Elons Little Plan

X changes format for links to news posts, removing headlines and text
X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, began changing how links to news posts appear in users’ feeds Wednesday night, removing headlines and text that were previously displayed alongside images.

Most linked news articles now display only the article’s lead image on X, with a small link to the outlet’s main web address in the bottom-left corner to distinguish them from stand-alone images.

X owner Elon Musk confirmed in August that he planned to remove headlines and text from news links, noting the shift was coming from him “directly” and was meant to improve aesthetics.

The move occurred one day after Musk suggested publishers post their content in long form on X instead of via links.
“Our algorithm tries to optimize time spent on X, so links don’t get as much attention, because there is less time spent if people click away,” Musk said in a post on Tuesday. “Best thing is to post content in long form on this platform.”

The billionaire, who initially acquired the platform for $44 billion last fall, has criticized legacy news outlets in recent posts and instead encouraged users to engage in “citizen journalism.”
“I almost never read legacy news anymore,” he said Tuesday. “What’s the point of reading 1000 words about something that was already posted on X several days ago?”
“Citizen journalism is the path to better future!” Musk added the next day. “I strongly encourage people around the world to post news about events as they’re happening, in both text & video.”

Musk has repeatedly sparred with news organizations over his management of the platform, which has become a key tool for journalists and the media.

He banned several journalists from the platform last December after they reported on an account that posted updates about the location of his private jet. Musk also sparked controversy in April after he briefly labeled NPR as “state-affiliated” and “government-funded” media.

Several watchdog organizations have also warned that Musk’s decisions to walk back various content moderation rules and restore previously banned accounts, such as that of former President Trump, have led to an increase in the spread of misinformation and hate speech on the platform.

I posted an image of the tweet because Elon is acting stranger by the day. He wants to charge just to view tweets too and seems to want total control of the platform according to his whims, tantrums and twisted ideology. What surprises me is the seeming lack of competition and Elon appears to be driving news organizations to it for several reasons, his personal biases affecting the platform and algorithm among them. The world is a dynamic place, not a static one and there is a reaction to every action and Elon's actions have been accumulating.

I don't think Elon needs to worry about bankers taking over since the Saudi's are the bankers from what I can gather, and he dances to their tune as well as China's for batteries. Besides if there are bankers who want to take over, Elon could just pay off the debt or weasel out of the debt, it is worth less than $10 billion after he paid $44 billion, 2 or 3 times what it was actually worth. Elon has become as polarizing as Trump and for many of the same reasons. Only an asshole backs and international war criminal like Putin or is even neutral in this black and white war without much ambiguity. Elon backed Trump too, until he figured he was a loser and then back Desantis another fascist.

SEC sues Musk to testify in Twitter probe
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued Elon Musk on Thursday in an effort to compel him to testify in its probe over Musk’s purchase of Twitter, the platform now known as X.

The SEC alleges Musk failed to comply with a subpoena as part of the SEC’s investigation over the billionaire’s purchase of Twitter last year.

“The SEC has followed all appropriate administrative steps required in seeking Musk’s testimony. In the face of Musk’s blatant refusal to comply with the SEC’s subpoena, the SEC now asks the Court to intervene and compel Musk’s compliance,” the SEC wrote in a filing.

The Hill reached out to an X spokesperson for comment.

The SEC started an investigation into Musk’s purchase of Twitter in April 2022. The probe was looking into whether any person or entities violated any federal security laws in connection to Musk’s purchase of Twitter’s stock and his statement and SEC filing related to Twitter.

As part of the investigation, the SEC said it served Musk with a subpoena to testify in June, and a month later he appeared for two half-day sessions by video conference.

However, since Musk testified, the SEC has received “thousands of new documents,” including “hundreds of new documents produced by Musk,” according to the lawsuit.

Despite repeated subpoenas and requests from the SEC since May, Musk has refused to testify, through pushing off scheduled dates and refusing to appear, the SEC alleged.

“Musk’s ongoing refusal to comply with the SEC’s administrative subpoena is hindering and delaying the SEC staff’s investigation to determine whether violations of the federal securities laws have occurred. Accordingly, the SEC now asks the Court to compel Musk to appear for investigative testimony,” the SEC wrote.

Elon Musk calls for overhaul of SEC amid lawsuit
Elon Musk called for an overhaul of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Thursday, the same day the agency sued him in an effort to compel him to testify about his purchase of Twitter, the platform now known as X.

“A comprehensive overhaul of these agencies is sorely needed, along with a commission to take punitive action against those individuals who have abused their regulatory power for personal and political gain. Can’t wait for this to happen,” Musk wrote on X in response to news of the SEC suing him.

The SEC is accusing Musk of failing to comply with a subpoena as part of its investigation over his purchase of Twitter last year. The agency had launched its probe into the billionaire’s purchase of Twitter in 2022 and was tasked with investigating whether any person or entities violated any federal security laws.

“The SEC has followed all appropriate administrative steps required in seeking Musk’s testimony. In the face of Musk’s blatant refusal to comply with the SEC’s subpoena, the SEC now asks the Court to intervene and compel Musk’s compliance,” the SEC wrote in a filing.
Musk had previously appeared for two half-day sessions for a testimony, but the SEC says he has declined to testify again. The SEC has requested additional testimony because it has received “thousands of new documents,” including “hundreds of new documents produced by Musk,” according to the lawsuit.

“Musk’s ongoing refusal to comply with the SEC’s administrative subpoena is hindering and delaying the SEC staff’s investigation to determine whether violations of the federal securities laws have occurred. Accordingly, the SEC now asks the Court to compel Musk to appear for investigative testimony,” the SEC wrote.

OldMedUser said:

I cancelled my order for Starlink when I got an email saying it was ready to ship. Now I'm getting emails that I can get the dish for only $199 instead of $749 but just got Telus Wi-Fi Hub on a 2 year plan. 6X faster than what we had and good enough for now. $80/mth cheaper in my package deal for Sat TV and a landline than what I was paying too. The guys I was with let me keep my email for $5/mth so I don't have to change everything over which is worth more than that to me. No disconnet fee or anything plus they are upgrading to be even faster than the Hub so I may go back to them after the two years is up unless Telus gives me an even better deal. I'll soon be able to get all my TV thru it as well then can cut the Sat TV out.

With just Starlink screwing up the night skies it's only going to get a lot worse once a couple more companies planning to do likewise start launching thousands of more satellites up there.

Sell your telescope while it's still worth something.

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What kind of telescope do you have? I was going to make one with a 20" mirror.

bluegill said:

What kind of telescope do you have? I was going to make one with a 20" mirror.

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I just have a cheapo telescope I use when target practising sometimes but don't stargaze with it. I'm thinking of all the astronomers getting screwed over by this stuff pro or amateur.

OldMedUser said:

I just have a cheapo telescope I use when target practising sometimes but don't stargaze with it. I'm thinking of all the astronomers getting screwed over by this stuff pro or amateur.

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Less concerned about stargazing and more concerned about space debris, personally. Cubesats only cost a few million to launch, international use of antisat tech, and a total lack of conservation in our orbital region with premonitions of ocean garbage... are all things that concern me.

bluegill said:

Less concerned about stargazing and more concerned about space debris, personally. Cubesats only cost a few million to launch, international use of antisat tech, and a total lack of conservation in our orbital region with premonitions of ocean garbage... are all things that concern me.

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We've totally polluted our planet the oceans and now most of out immediate space and that's why we HAVE to go to mars. We're running out of places to hide all our garbage so need a whole new planet for the overflow.

The Great Cull is coming then mother nature will have time to heal.

Bank shenanigans

Elon appears to be as nuts as Trump, same sickness but with a higher IQ.

Tell ya what Elon, you go first and tell us how it works, demonstrate some faith in your product and be the first customer along with all your staff at SpaceX and Tesla! That would be real marketing Elon!

IBM pulls ads from X, citing ‘zero tolerance for hate speech’
IBM confirmed to The Hill it is pulling advertisements from X, the platform formerly known as Twitter Thursday, citing “’zero tolerance for hate speech.”
“IBM has zero tolerance for hate speech and discrimination and we have immediately suspended all advertising on X while we investigate this entirely unacceptable situation,” IBM told the Financial Times.

Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X, faced backlash Wednesday for appearing to agree with an antisemitic post on the platform, replying it was the “absolute truth.” The post that Musk replied to was a response to another post by a user raising an issue with increasing antisemitism.
“To the cowards hiding behind the anonymity of the internet and posting ‘Hitler was right’: You got something you want to say?” the initial user, who identified themselves as a “Jewish Conservative” in their bio, wrote. “Why dont you say it to our faces.”

In response, another user said in a different post that “Jewish [communities] have been pushing the exact kind of dialectical hatred against whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them.”

“I’m deeply disinterested in giving the tiniest shit now about western Jewish populations coming to the disturbing realization that those hordes of minorities that support flooding their country don’t exactly like them too much,” the user continued, adding, “You want truth said to your face, there it is.”
Musk replied: “You have said the actual truth.”

Amongst those who pushed back against Musk’s apparent agreement with the antisemitic post was CNN anchor Jake Tapper, who said it on X it was “pushing unvarnished antisemitism at a time of rising antisemitism and violence against Jews.”

‘Repellant’: Elon Musk’s ‘shocking pronouncement of antisemitism’

“It is so shocking and repellent that Elon Musk—a man at the highest echelons of our society—would not just say something like that, but actually believe it,” says Chris Hayes on Musk praising an antisemetic conspiracy theory on his platform.

Steve Schmidt explains the true danger of Elon Musk's antisemitism | The Warning

Steve Schmidt reacts to the recent antisemitic posts from Elon Musk, the owner of X, formerly known as Twitter. Steve explains the true danger of the message Musk continues to spread.

When the POTUS (a normal one) shits on him, he should get a clue. All the ad revenue drying up on X should be another clue.

Sure wish I could afford to throw 44 billion down the shitter.

I wouldn't but would be nice if I could.