Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has criticized Elon Musk for the “tone of discourse” on X and warned against censoring users with a heavy-handed approach.
Buterin, in a Dec. 31 post on X, expressed admiration for Musk’s commitment to free speech but urged him to “tone down” the heated nature of discussions on the platform, particularly regarding Musk’s alleged use of account suspensions to enforce certain views.
This tweet followed a heated post from Musk, where he defended the rights of immigrants on H1B visas to work for U.S. companies.
Musk’s stance sparked a backlash from conservatives, who argued that hiring foreign tech workers was disadvantaging native U.S. citizens.
Many conservatives accused Musk of censorship after premium features were reportedly removed from accounts that criticized his position on the issue.
Buterin emphasized the challenge of respecting free speech, particularly when we disagree with the views being expressed. He noted that while censorship is easily justified when the speech aligns with our views, its dangers are ever-present, as those in control of the “banhammer” today may not be the same tomorrow.
Buterin also cautioned Musk to be mindful of his tone and influence on the platform, stressing that leaders can wield great power in shaping discourse for better or worse. He suggested that a collaborative, positive approach would be key to humanity’s future, rather than relying on divisive tactics or harsh measures like the “banhammer,” which he believes leads to fragmentation and conflict rather than productive debate.
Musk, in recent actions, changed his name on X to “Kekius Maximus,” blending internet culture references with a nod to the character of Maximus from the movie “Gladiator”.
