In a recent interview with CNBC, Bob Geldof, the activist who organized the Live Aid concerts in the 1980s, expressed his concern about the power held Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Geldof stated that while Musk is undoubtedly a great inventor, he should not have the ability to influence the course of a war.
The interview also touched upon Musk’s decision to block Ukraine from using Starlink for an attack on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. According to his biographer Walter Isaacson, Musk did not want his technology to be used for military purposes, stating that Starlink was designed for peaceful and civilian use.
Geldof further criticized both Musk and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, labeling them as “inadequate people” who are not socially comfortable. He also expressed concerns about the negative impact of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, citing their role in promoting bullying and trolling.
Interestingly, Musk’s actions regarding the trust and safety department at X, formerly known as Twitter, were brought up in the interview. After Musk took over, he reportedly laid off hundreds of employees from the department, raising questions about the responsibility of tech giants in addressing harmful content on their platforms.
Overall, the interview shed light on the growing concerns surrounding the power and influence of tech industry leaders, such as Musk and Zuckerberg, and the need for greater accountability when it comes to their impact on global affairs and societal issues. It’s worth noting that representatives for Musk and Zuckerberg did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.