
When you buy twitter, after stopping the shadow banning and censorship of health facts, can we get an edit button and go back to 120 characters?
— Emily Miller (@emilymiller) March 27, 2022
“We need to invent something that fills this space that hasn’t existed…yet. There are, unfortunately, several challenges that have prevented every previous attempt from working. This is very much an analytic problem of a particular kind. It’s not just lack of desire. Good luck,” podcast host Eric Weinstein said.
We need to invent something that fills this space that hasn’t existed…yet.
There are, unfortunately, several challenges that have prevented every previous attempt from working. This is very much an analytic problem of a particular kind. It’s not just lack of desire.
Good luck. https://t.co/vjVxOqnAna
— Eric Weinstein (@EricRWeinstein) March 26, 2022
“Maybe buying Twitter to clean it up makes sense, but maybe letting it die is best. @rumblevideo has the infrastructure and video capacity, @onlocals has the crowd funding and community building. PT is in on Rumble, I think you started something with him way back when!” Dave Rubin said.
Maybe buying Twitter to clean it up makes sense, but maybe letting it die is best. @rumblevideo has the infrastructure and video capacity, @onlocals has the crowd funding and community building. PT is in on Rumble, I think you started something with him way back when!
— Dave Rubin (@RubinReport) March 26, 2022
Musk has been in the news recently as Aerorozvidka (Aerial Reconnaissance) has been used by Ukraine to attack Russian drones and target the tanks and track down their positions since February 24, The Daily Mail reported.
Drones used in the field are able to use the newly available Starlink to keep connected and provide intelligence as internet and power outages plague Ukraine.
Britain’s Ministry of Defence warned last week that Moscow is ‘probably’ targeting Ukraine’s communications infrastructure.
With the technology, the drones can be directed to drop anti-tank munitions to help ward off the Russian attack.
The Ukrainians are also enlisting the help of PD-1 unmanned aerial vehicles fitted with infrared sensors. With a wingspan of 10ft, the vehicles are being used to collect vital information on the movements of Russian troops.
The Ukrainian drone unit uses a ‘Delta’ system, which has been perfected in recent years with the help of Western advisers.
It can be accessed by basic laptops, and has ‘situational awareness’ software installed which creates an interactive map using images from drones, satellites, human intelligence and sensors to build a physical picture to help in tracking the enemy.
It is said to be on par with what NATO uses and has been helped by Western nations. The United States is said to have spent millions of dollars to protect it from Russian hacking.
Musk provided the Starlink equipment after a request from Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s vice-prime minister, who thanked him for his assistance.
“Starlink — here,” Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov said in a tweet with an attached picture of the Internet communications equipment. “Thanks, @elonmusk.”
“You are most welcome,” the billionaire responded.
You are most welcome
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 28, 2022
Musk said that SpaceX’s Starlink satellite broadband service was made available in Ukraine and said that more terminals were on the way.
The tweet from Musk came in response to a tweet from a tweet from Fedorov that said,: @elonmusk, while you try to colonize Mars — Russia try to occupy Ukraine! While your rockets successfully land from space — Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civil people! We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand.”
Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 26, 2022
“Dear @elonmusk, Ukraine needs your support. Your stance and your actions matter. An appeal by our Minister of Digital Transformation here,” Ukraine said in its own tweet.
“Starlink service is now active in Ukraine,” Musk said. “More terminals en route.”
