Elon Musk has had a rough few weeks, marked by his recent “Wii Robot” event, which fell flat on its face. The event, named after an old sci-fi movie, showcased designs that seemed borrowed from a 20-year-old film, and the promised demos were staged on a movie backlot rather than real streets. Musk’s lack of confidence in announcing a release date only added to the scepticism. Even his own fans expressed their discontent, highlighting a growing disconnect between Musk and his followers.
The centrepiece of the event, Musk’s personal robots, promised to be affordable and multifunctional, yet they turned out to be far from autonomous. Instead, they were puppets controlled by humans, reminiscent of theme park animatronics. This revelation underscores the gap between Musk’s claims and reality, leading to widespread disbelief. Even Wall Street, usually slow to react to Musk’s theatrics, saw Tesla shares drop by 9% following the event.
But Musk’s missteps weren’t limited to just tech demos. His appearances at political rallies, notably with Donald Trump, further complicated his public image. Musk has positioned himself as a champion of free speech, yet his actions tell a different story. After acquiring Twitter, Musk cracked down on free speech by suspending journalists and accounts that opposed him, and even manipulated algorithms to favour his own tweets. This contradictory behaviour paints a picture of a man who equates free speech with forcing others to listen to him.
Musk’s battle with advertisers showcases a deeper issue. When advertisers pulled out due to increased hate speech on Twitter, Musk retaliated with lawsuits, demonstrating his willingness to use his wealth to silence opposition. This approach turns the concept of free speech on its head, suggesting that for Musk, it means compelling companies to support his platform financially.
Musk’s actions in the political sphere also raise questions. His significant financial contributions to Donald Trump’s campaign and efforts to suppress negative coverage of Trump on Twitter reveal a vested interest in political outcomes. Musk’s businesses, heavily reliant on government contracts and subsidies, benefit from a favourable political climate, explaining his support for Trump.
Ultimately, Musk’s version of free speech seems to prioritise the voices of the wealthy, allowing them to dominate discourse and drown out dissenting voices. This stands in stark contrast to platforms like Twitter, which historically amplified underrepresented voices and facilitated social movements. Musk’s actions threaten to stifle these voices, turning free speech into a privilege for the wealthy rather than a right for all.
In a world where speech is increasingly commodified, it’s crucial to support platforms and systems that empower those with fewer resources. By doing so, we can ensure a more equitable distribution of speech and maintain a space for genuine dialogue and change. As Musk continues to blur the lines between free speech and paid speech, it’s vital to remain vigilant and challenge actions that undermine true freedom of expression.