Why Elon Musk’s Vision for Twitter Hasn’t Altered Its Toxic Culture

Elon Musk recently discussed his vision for Twitter, stating that he does not want it to become a “Hellscape”. This sentiment arises from the early reputation of the platform and the current governance environment.

Twitter’s Problematic History

Elon Musk acquired Twitter at a time when the platform was already facing significant criticism. The liberal administration, much like other platforms such as Facebook and Google, was censoring conservative voices rigorously. This led to a backlash from users and bot accounts ready to gaslight anyone questioning this behavior.

What Constitutes a ‘Hellscape’ on Twitter?

The term “Hellscape” is typically used by those who:

Desire certain voices to be silenced and are upset that Twitter has become a more neutral platform. Have previously followed content outside their echo chambers and now find the content unsettling. Have been negatively affected by Twitter’s recent pivots to a subscription model.

These individuals are particularly upset about the following changes:

The requirement for verified accounts to have a state-issued ID for the “bluebird” verification. The ability for users to filter out unverified accounts using a subscription model.

This change notably filters out:

Underage users who have fraudulently obtained their accounts. Accounts created for multiple purposes (sock puppet accounts). Trolls whose identities could be revealed under legal requirements.

For those previously violating Terms of Service or Acceptable Use Policies, these changes represent a crackdown. However, for the majority, these changes are seen as a necessary and beneficial step.

Elon Musk’s Successes and Failures

The narrative that Elon Musk has already failed at Twitter is shortsighted. Tesla took 14 years for Musk to turn a profit, and SpaceX took 6 years to achieve its first successful launch. Twitter’s issues were well-established at the time of Musk’s acquisition. Musk is not a magician and cannot instantly solve complex issues with a wave of his wand. Sometimes taking a step back allows for greater progress.

It’s unfair to criticize Musk and Twitter so harshly before giving him more than a couple of months to implement changes and prove their effectiveness.

Conclusion

The perception of Twitter as a Hellscape is subjective and often driven by narrow perspectives. While certain users may view the changes as draconian, for many, they represent a positive shift towards a more balanced and manageable platform.