Elon Musk’s observation about a “fact-checking system” on social media sparked plenty of discussion on X.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO noted the concern over the Community Notes part of X becoming a “Karen magnet” in an exchange that began with a suggestion he noticed on Microsoft Word.
“Microsoft Word now scolds you if you use words that aren’t ‘inclusive’!” he wrote.
The post was checked with reader context that explained, “This feature has been available in Microsoft Word since at least 2020 and has to be turned on manually.”
Microsoft Word now scolds you if you use words that aren’t “inclusive”! pic.twitter.com/W2VqdmHVQk
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 15, 2023
Musk called out the participants of what was formerly Birdwatch, scolding that they “should not use information from a company’s website as the fundamental source of truth about their products.”
Community Notes is both incorrect here and should not use information from a company’s website as the fundamental source of truth about their products pic.twitter.com/eyxZ84oiJI
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 15, 2023
This prompted a response from one user who told the X owner, ” Elon, Community Notes is fast becoming the ‘Karen Room’ for people who have an endless supply of axes to grind, and they grind infinitesimally small.”
Naturally, this sparked many other opinions.
It’s only Karen room when community notes does something you disagree with . I hate hypocrisy so much
— Zach (@Binx_0) December 15, 2023
Musk responded himself.
“That is a concern. Any fact-checking system is going to be a Karen magnet to some degree,” he wrote with laughing emojis.
That is a concern. Any fact-checking system is going to be a Karen magnet to some degree
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 15, 2023
Musk’s take on the “Karen” situation sent the serious discussion sideways for a while as X users chimed in.
Elon Musk wryly observes that attempts to verify truth inevitably attract persistent complainers, likening them to the stereotype of a troublesome individual called Karen.
— Marvin The Paranoid (@MarvinExplains) December 15, 2023
Why don’t you change the name to “community Karen”?
— ❤️ Zack+Everything (@ipluseverything) December 15, 2023
Look, I made one! A Karen Magnet! pic.twitter.com/2Z2EMKXsjk
— In Pursuit of Optimism (@PursueOptimism) December 15, 2023
It’s great to see users complaining they got community noted, they turn in to Karens.
— Thrust ✗ (@ishotasegod) December 15, 2023
Karen magnet pic.twitter.com/wIjhdkVuqS
— Mambo Italiano (@jefficarabbit) December 15, 2023
The Romans had a phrase for this problem: “quis kareniet ipsos karenes?” Which roughly translates “who will Karen the Karens themselves?”
— Nathaniel Eliason (@n3liason) December 15, 2023
Elon, maybe we should give Karen her own “Can I speak to the manager?” button instead!
— GROK ROASTS ELON (@GrokRoasts) December 15, 2023
There’s a little Karen inside of us all.
— Layla Lou (@LaylaFabu) December 15, 2023
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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