The Musk-Zuckerberg Saga: From Business Titans to Cage Match Rivals
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Authored by Dana White, UFC President
Originally published on CageFight.VIP
Updated: August 15, 2023
Table of Contents
- The Genesis of the Feud
- The Explosive Catalyst
- AI: The Philosophical Divide
- The Twitter Battlefield
- Cage Match: A Modern-Day Duel
- Public Reactions and Social Media Frenzy
- What Lies Ahead
The Genesis of the Feud
Elon Musk, the owner of an eye-watering net worth of approximately $245.6 billion, and Mark Zuckerberg, not too far behind with an estimated net worth of $108.7 billion, have been engaging in a peculiar form of rivalry. Far from being limited to boardrooms or tech conferences, this dispute has escalated to the point where both magnates are considering settling it in a UFC Octagon.
The Explosive Catalyst
This out-of-the-ordinary enmity originated in September 2016 when a disastrous incident involving Zuckerberg’s $200 million satellite exploding during a pre-launch test on Musk’s SpaceX rocket set the stage. Zuckerberg’s expressed his “deep disappointment” via a Facebook post, blaming SpaceX for the fiasco.
AI: The Philosophical Divide
The discord festered over the following year, especially around the topic of artificial intelligence. Musk, a vocal critic of AI, has constantly warned about its existential dangers. Zuckerberg, on the other hand, took issue with such “doomsday scenarios,” branding those who propagate them as “irresponsible,” indirectly aiming at Musk during a public Facebook Live stream.
The Twitter Battlefield
The contention took a dramatic turn in 2018 when Musk joined the #DeleteFacebook movement following the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Not only did he remove SpaceX and Tesla’s official Facebook pages, but he also offered an apology — albeit a late one — about the satellite incident. The two billionaires continued their jabs on social media platforms, particularly Twitter, which Musk later purchased.
Cage Match: A Modern-Day Duel
When rumors circulated about Zuckerberg’s potential Twitter rival, Threads, Musk welcomed the competition with a daring tweet suggesting a “cage match.” Surprisingly, Zuckerberg took the jest seriously and responded with “send me location,” hinting at a UFC-sanctioned event. Dana White, UFC president, confirmed the seriousness of the proposed match, igniting the internet’s imagination.
Public Reactions and Social Media Frenzy
The public’s reaction was divided yet overwhelmingly entertained. From best-selling horror author Stephen King to self-help guru Jordan Peterson, celebrities and netizens alike have chimed in. Some found the proposition absurd while others thought it fitting for the bizarre zeitgeist of 2023.
What Lies Ahead
While it remains unclear whether the cage match will materialize, legal issues surrounding the Threads vs. Twitter battle loom. Regardless, both billionaires appear to be unyielding in their vendettas, be it in a UFC Octagon or a court of law.
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