Following Elon Musk's acquisition, X has shifted from a platform for free expression towards a contentious arena for political views. The involvement of influential accounts and changes to moderation policies have sparked debates around misinformation and social responsibility, redefining social media's role in political influence as the 2024 US elections approach.
Elon Musk's 'Social Experiment': The Transformation of X in 2024
Elon Musk's 'Social Experiment': The Transformation of X in 2024
Amidst political polarization and evolving user dynamics, X, formerly Twitter, emerges as a volatile platform impacting discourse under Elon Musk's stewardship.
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Billionaire Elon Musk has positioned X, formerly known as Twitter, as a leading platform for free speech since taking ownership two years ago. However, 2024 has seen X morph from a shared communal space into a markedly confrontational environment where polarizing materials are commonplace. User dynamics have also shifted, as accounts promoting controversial, and occasionally misleading, narratives have gained significant traction.
Despite X not rivaling other social media platforms in user numbers, its influence on political discussions is profound. High-profile politicians and government entities engage regularly with their followers on this platform, and Musk's increasing alignment with former President Donald Trump could reshape the relationship between social media executives and US leadership.
What triggers these changes in X? Some attribute it to a demographic shift among users, while others argue it stems from intentional modifications implemented by Musk and his team.
The rise of polarizing accounts such as "Inevitable West," which boasts 131,600 followers and garners millions of daily views, reflects this transformation. Recent posts from this account include manipulated video content and incendiary claims surrounding political figures and events. The creator, identifying as a member of "Gen Z," positions their work as a voice for the "silent majority," despite facing accusations of spreading disinformation.
When Musk acquired Twitter in 2022, he committed to unfiltered political discourse and tackling censorship. His rapid changes to content moderation policies, coupled with a wave of significant layoffs, have altered the platform's landscape. Notable changes include divided feeds for accounts users follow versus algorithm-generated suggestions, a modification to blocking features, and the transition to a subscription model for notable account verification.
As X continues to navigate a tumultuous political climate leading up to the 2024 elections, the platform's potential for user monetization has emerged. Users who draw substantial engagement can now monetize their presence, with reports of some accounts earning thousands monthly based on interaction rather than ad revenue.
Furthermore, algorithmic alterations can heavily influence content recommendations. Observations of recent user engagements on X indicate increased visibility for contentious viewpoints, which may vastly overshadow those presenting less divisive narratives. Nina Jankowicz, previously involved with the Disinformation Governance Board, suggests that current algorithms favor inflammatory content, creating a "black mirror" of societal divides.
Amidst ongoing discussions about moderation biases, users have expressed concern about the propagation of harmful rhetoric, especially regarding recent violent incidents discussed on X. Inevitable West's incendiary statements regarding immigration have prompted discussions about ongoing dangers of unchecked narratives playing out on the platform.
Amid the growing uncertainty, some X users have begun migrating to alternative platforms, such as Bluesky, founded by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. However, determining authentic trends in user migration remains difficult.
While Musk has publicly championed freedom of expression on X, recent conflicts suggest that the path forward could involve further scrutiny into how social media platforms engage with political entities. In light of Trump's forthcoming terms in office, what direction X and other platforms will take in terms of accountability and regulation remains uncertain yet critical for both social media and political landscapes alike.
Billionaire Elon Musk has positioned X, formerly known as Twitter, as a leading platform for free speech since taking ownership two years ago. However, 2024 has seen X morph from a shared communal space into a markedly confrontational environment where polarizing materials are commonplace. User dynamics have also shifted, as accounts promoting controversial, and occasionally misleading, narratives have gained significant traction.
Despite X not rivaling other social media platforms in user numbers, its influence on political discussions is profound. High-profile politicians and government entities engage regularly with their followers on this platform, and Musk's increasing alignment with former President Donald Trump could reshape the relationship between social media executives and US leadership.
What triggers these changes in X? Some attribute it to a demographic shift among users, while others argue it stems from intentional modifications implemented by Musk and his team.
The rise of polarizing accounts such as "Inevitable West," which boasts 131,600 followers and garners millions of daily views, reflects this transformation. Recent posts from this account include manipulated video content and incendiary claims surrounding political figures and events. The creator, identifying as a member of "Gen Z," positions their work as a voice for the "silent majority," despite facing accusations of spreading disinformation.
When Musk acquired Twitter in 2022, he committed to unfiltered political discourse and tackling censorship. His rapid changes to content moderation policies, coupled with a wave of significant layoffs, have altered the platform's landscape. Notable changes include divided feeds for accounts users follow versus algorithm-generated suggestions, a modification to blocking features, and the transition to a subscription model for notable account verification.
As X continues to navigate a tumultuous political climate leading up to the 2024 elections, the platform's potential for user monetization has emerged. Users who draw substantial engagement can now monetize their presence, with reports of some accounts earning thousands monthly based on interaction rather than ad revenue.
Furthermore, algorithmic alterations can heavily influence content recommendations. Observations of recent user engagements on X indicate increased visibility for contentious viewpoints, which may vastly overshadow those presenting less divisive narratives. Nina Jankowicz, previously involved with the Disinformation Governance Board, suggests that current algorithms favor inflammatory content, creating a "black mirror" of societal divides.
Amidst ongoing discussions about moderation biases, users have expressed concern about the propagation of harmful rhetoric, especially regarding recent violent incidents discussed on X. Inevitable West's incendiary statements regarding immigration have prompted discussions about ongoing dangers of unchecked narratives playing out on the platform.
Amid the growing uncertainty, some X users have begun migrating to alternative platforms, such as Bluesky, founded by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. However, determining authentic trends in user migration remains difficult.
While Musk has publicly championed freedom of expression on X, recent conflicts suggest that the path forward could involve further scrutiny into how social media platforms engage with political entities. In light of Trump's forthcoming terms in office, what direction X and other platforms will take in terms of accountability and regulation remains uncertain yet critical for both social media and political landscapes alike.
