Plain English with Derek Thompson When Will the Ukraine War End? (Plus: 10 Good Minutes on What the Hell Elon Musk Is Doing With Twitter)
Apr 12, 2022
Casey Newton, author of the insightful newsletter 'Platformer,' joins the discussion on the chaotic saga of Elon Musk's erratic Twitter antics, including his rise as a major shareholder and bizarre tweets. Paul Poast, a political science professor at the University of Chicago, analyzes the grim reality of the Ukraine war, revealing Russia's strategic miscalculations and the potential for a bloodier conflict ahead. The conversation dives into the geopolitical complexities and the implications of military support for Ukraine amidst heightened tensions.
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Elon Musk and Twitter
- Elon Musk bought Twitter shares, becoming the largest individual shareholder.
- He then tweeted embarrassing things, leading to him not joining the board.
Musk's Motivation
- Elon Musk's motivations for buying Twitter shares remain unclear.
- His actions seem irrational, like a "mischievous trickster god."
Misreading Russia's Military
- Foreign policy experts misjudged the Russian military's condition.
- They overestimated Russia's military capability and invasion success.