WASHINGTON: Mark Zuckerberg’s reputation in the tech world is experiencing a revival, thanks in large part to the unpredictable behavior of Elon Musk. The long-standing rivalry between Musk and the Facebook creator has escalated with the launch of Meta’s new app, Threads. Musk has not only sued Zuckerberg but has also engaged in childish and provocative behavior on Twitter. Andrew Selepak, an assistant media professor at the University of Florida, commented on the grudge match between the two wealthy individuals, stating that Musk’s behavior seems one-sided and childish.
The feud between Musk and Zuckerberg has unfolded on social media, with one altercation originating on Threads when Wendy’s, the fast-food chain, made a friendly jab at Musk. Zuckerberg responded with a laughing emoji, which triggered an aggressive response from Musk. He used a derogatory term to insult Zuckerberg and proposed a controversial contest.
Zuckerberg has mostly ignored these provocations but has occasionally joined the fray. He jokingly offered to engage in a bare-knuckled cage fight with Musk, and upon the release of Threads, he made his first tweet in more than a decade, sharing a popular Spider-Man meme that tacitly acknowledged the similarity between his app and Twitter. Despite these incidents, Zuckerberg, who is known for his martial arts practice and commitment to his family, presents himself as a calmer figure in the tech industry.
Over time, the negative headlines surrounding Zuckerberg, such as the Cambridge Analytica scandal and his testimony before US lawmakers, have begun to fade. Even the failure to succeed in virtual reality ventures has lost prominence. Surprisingly, it is Musk’s antics that have contributed the most to the rehabilitation of Zuckerberg’s image, according to tech industry analyst Rob Enderle.
Last week, Meta released Threads to its 2.3 billion Instagram users (excluding Europe), and the app has already garnered over 100 million sign-ups. Those who have praised Threads are often individuals who have expressed concerns about Facebook and its data collection practices. However, Threads, like other Meta platforms, still requests permission to extensively track users’ online activities. This requirement has caused delays in the app’s launch in Europe due to restrictive data protection legislation.
Carolina Milanesi, an industry observer, notes that while profit-driven motives can be understood, Twitter, on the other hand, is a platform driven by an egotistic and ethically questionable individual. Feuds within the tech industry, such as the battles between Steve Jobs and Steve Ballmer, are not unprecedented, but Enderle views the Musk-Zuckerberg rivalry as particularly extraordinary.
Ultimately, as this rivalry unfolds, both Musk and Zuckerberg continue to navigate their reputations and the impact of their unique actions in the ever-changing world of technology. – AFP
Credit: The Star : News Feed
