Stratechery Narratives
Nov 14, 2022
Explore the contrasting narratives surrounding tech giants like Twitter, Tesla, and SpaceX, particularly how Elon Musk shapes brand identity. Delve into the challenges Musk faces with Twitter's user experience and the impact of verification checks. Uncover the dynamics of advertising in the wake of the FTX fallout and the tension between decentralization and centralization in tech. The discussion also critiques the motivations in the cryptocurrency space, urging a focus on responsible product development.
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Overlooking the Vision
- Ben Thompson initially supported Elon Musk's Twitter acquisition, citing Musk's success with Tesla and SpaceX.
- However, Thompson later realized he'd overlooked Musk's lack of a clear vision for Twitter, focusing instead on Musk's past successes.
Personal Grievances vs. Platform Problems
- Musk's focus on personal grievances, like bots and blue checks, led to the disastrous paid verification rollout.
- These grievances, while valid for Musk, weren't the core problems facing Twitter, revealing a disconnect with the average user experience.
Twitter's True Nature
- Musk's vision for Twitter as a digital town square promoting free speech is misguided.
- Twitter functions more like a digital cage match, which might be better monetized through a pay-per-view model.