Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin posted on Twitter on January 1, urging Musk (Elon Musk) to calmly consider and address the recent controversy surrounding the H-1B foreign technical visa. At the same time, Vitalik reminded Musk that overly radical rhetoric could cause long-term harm to free speech and public discourse.
The H1B visa controversy ignites a public opinion war, Musk defends to the end.
The situation arose when Musk posted on Twitter on December 28 supporting the H-1B foreign technical visa, stating that American companies have the right to hire foreign technical personnel. Musk, who was originally from South Africa, expressed indignantly: 'The reason I came to the United States with so many elite individuals and subsequently established SpaceX, Tesla, and hundreds of companies that make America strong is because of H-1B. Those of you who oppose H-1B better figure out what you are talking about; I will definitely fight on this issue to the end.'
Musk exploded on Twitter against those opposing the H-1B visa.
However, this statement has made some conservative supporters of Trump quite unhappy, believing it is detrimental to the employment conditions of American citizens. According to foreign media reports, some conservatives claimed they were restricted from advanced Twitter account features for criticizing Musk's stance, accusing Musk's social media platform of implementing speech censorship.
Musk's radical remarks prompted a response from Vitalik
Musk's radical remarks on Twitter also prompted a response from Ethereum co-founder Vitalik in the comments, who appreciated Musk's courage in fighting for free speech but also warned: 'The challenge of respecting free speech is that even if we dislike certain statements, we must uphold the right to their existence.'
Vitalik added: 'If the discourse power is held by one group today, it may fall into another group's hands tomorrow.' Vitalik believes that the abuse of discourse power will only degrade public discussion into three scenarios:
Polarization: Divided opinions, each acting independently.
Monoculture: Those in power suppress all dissenting voices.
Total confrontation: Falling into an endless conflict.
Vitalik urges Musk, as a leader, to be more open-minded.
Vitalik emphasized that as a leader, every statement, big or small, is crucial to the social atmosphere and should be used to promote human welfare rather than provoke opposition. He stated that Musk's radical remarks are not the best way to help humanity advance civilization and that communication should be through more positive and constructive means, rather than relying on discourse power on social media to suppress differing voices. Musk has not yet responded to Vitalik's suggestions regarding this public opinion storm.
Vitalik responded that Musk needs to be open to different voices.
(Musk: Acquiring Twitter to protect free speech, Trump's loss will mean no democracy in America)
This article critiques Vitalik Musk's radical remarks on H-1B by Ethereum founder: Don't abuse discourse power, please be more open, first appeared in Chain News ABMedia.