Over this past weekend, Entrepreneur Elon Musk stated that he is quite seriously considering transforming the headquarters of Twitter into a homeless shelter due to the fact that so many people are working entirely from home.
The idea first came to light via a poll hosted on Musk’s Twitter, asking, “Convert Twitter SF HQ to homeless shelter since no one shows up anyway[?]”
With well over 1.5 million votes cast, a solid 91% of respondents responded “y,” or yes.
Musk went on to reply to the poll about the idea, “I’m serious about this one btw.”
I’m serious about this one btw
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 10, 2022
These tweets from the billionaire take place just a scant few days after it was unveiled that he took the slot as the largest shareholder in the social media titan in the wake of purchasing a 9.2% stake in the platform.
Just last month, Musk claimed that he was giving “serious thought” to creating an entirely new social media platform that would be entirely transparent with its algorithms, keep propoganda to a bare minimum, and make free speech a priority.
The co-founder of Tesla and founder of SpaceX, Musk issued the remarks in response to one tweet that asked, “Would you consider building a new social media platform, @elonmusk?”
“One that would consist an open source algorithm, one where free speech and adhering to free speech is given top priority, one where propaganda is very minimal,” the tweet went on. “I think that kind of a platform is needed.”
Musk answered, “Am giving serious thought to this.”
Musk made use of an informal poll near the end of March which said: “Free speech is essential to a functioning democracy. Do you believe Twitter rigorously adheres to this principle?”
The poll ended with almost 2 million responses and a 70.4% consensus stating that the platform did not adhere to the principle at all.
“The consequences of this poll will be important,” continued Musk. “Please vote carefully.”
Musk issued a follow-up on the poll, asking: “Given that Twitter serves as the de facto public town square, failing to adhere to free speech principles fundamentally undermines democracy. What should be done?”
“Is a new platform needed?” he posited.
“Buy Twitter,” answered Mike Cernovich, a political commentator. “If you’re a leftist making death threats against conservatives. or organizing riots, Twitter respects your freedom of speech. Twitter also respects the freedom of speech for media hoaxes like when every major outlet framed an innocent Covington high school kid.”
“Doesn’t sound very balanced,” stated Musk in response.