Elon Musk Left Mark Zuckerberg’s Group Due to Group’s “Cynical Politics”
Successful entrepreneur and South African immigrant Elon Musk disclosed that he left Mark Zuckerberg’s political advocacy group FWD.us out of disgust with the organization’s cynical political tactics. Musk made the disclosure during an interview at All Things Digital (start at 56:30).
WALTER MOSSBERG: Since we just touched on immigration, can you explain what happened with the political lobbying effort started by Mark Zuckerberg that you were a supporter of but then you withdrew, along with some others, what was that all about?
ELON MUSK: Yeah. So initially when I agreed to be part of Fwd.us because I do believe in immigration reform – we do have some very antiquated laws we need to change them. And there was some other things that need to be on the agenda. So I thought ‘Ok I’ll support that.’
But I think the methods that were employed – there was a little too much of the sort of Kissingeresque Realpolitik – I think we should try and make things happen for the right reason and we shouldn’t give in to the cynicism of politics. We should fight the cynicism. If we do anything to encourage that then we’ll get the political system that we deserve.
Zuckerberg’s group was already under heavy fire from the left for promoting the Keystone XL Pipeline. The pipeline will facilitate the extraction of the Canadian Tar Sands, a process James Hansen of NASA called “Game Over” vis a vis Climate Change. Zuckerberg’s group also ran ads promoting drilling in the arctic and opposing Obamacare.
Zuckerberg’s reputation for crass opportunism, well-earned, was reinforced by the move but a larger question over Silicon Valley’s role in American society was also raised by the entry of Fwd.us into the immigration debate. Is Silicon Valley really a guiding light for progress or just another ruthless industry rapaciously seething for more profits? The split between Zuckerberg and Musk may be indicative of a larger struggle going on for the soul of Silicon Valley.
The tech industry can’t have it both ways. Either they deserve to be cut slack (and taxes) for innovation and “not being evil” or they are just like any other industry in the country – not worthy of trust or admiration but in need of cautious care and thorough regulation.
Elon Musk Left Mark Zuckerberg’s Group Due To Group’s “Cynical Politics”
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Successful entrepreneur and South African immigrant Elon Musk disclosed that he left Mark Zuckerberg’s political advocacy group FWD.us out of disgust with the organization’s cynical political tactics. Musk made the disclosure during an interview at All Things Digital (start at 56:30).
WALTER MOSSBERG: Since we just touched on immigration, can you explain what happened with the political lobbying effort started by Mark Zuckerberg that you were a supporter of but then you withdrew, along with some others, what was that all about?
ELON MUSK: Yeah. So initially when I agreed to be part of Fwd.us because I do believe in immigration reform – we do have some very antiquated laws we need to change them. And there was some other things that need to be on the agenda. So I thought ‘Ok I’ll support that.’
But I think the methods that were employed – there was a little too much of the sort of Kissingeresque Realpolitik – I think we should try and make things happen for the right reason and we shouldn’t give in to the cynicism of politics. We should fight the cynicism. If we do anything to encourage that then we’ll get the political system that we deserve.
Zuckerberg’s group was already under heavy fire from the left for promoting the Keystone XL Pipeline. The pipeline will facilitate the extraction of the Canadian Tar Sands, a process James Hansen of NASA called “Game Over” vis a vis Climate Change. Zuckerberg’s group also ran ads promoting drilling in the arctic and opposing Obamacare.
Zuckerberg’s reputation for crass opportunism, well-earned, was reinforced by the move but a larger question over Silicon Valley’s role in American society was also raised by the entry of Fwd.us into the immigration debate. Is Silicon Valley really a guiding light for progress or just another ruthless industry rapaciously seething for more profits? The split between Zuckerberg and Musk may be indicative of a larger struggle going on for the soul of Silicon Valley.
The tech industry can’t have it both ways. Either they deserve to be cut slack (and taxes) for innovation and “not being evil” or they are just like any other industry in the country – not worthy of trust or admiration but in need of cautious care and thorough regulation.
