Fresh Air Best Of: Inside Elon Musk's Twitter Takeover / Comic Taylor Tomlinson
Sep 14, 2024
Ryan Mac and Kate Conger, both New York Times tech reporters and co-authors of 'Character Limit,' dive into the chaotic aftermath of Elon Musk's Twitter takeover, revealing how political shifts and drastic changes to content moderation unfolded. Comedian Taylor Tomlinson shares her journey from church gigs to late-night comedy, exploring the intersections of humor and mental health. Also, literature critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Rachel Kushner's novel, weaving together themes of comedy and insightful storytelling.
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Transactional Politics?
- Elon Musk donated heavily to Trump's reelection campaign and endorsed him on X.
- Trump plans to appoint Musk to head an efficiency commission if reelected.
Efficiency Measures at Twitter
- Musk gutted 75% of Twitter's staff, impacting all departments.
- This led to significant cost savings but also an advertiser exodus due to content moderation changes.
The Loyalty Oath
- Musk's "hardcore" email required employees to opt-in to long hours and intense dedication.
- This loyalty oath caused chaos, with some employees missing the email and losing their jobs.
