Ross Douthat argues that Elon Musk’s views are neither left-wing nor conservative; he is best understood as a man who believes in dynamic change, and thinks unfettered speech is necessary to get us there. Is Douthat right?
I would say yes. Musk strikes me as a typical techno bro libertarian who thinks that history is made by geniuses like him, who should therefore be freed of government regulation to the maximum extent possible. Or, to put it more generously, Musk is a classical liberal, who believes the truth will prevail and mankind will progress only if the marketplace of ideas is left wide open. Sure, there may be some backsliding at times, and some vulnerable people may get hurt in the process, but in the end, it will work out for the best.
Musk is clearly positioning himself as a man above party who can resist pressure to censor from both the right and the left due to his vast wealth and strength of character. That is a legitimate viewpoint, and admirable in its way. But is it realistic? Can one man, however rich and powerful, really fend off public opinion and the government by himself? And, given the unique qualities of social media, does the classical liberal position on free speech still work?
For my responses to these questions, tune in tomorrow.