Chris Anderson, the head of TED, has issued a strong public letter to Elon Musk, addressing concerns about the billionaire’s use of X, the platform Musk owns and heavily influences. Shared directly on X, Anderson expressed unease about Musk’s unfiltered posts and their potential real-world consequences.
In his letter, Anderson acknowledged Musk’s extraordinary achievements in technology and entrepreneurship, calling him “this century’s single most influential writer.” He noted Musk’s vast reach on the platform, where over 200 million followers hang on his every word. “No one in history has had this much power,” Anderson wrote, pointing to the unique authority Musk wields as both a user and owner of X.
The TED head raised concerns about journalistic ethics, particularly fairness and responsibility. Anderson criticized Musk’s approach of posting accusations without seeking responses from those involved, warning of the potential fallout. “Some of your recent posts could literally get someone killed,” Anderson cautioned. “Do you really want to risk that? How is it possible that you can do this at the very same time that you’re calling on people to make X more positive, more beautiful?”
Anderson also called out Musk’s commentary style, which he likened to “playground bullying.” He warned that such behavior could harm Musk’s reputation and alienate valuable allies. “You’re hearing the cheers of your most loyal followers but missing the fact you’re making yourself a laughing stock among many who you really want on your side,” Anderson said. He added that this could ultimately damage Musk’s businesses and his broader ambitions for humanity.
In the letter, Anderson reminisced about Musk’s earlier persona, which had inspired millions around the globe. “I miss the old Elon. You can be funny, interesting, insightful, and inspiring,” Anderson wrote. He urged Musk to reflect on the values that originally earned him admiration and to lead by example through thoughtful communication.
The open letter comes as Musk continues to push for X to become the go-to platform for citizen journalism, challenging traditional media outlets. However, Anderson warned that Musk’s current approach could undermine these efforts. “Your efforts to make X the respected home of citizen journalism will fail,” Anderson wrote, stressing the importance of adhering to core journalistic principles.
Anderson’s concerns underscore the growing tension surrounding Musk’s control of X and his influence on public discourse. While Musk’s loyal followers often cheer his unfiltered style, critics have raised alarms about the potential dangers of unchecked power in shaping narratives.
Anderson’s letter has sparked significant attention on social media, with users debating whether Musk should change his approach or continue as he sees fit. Meanwhile, Musk remains focused on his ambitious plans for X, Tesla, and SpaceX, showing little indication of altering his communication strategy.
The public nature of Anderson’s letter highlights the ongoing scrutiny of Musk’s leadership style and its implications for his businesses and personal image. Whether Musk will heed the advice or double down on his current practices remains to be seen.
This exchange marks another chapter in the evolving relationship between influential figures in the tech world and the platforms they control, raising important questions about accountability and the power of social media.
