Guy Bigwood

Sustainable tourism and events pioneer, strategist, speaker, facilitador

[Chris Anderson @TEDchris]

With a certain amount of trepidation, I'm posting this open letter to @elonmusk, someone I have admired, but who, right now, is causing me concern. I know I'm not alone in thinking these thoughts. Please like or repost if you're willing... And Elon, if you're listening, please know this is offered in a constructive spirit.

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Dear Elon,

A thought hit me this morning.

On top of all your achievements in technology and entrepreneurship, you have become this century's single most influential writer.  You have more than 200 million followers on a powerful platform that you yourself control. And the words that you write flow well beyond just those followers into almost every user of X and far beyond courtesy of extensive media coverage.   This makes Rupert Murdoch at his prime seem inconsequential.

It must feel exhilarating. You made a huge gamble buying Twitter and it seems to have paid off spectacularly to the point that you can use it to massively impact the world, including changing governments.  You believe that X can largely replace most mainstream media. It is the new platform for citizen journalism, and you are citizen number 1.  You don’t need the hassle of editors and fact-checkers. Every single thing you post garners millions of likes and reposts. In a heartbeat you can change the global conversation.  No one in history has had this much power.

So there’s a lot at stake here, and, as it happens, journalism is something I care deeply about. I began my career as a journalist because I believed that good journalism was essential for the healthy functioning of democracy. Today I am worried — quite deeply worried, actually — that in your triumphant seizing of the global conversation, some of the core tenets of journalism are being forgotten. Without them, I think your efforts to make X the respected home of citizen journalism will fail.

There are numerous journalistic principles that matter — Grok can summarize them quite nicely. But there’s one in particular that’s been troubling me. It’s the fairness doctrine. The one that says that before you publish savagely critical claims about an individual, or an institution, you reach out to them for their side of the story. After all, just possibly, you may have missed a key fact or two that would change how people assess what has happened. Just possibly your sources were motivated to cause damage to that individual. Just possibly there’s an alternative explanation of what happened.

So, for example, when you tell hundreds of millions of people that someone should be hanged or jailed for outrageous crimes against humanity, just possibly you should first sound out what those who know those people really well would say about them. Some of your recent posts could literally get someone killed. Do you really want to risk that? How is it possible that you can do this at the very same time that you’re calling on people to make X more positive, more beautiful?  You say you want to maximize un-regretted user-seconds on X.  By far the simplest way you could do this, Elon, is simply to thoughtfully edit what you yourself post.

I get that from your eyes the issues you are championing are unbelievably important and worthy of extreme efforts. But the way you are presenting them is not citizen journalism. It's playground bullying. It’s crass and it’s cruel, and it’s therefore not nearly as effective as it could be.  You’re hearing the cheers of your most loyal followers, but missing the fact you’re making yourself a laughing stock among many who you really want on your side. Long-term that’s going to damage X, your other businesses, and indeed your long-term dreams for humanity.  No one wants to follow a playground bully to Mars.

I miss the old Elon. You can be funny, interesting, insightful and inspiring. You've fought incredibly hard for what you've built. And you may feel you're entitled to do whatever the hell you want with it. But I also know that you understand the danger of holding too tightly to the ring of power, how it can distort someone's judgement and turn them ugly.

I’m hoping you can loosen that ring just a little. For the love of humanity that you profess, I really urge you to embrace the fairness doctrine and showcase a better face of X.

Thanks for listening.

Chris

[Guy Bigwood @guybigwood]

Brilliant to see the work happening in LATAM.

[Guy Bigwood @guybigwood]

welcome #Strasbourg

[Guy Bigwood @guybigwood]

Proud and excited to present the Gds-index results yesterday at #ICCACongress22 Congrats to all the participating cities.

[Guy Bigwood @guybigwood]

Interesting data point on value of certification

[Events Industry Council @Events_Council]

According to the latest @pcmaconvene Salary Survey, #eventplanners with the #CMP credential earn on average $10,756 more annually than their non-certified counterparts. To get started on your own CMP journey or for further information visit: https://t.co/ROY2wZ9RPY @pcmahq

[Guy Bigwood @guybigwood]

@visitbrussels It was fun thanks for inviting us

[visitbrussels @visitbrussels]

Sustainability session with @guybigwood addressing:
▶️ sustainability context today
▶️ tourism & sustainability
▶️ GDS index position of Brussels & next steps
▶️ Gothenburg example as a collective commitment (brought live)
🛠️Q&A with practical questions

[Guy Bigwood @guybigwood]

Love this work.

[Rachael McGuickin @Downingstreet83]

Absolutely love this ❤️ huge generosity shown from the @TheBTAorg as part of their conference coming to Belfast this week. #thepowerofevents @guybigwood #changingthemenuforgood #impact @pk_belfast

[ESCRS @ESCRSofficial]

DAY 2 at #ESCRS2022 working towards Mission Zero!

Want to add some flavour to your #sustainability efforts today? We offer planet-friendlier catering options with a wide selection of vegetarian menus. Your body and the earth will thank you!

Learn more: https://t.co/P8xtWJvTQT.

[Guy Bigwood @guybigwood]

For too long healthcare has done nothing to minimise the footprint of their events. Climate is a health issue. We need more leaders like @ESCRSofficial, @vision_eyecare @JNJCares to show the way. #escrs2022. @GDSMovement

[Guy Bigwood @guybigwood]

Shocking to hear about the footprint of healthcare. So do we stand in denial or do something about it? Sjoerd Elferink says we got to get into action #escrs2022

[Guy Bigwood @guybigwood]

Big shout out to @ESCRSofficial president Oliver Findl for his magnificent leadership on sustainability. Amazing what has been achieved in six months.

[Guy Bigwood @guybigwood]

Great to see all the #sustainability initiatives come to life at #ESCRS2022.

[ESCRS @ESCRSofficial]

Don’t Bottle Up Your Sustainability Aspirations! Collect a reusable, branded drinking bottle at the Registration Area and help us create a more sustainable congress.

Check out the Wellness Lounge during #ESCRS2022 for a series of mindful activities: https://t.co/CetMGD3upI.

[Guy Bigwood @guybigwood]

Having fun in Malaysia with @MyCEB and @GDSMovement

[MyCEB @MyCEB]

Sustainability Workshop @ Rumah Tangsi

Delighted to have @guybigwood onboard!
Step up, Scale Up, Speed Up: Transforming Tomorrow from Climate Emergency to Shared Properties
#MBEW2022

[Guy Bigwood @guybigwood]

@MyCEB Brilliant fun

[Guy Bigwood @guybigwood]

Brilliant to be with @MyCEB in KL today for their brilliant biz events week. Great to see so many efforts on the sdgs happening across the industry @GDSMovement

[MyCEB @MyCEB]

Meet in Malaysia @ Malaysia Business Events Week 2022
#MBEW2022
If not now, when?
Great to have @guybigwood sharing on the journey towards sustainability and redesigning the future of our industry to be more resilient and responsible. #BEGreaterTogether

[Guy Bigwood @guybigwood]

@MyCEB Thanks for inviting me. It’s a pleasure to be with you in KL