Hare Krishna.

Question: What is the Bhagavad Gita’s perspective on Elon Musk’s taking over of Twitter?

Answer: The Bhagavad Gita is a book of spiritual wisdom, and its primary purpose is to help us see things in a way that fosters higher consciousness, selflessness, and the ability to act in accordance with these values. It encourages us to evaluate social developments based on whether they support or hinder the higher purposes of life.

From that perspective, we can analyze Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter. The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the importance of speaking the truth, particularly in terms of the discipline of speech. It advocates speaking Satya (truth). On Twitter, there has been significant censorship or restriction of speech, especially for individuals with traditional and conservative values. Because of this, one narrative was being highly promoted, while another was suppressed, misrepresented, or denied a platform.

One of the reasons Elon Musk has given for taking over Twitter is to restore the ethos of free speech. If this indeed leads to a broader representation of voices, including those with traditional views (not necessarily opposing modernity, but rather seeking a tradition that is relevant to modern life), then it would be a positive development.

For instance, the former head of Twitter openly supported anti-Brahminical movements, and in general, any support of Hinduism has been equated with right-wing extremism and obstructed or silenced. This kind of censorship is problematic, especially since Twitter positions itself as a neutral platform, claiming the status of a medium rather than a publisher. Yet, it engages in censorship, which undermines its claim to neutrality. If this censorship can be avoided, it would be a step in the right direction.

The Bhagavad Gita itself is a source of spiritual knowledge, and it states that the rulers of a state should ideally facilitate order in society and support the dissemination of spiritual wisdom. This wisdom serves as the foundation for establishing order. While Twitter is not a state or a government, it is a transnational organization whose influence can, in some cases, exceed that of governments of smaller countries. The fact that Twitter banned the President of the United States is an example of the power it wields. I am not taking any political sides in this discussion, but the point remains that if Twitter is biased toward leftist narratives and against religious and spiritual principles, this is a concern.

Some may argue that social media is a “cesspool” and that we shouldn’t care about what happens there. While it is true that social media can be a space where people get distracted or misled, it is undeniable that especially the younger generation gets most of their news and forms their views based on what is shared on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and, to some extent, TikTok (though it is banned in India).

If these platforms promote only one particular narrative, an entire generation can be cut off from traditional perspectives and may become biased toward a singular worldview. This occurs without any significant effort or awareness. If we want the spiritual traditions of India to be available for exploration by the younger generation, it is essential that these perspectives have a platform, especially since their little universe is often shaped by social media. In this context, a more unbiased social media platform that allows free speech is crucial for the dissemination of spiritual knowledge.

Of course, this is not an ethical statement about Elon Musk or a personal endorsement of him. Rather, the point is that this development could help create a more level playing field for those who are trying to preserve and share spiritual culture and wisdom. How things will unfold remains to be seen, but if Musk’s stated intent is realized, it could indeed be a positive development.

From the Bhagavad Gita’s perspective, this development could help create resources on social media that elevate human consciousness towards higher goals, goodness, contemplation, and awareness of the truth. Such an environment would lead to better decision-making aligned with the higher purposes of life, guided by spiritual wisdom and cultural values.

Thank you.