Elon Musk’s recent actions on X, formerly known as Twitter, have sparked widespread outrage and concern. He has openly admitted to throttling links, effectively limiting users’ access to news articles and other online content. This admission, far from being an apology, was presented almost as a boast, highlighting the blatant control Musk exercises over the platform. The implication is clear: information flow is being actively manipulated, not for the benefit of users, but seemingly to serve a specific agenda.
This move directly contradicts Musk’s previous pronouncements about free speech absolutism on the platform. The very idea of a “free speech” platform actively suppressing links to news sources is inherently paradoxical and demonstrates a significant hypocrisy.… Continue reading
Democrats, and many others, are migrating away from X, formerly known as Twitter, and finding refuge on Bluesky. This mass exodus isn’t solely driven by political affiliation, although the perceived alliance between Elon Musk and Donald Trump certainly plays a significant role.
The toxic environment fostered under Musk’s leadership is a major factor. The platform’s decline has been swift, marked by increased bot activity, technical malfunctions, and a general deterioration of the user experience. Many users report a significant drop in meaningful engagement, finding the conversations shallow and often unproductive, with a preponderance of negative and low-quality content dominating their feeds.… Continue reading
Stephen King has announced his departure from X, citing the platform’s increasingly toxic atmosphere. This follows a similar decision by The Guardian and other notable figures who have expressed concerns about the spread of misinformation and hate speech on the platform. King’s departure marks the latest blow to X, which has seen a surge in users migrating to rival platforms like Threads, particularly following Elon Musk’s acquisition of the site and subsequent changes to its policies and moderation practices. King’s decision highlights the growing discontent with X’s direction, raising concerns about the future of the platform and its ability to foster meaningful dialogue and engagement.
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Bluesky, a decentralized social media platform, has experienced a surge in new users following the recent election. This influx is largely attributed to a wave of disgruntled Twitter users, now known as X, who have been unhappy with the platform’s direction under Elon Musk’s leadership.
Many users are drawn to Bluesky’s promise of a more open and less restrictive environment compared to X. They complain that their feeds on X have become overrun with content they have no interest in, often politically charged or filled with drama, even though they follow primarily artists and creators. The constant barrage of unwanted content has driven many to seek a more focused and curated experience.… Continue reading
The Guardian has announced it will no longer post content on Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, citing “often disturbing content” including far-right conspiracy theories and racism. The news organization believes the negative aspects of the platform outweigh the benefits, with the US presidential election campaign solidifying its decision. While the Guardian will not be posting on X, individual reporters will still be able to use the platform for newsgathering purposes, and the organization’s articles will still be accessible and shareable on X. The Guardian encourages readers to visit its website to access and support its journalism directly.
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Elon Musk has been criticized for reposting a theory on X that claims “high status males” should run a “Republic” to maintain a free-thinking democracy, arguing that women and “low T men” are incapable of objective thought. The anonymous theory, which appears to originate from 4chan, suggests that only “high T alpha males” and “aneurotypical people” can think freely and should therefore be the sole decision-makers in a democratic society. Musk’s repost of this controversial theory has been met with backlash, with many criticizing it as sexist, exclusionary, and a promotion of hegemonic masculinity. It remains unclear whether Musk’s repost was intended to agree with the theory or to mock a critic, but it is consistent with his stance on “free speech” and his history of promoting controversial and misleading information on his platform.
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As a citizen of Wisconsin, it is extremely alarming to hear of the recent incident where a Wisconsin mayor decided to take matters into his own hands and physically remove an absentee ballot drop box, claiming that he did nothing wrong. The implications of this action are deeply concerning and highlight the fragility of our democratic processes.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission has made it clear that interfering with the voting process is a serious offense, and anyone who tampers with drop boxes could be guilty of a felony. The fact that this mayor felt entitled to take it upon himself to remove a drop box, without proper authorization or legal basis, showcases a blatant disregard for the rule of law and the principles of democracy.… Continue reading
As I delve into the unfolding events surrounding the Wisconsin mayor who removed the absentee ballot drop box, claiming he did nothing wrong, a sense of outrage and disbelief washes over me. The audacity of Mayor Doug Diny to brazenly flout the law and interfere with the electoral process is nothing short of alarming. It is disheartening to witness elected officials engaging in such reckless and undemocratic behavior, especially in a time when the sanctity of our electoral system is under heightened scrutiny.
The fact that Mayor Diny was explicitly warned against his actions, yet chose to proceed with his illegal removal of the ballot box, only serves to highlight his blatant disregard for the rule of law and democratic principles.… Continue reading
The World Bank recently made headlines after halting all paid advertising on X, formerly known as Twitter, following a CBS News investigation that revealed their promoted advertisements were appearing alongside racist content posted by a pro-Nazi and white nationalist account. This revelation sheds light on the disturbing reality of the online landscape, where hate speech and harmful ideologies can thrive unchecked.
It’s alarming to think that a reputable organization like the World Bank would inadvertently have their ads appear next to such abhorrent content. The fact that a verified X account with a substantial following actively shared racist images and praised colonization is deeply troubling.… Continue reading
It’s a wild ride in the world of social media these days as headlines are dominated by the clash between Elon Musk and the Brazilian Supreme Court over the banning of X in Brazil. The court has ordered the suspension of the platform after Musk refused to name a legal representative for the social network in the country, sparking a fierce legal battle that has been brewing for months. This move by the court to ban X comes as part of an effort to combat fake news and hate speech, which Justice Alexandre de Moraes believes are a threat to Brazil’s democracy.… Continue reading
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker