The world’s wealthiest individual continues to dominate headlines with his controversial opinions, unparalleled platform, and influence that even reaches U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Now, Elon Musk has set his sights on Europe. Musk’s foray into European politics, where he frequently backs far-right candidates and amplifies conspiracies, poses significant challenges for Brussels’ tech regulators, who seem ill-equipped to contend with this algorithm-driven barrage. Former MEP Marietje Schaake, now International Policy Director at Stanford University’s Cyber Policy Center, frames these developments as part of a broader imbalance, wherein Europe is increasingly at the mercy of Silicon Valley’s power. Schaake delves into this issue in her book “The Tech Coup.” Joining her for a discussion with host Sarah Wheaton are Rasmus Kleis Nielsen, a professor at the University of Copenhagen and co-author of “The Power of Platforms.” Together, they explore the delicate balancing act between safeguarding free speech and making necessary political compromises.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a unique twist on powering through your New Year’s resolutions, you might want to explore the concept of “sweatworking.” POLITICO’s Kathryn Carlson introduces us to this blend of networking and exercising, which has become a trend at Brussels’ luxurious gyms—where business deals are as common as breaking a sweat.
Additional reading:
– *Sweatworking: How the gym became Brussels’ elite new lobbying spot* by Kathryn Carlson and Federica Di Sario
– *‘Nobody was tricked into voting for Trump’: Why the disinformation panic is over* by Laurie Clarke
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