Twitter is not even on the list of the top 10 most popular social media platforms, and with wild fluctuations in its earnings outlook, but why has the world’s richest person, Elon Musk, been so passionate about owning it?
The following timeline marks the major events in Musk’s Twitter takeover:
To me, it is one of the most effective technology leveraged buyouts (LBO) in recent history. I’ve studied the commentaries and analyses from the far-right to the far-left. The takeover process wasn’t quite smooth and friendly, and the result was like a drama, but the acquisition process was well-explained in many articles and commentators’ analyses.
It’s pretty clear how the world’s richest person funded $44 billion and put arguably the most influential social media platform into his own pocket, but when anyone was asked what Elon Musk will do with Twitter, you got pretty much the same answer. What was the answer?
Let’s have a chat on Tuesday, 5/17/22. Hope to see you at the meeting online.
Reference Materials
Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiTVcFJef5Q (6 min)
Gravitas: What will Elon Musk's Twitter look like?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3klw7jXxL0 (5.5 min)
Exclusive: Elon Musk On Twitter Fame, Loneliness, And AI; The richest person’s sensitive side)
Article:
https://www.vox.com/recode/23042878/elo ... ree-speech
(Elon Musk says buying Twitter is about free speech. Does he know what that means? - Vox)
Optional Materials:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m ... 0558798559 (17 min, WSJ Podcast on 4/26/22)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82pr19jgov0 (12 min; 4/19/22)
Twitter's Poison Pill defense against Elon Musk Explained)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O82-WLKetjc (13 min)
Elon Musk is the Twitter Board's Worst Nightmare)
Questions for Discussion
Session I: What Has Happened?
Q1. What are the issues with social media platforms? Why has Elon Musk been so keen on taking control of Twitter?
Q2. What was the process of the Twitter takeover? What is a “poison pill”? Why did the Twitter board decide to sell itself to Elon Musk?
Q3. Is it OK for one person to own a very influential social media platform? Why or why not?
Q4. Why did Elon Musk put the deal on hold? Do you think the buyout will eventually go through?
Session II: What Now?
Q1. Why does the conservative party (the Republicans) welcome Musk’s takeover? Why are the liberals very critical of his ownership?
Q2. What will be changed in Twitter?
- a) Have you read false information on Twitter or any other social media platforms?
b) How will Elon Musk implement his “free speech” policies?
c) Should Twitter allow Donald Trump back? What did Elon Musk say and do you agree with him?
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Agenda:
6:45 ~ 7:00pm Greetings & Free Talk / Ordering Beverage or Meal / Getting Newcomer’s Information
7:00 ~ 7:10pm Opening Remarks / Newcomer’s Self-introduction / Grouping
(Session I)
7:10 ~ 7:50pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
7:50 ~ 8:00pm Summarization (10 mins)
8:00 ~ 8:05pm Regrouping / Instruction Giving / Taking a 10 Minutes Break (Intermission)
(Session II)
8:05 ~ 8:45pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
8:45 ~ 8:55pm Summarization (10 mins)
8:55 ~ 9:00pm Concluding Remarks / Announcements
Meeting Date: As shown on the Subject Line
Meeting Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Online meeting:
Zoom meeting ID: 88548972682
Password: 784362
Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88548972682...
#YoyoEnglishClub
Due to the early close business hour of Dante, there will be NO ON-SITE MEETING.
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