Elon Musk did not save Democracy or Free speech. The internet already has.
In 2022, a pivotal event unfolded in the realm of social media and global communication: Elon Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion, subsequently rebranding it as X. This acquisition sparked widespread and varying reactions. Many individuals, particularly those with right-leaning views, praised Musk's move as a decisive act to safeguard free speech and uphold democracy itself. However, I will argue that X, or any other social platform, is inherently the opposite of free and democratic. Social media platforms are closed ecosystems that live inside walled gardens. The content that lives inside these walled gardens is strictly controlled by a small group of people, or in the case of X, a single individual, thereby heavily restricting your voice. And the content that you can post without concern is obscured, only brought to the front at the whims of an algorithm. In contrast, running your own website is open, autonomous, free, and addressable. It is the only truly democratic and free way to be on the internet.
The most crucial issue to address is who owns and controls your content. When you post or share content to social media platforms such as X, you lose control over it. Article #4 in the X terms of service states that X can take action against you if you violate their terms, such as removing your content, limiting visibility, or taking legal action. They may also suspend or terminate your account for inactivity, legal exposure, or commercial reasons. X ‘promises’ that you retain ownership and rights to your content. Yet to use their platform, you must grant them an irrevocable, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, copy, reproduce, process, adapt, modify, publish, transmit, display, upload, download, and distribute your content through any media or distribution method.
These terms of service are similar across social media platforms, but what’s unique about X is that it is a private company, meaning a single individual holds complete control and authority over decision-making processes. When this happens, the structure deviates significantly from democratic principles. Unlike a democracy, where power is distributed among various stakeholders to ensure representation and fairness, such a scenario mirrors a dictatorship. This concentration of power restricts diverse perspectives and undermines the collaborative ethos essential for equitable governance. Recognising this distinction is crucial when evaluating the influence and operation of modern platforms, and whether you want your content controlled by the whims of a single person.
In addition to the pervasive issues of misinformation and political hostility, X also fosters an environment where critical thinking and constructive dialogue are often undermined. This atmosphere not only erodes public trust but also amplifies polarisation, making it increasingly difficult for diverse voices to be heard and for consensus to be reached. As a result, the very fabric of democratic discourse is strained, highlighting the urgent need for measures that promote media literacy, accountability, and respectful engagement across differing viewpoints.
The X algorithm poses a significant threat to the principles of true democracy. Instead of cultivating an environment where genuine debate and the exchange of diverse worldviews can flourish, it inadvertently encourages users to adopt hive-mind-like behaviour. This phenomenon fosters tribalism and engenders hostility towards individuals who express differing opinions. As a result, the algorithm diminishes the opportunity for open discourse and critical thinking, both of which are fundamental to a healthy democratic society.
After assessing these facts, it becomes evident that the real saviour is the Internet, the very force that facilitates X. Often overlooked, the Internet stands humbly as the ultimate saviour of free speech and democracy. However, its salvation is delivered only when you maintain control over your own content by hosting it on your own website. In doing so, you bypass arbitrary rules, ambiguous content moderation, and algorithmic tyranny. The personal website is a genuine platform where you can express anything you want. The Internet transcends geographical boundaries, enabling individuals to voice their opinions, share ideas, and connect with others on a global scale. This powerful platform not only fosters the exchange of information but also empowers people to advocate for their rights, participate in democratic processes, and challenge oppressive systems. Yet this impact is only fully harnessed when you control your own digital space, rather than relinquishing your rights to a corporation controlled by greed.
Unlike content hosted on social media platforms or third-party services, personal websites offer a unique level of autonomy and control to their owners. This autonomy means that the content cannot be easily censored or removed en masse, as it is hosted independently rather than governed by the policies of large corporations or subject to widespread takedown requests. Consequently, personal websites serve as resilient platforms for free expression, allowing individuals to publish their ideas, showcase their work, and maintain an online presence that reflects their personal views without undue external interference.
Personal websites serve as independent platforms, free from the arbitrary control of any single authoritative figure. Unlike environments governed by individual dictates, these websites are regulated solely by the rule of law—a principle that should also govern entities like X. Upholding the rule of law is fundamental to maintaining a just society. Yet in the case that these legal systems become oppressive, personal websites provide a vital means for individuals to voice dissent. They act as resilient spaces where people can express opposition and advocate for change without the immediate threat of censorship or removal. And when a government tries to limit access to or remove the content of a website, there are tools readily available to uphold free speech. Through the use of a VPN, content can be accessed anywhere in the world. And if your website is at risk of being taken down, there are methods of hosting it, such as on the Inter-Planetary File System (IPFS) that mitigate or remove these risks entirely.
Moreover, personal websites are inherently free from algorithmic bias, allowing content to be presented as intended by the creator without manipulation by unseen algorithms designed to maximise engagement. Unlike the impulsive and often hostile exchanges commonly observed on X, personal websites provide a more controlled environment where thoughtful discourse can flourish without the distraction of reactive comments. Moreover, they are not susceptible to the rampant tribalism that frequently emerges on X, where users can become entrenched in polarised groups. This autonomy fosters a more authentic and meaningful exchange of ideas, making personal websites a superior medium for thoughtfully and effectively distributing information.
Facilitated by the internet's expansive reach, combined with the power of organic search engines, personal websites are further freed from the control of algorithms. Websites can link to anything and be linked to from anywhere, thus participating in the great “web of hypertext”. This stands in stark contrast to social platforms like X, which reserve the right to remove your content, limit its visibility, or even terminate your account. The success and visibility of a website are not contingent upon the proliferation of humorous memes intended to insult opposing viewpoints, but rather on the intrinsic quality and relevance of their content. High-quality content engages audiences, fosters credibility, and encourages repeat visits, ultimately establishing a website's reputation and authority within its niche. This emphasis on substantive material over superficial trends underscores the importance of authenticity and value in the digital landscape, where thoughtful, well-crafted content reigns supreme in attracting and retaining an engaged audience.
In conclusion, the Internet, established many years ago, has already played a crucial role in preserving democracy and free speech. It has evolved into a “digital town square,” fulfilling the aspirations of platforms like X. However, it does not suffer from the drawbacks associated with a large digital platform controlled by a single individual, which often includes an abundance of bots, hate speech, and manipulative algorithms.