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Elon Musk: Top 3 controversy theories you ought to know

Elon Musk
Image credits: Elon Musk

Elon Musk, the tech magnate behind Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink, is known for his audacious ideas and relentless pursuit of innovation. But his online presence can be just as electrifying, often venturing into the realm of the strange and the unsubstantiated. Here, we delve into three of his best forays into the world of conspiracy theories:

1. The simulation argument gets a game of thrones twist

Musk has long been a proponent of the simulation argument, the idea that our reality might be a computer simulation. In a tweet, he took this a step further, stating “[W]e might be living in a simulation run by an advanced civilization from the future. One way to test this is to see if the laws of physics are provably consistent.” 

This twist on the simulation theory injects a dash of “Terminator” vibes, suggesting a future where advanced beings create simulations of their past. While the idea is undeniably intriguing, it lacks scientific evidence and falls more into the realm of philosophical thought experiments.

2. Twitter files and the shadow banning conspiracy

In a deal to acquire Twitter, Musk had made public his intention to release the platform’s internal communications, dubbed the “Twitter Files.” Musk tweeted saying, “Twitter is working on a software update that will show your true account status, so you know clearly if you’ve been shadowbanned, the reason why and how to appeal.”

He claimed these files would expose evidence of “shadow banning,” a controversial practice where a user’s content is deliberately made less visible. Shadow banning is a complex issue, with social media companies often accused of using it to silence dissenting voices. Nevertheless, experts warn that releasing internal communications could expose private information and make it difficult to discern the full context. 

However, now, the entire theory has been buried and has not seen the day of the light since Musk has taken over the then Twitter and the now called “X.”

3. The population collapse conspiracy and the muskian baby boom

Concerned about a declining birth rate, Musk has frequently urged his followers to have more children. He tweeted back then in 2022, saying, “Population collapse due to low birth rates is a much bigger risk to civilization than global warming.”He had also further tweeted, “If there aren’t enough people for Earth, Mars is going to be very lonely.” 

This echoes a conspiracy theory that population decline is a manufactured crisis, often used to justify immigration restrictions. While some countries are experiencing slow population growth, global demographics still point towards continued population increase, albeit at a slower pace. Musk himself seems to be practising what he preaches, having fathered twelve children with two different partners.

However, many news and research reports later revealed that the theory was quite wrong. 

Why does Elon Musk promote conspiracy theories?

There’s no single answer to why Musk embraces such theories. Some speculate it’s a marketing strategy to keep himself and his companies in the public eye. Others believe he genuinely finds these ideas stimulating and enjoys sparking debate. There’s also a possibility that as a highly successful entrepreneur, he might be more susceptible to confirmation bias, believing information that aligns with his existing worldview.

The peril and promise of conspiracy theories

Conspiracy theories, while often baseless, can sometimes spark important conversations about accountability and power structures. However, they can also be dangerous, leading to misinformation and distrust in legitimate institutions.

In Elon Musk’s case, his online pronouncements can be a double-edged sword. They can fuel innovation and encourage critical thinking, but they can also spread unverified information and undermine public trust in science and established institutions. Perhaps the key takeaway is to approach Musk’s pronouncements with a healthy dose of scepticism, engaging in critical discussions while remaining grounded in evidence and reason.

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