nailbomb3Jun 19, 2023
Dan Gillmor

A reminder that the "free speech" CEO over at Saudi-government-funded Twitter suspended the account of a Tesla/Musk critic who keeps pointing out sleaze and flaws. https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/business/money-report/twitter-has-suspended-the-accounts-of-a-prominent-tesla-and-elon-musk-critic-plainsite-founder-aaron-greenspan/3278831/

Meanwhile, journalists just keep on supporting Musk by pouring their work into his site.

Then again, journalists continue to treat democracy as just one interesting approach to government, rather than the foundation of their ability to maintain freedom of expression.

Twitter has suspended the accounts of a prominent Tesla and Elon Musk critic, PlainSite founder Aaron Greenspan

Before he bought Twitter, Musk remarked, “I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means.”

NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
Jun 18, 2023 at 10:40pmWeb
Show threadD1g1talDrag0nJun 19, 2023
@dangillmor “free speech absolutist”
Show threadgavinisdie Jun 19, 2023
@dangillmor I feel like Journalists need to be told Democracy is the reason they are even able to have the job they do
Show threadDoug 🌈🇨🇦 Jun 19, 2023
@dangillmor
Musk is thin skinned. Insecure.
Show threadRonJun 19, 2023
@dangillmor apparently free speech is subjective
Show threadCIWS-30Jun 19, 2023

@dangillmor Journalists are mostly owned by the same few oligarchic companies. They're not about news, they're about corporate propoganda. They're totally fine with authoritarianism and dictatorship so long as it favors their corporate overlords.

It's what they're paid to do.

Show threadbobchauvinJun 19, 2023

@dangillmor
"... In April 2022, after Musk announced his intention to acquire Twitter, he wrote in a tweet, "I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means..."

#freespeech

Show threadTeamRoseJun 19, 2023

@dangillmor

Tsk, tsk, tsk…#elon
Shocking lack free speech…

“Greenspan has meticulously tracked litigation by or against companies mostly in the US, including #tesla #Twitter — which #Musk took private in an acquisition last yr — He & Musk have also been involved in #litigation over the yrs.”

“The #suspension stands at odds w/public statements from Twitt's exec. chair & CTO Elon Musk, & newly apptd. CEO #LindaYaccarino.”

Show threadAnglophylJun 19, 2023

@dangillmor Really it's all just a thin veneer these days. Basically Saran Wrap without the sex appeal.

I'd also add content creators to the journalists critique. I wish more at least x-posted. I get that both need followers but at what cost? How much does Elon's volatile moods influence their posts and/or content?

Why don't they feel gross (as I would) about leveraging that space? Reading Elon's tweets makes me feel like I need a shower, nevermind the rest of the unhinged comments on there.