Factually! with Adam Conover Inside Elon's Twitter Takeover with Ryan Mac and Kate Conger
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Nov 13, 2024 
Ryan Mac and Kate Conger, New York Times tech reporters and co-authors of 'Character Limit: How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter', dissect the chaotic aftermath of Elon Musk's Twitter takeover. They examine the bewildering political implications, unveiling how the platform became a tool in shaping American politics. The duo discusses Musk's erratic motivations and the turmoil following his acquisition, from drastic layoffs to a chaotic workplace. Amidst the absurdity, they highlight the challenges of managing a platform now rebranded as 'X', grappling with advertiser relations and rising hate speech.
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Constant Change
- Elon Musk's erratic behavior included changing Twitter's slogan multiple times during the book's writing process.
- This constant evolution made it challenging for the authors to finalize the narrative.
Elon's Twitter Journey
- Initially, Elon Musk struggled to understand Twitter and its purpose, tweeting mundane updates.
- He gradually realized its power for direct fan engagement, media pushback, and shitposting.
Content Moderation Triggers
- Elon Musk's interest in acquiring Twitter was partly triggered by content moderation decisions.
- He strongly objected to the banning of Donald Trump and the Babylon Bee.
