Image of podcast

TRAPPED at Burning Man! & Elon Musk vs. ADL | PIRATE WIRES EP# 13 🏴‍☠️

Pirate Wires

Fri Sep 08 2023



Burning Man Experience and History:

  • Liv Boeree shares her experience at Burning Man, debunking rumors of people being trapped or dying.
  • Burning Man originated in 1986 as a summer solstice celebration on the beaches of San Francisco. It combines elements of technology, art, hippie culture, and punk culture to create a temporary city in the desert where participants embrace unexpected situations.

Challenges Faced by Burning Man Due to Misinformation:

  • Leading up to this specific event, there was misinformation circulating about an apocalyptic scenario caused by heavy rain that would result in many deaths.
  • Some media accurately reported on the challenges faced at Burning Man due to muddy conditions but exaggerated claims led to hysteria.

Impact of Internet Vitriol on Burning Man:

  • Online criticism from various ideological perspectives has affected Burning Man's reputation.
  • Right-wing individuals label it as a devil-worshipping festival, while older Gen Xers criticize millennials for not understanding its true essence.

ADL's Role in Online Speech Control:

  • The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has been pressuring advertisers to leave Twitter due to Elon Musk's presence on the platform.
  • This action is part of wider efforts by NGOs like ADL and organizations like Center for Countering Digital Hate to censor speech they deem unacceptable.

Consequences of NGO-Corporate Pressure on Speech: 1 . Pressure from NGOs and organizations aims to push platforms into adopting strict speech codes. 2 . De facto censorship through advertiser pressure becomes problematic when unelected organizations dictate what can be said online.

Reflections on Free Speech in the Online World: 1 . Controlling online speech requires finding a delicate balance between addressing genuine instances of hate while preserving free expression. 2 . Overzealous controls limit discussions, create power imbalances, spark backlash, and hinder open debate.

AI Safety and Regulation: 1 . Elon Musk is seen as a threat by some because they want money and see social media as where the money is. 2 . Censorship of online platforms has become a popular opinion on the left, dominating the media ecosystem.

Power and Control in AI: 1 . Examining the concentration of power in individuals like Elon Musk is crucial. 2 . Building robust systems that can withstand the whims of individuals with power is important.

Jack Dorsey and Twitter: 1 . Jack Dorsey acknowledges the unique power that exists in social media platforms like Twitter. 2 . He believes that no one should have the power to stop someone from publishing something, including himself.

Media Manipulation and Time Magazine's List: 1 . Time Magazine's inclusion of influential people in AI may not always be deserved. 2 . Lists like these have real-life impact and set the tone for conferences and speaking engagements.

The Need for Third Gravitational Attractor: 1 . The current options of decentralized anarchy or centralized control both have significant drawbacks. 2 . There is a need for a third approach that minimizes risks while maximizing positive outcomes.

Curation of Online Experiences: 1 . A vast majority of censorship should be reduced to foster more diverse perspectives and productive conversations. 2 . Excessive curation may hinder genuine dialogue and understanding among users.