That Musk’s message was not a mistake is evidenced by the response Musk later added: “The truth rings out,” according to Musk. But not everyone agrees on that word “truth.” “It’s sad, but not surprising,” says virologist Marion Koopmans.
Musk with his megaphone
Koopmans’ Belgian colleague Marc Van Ranst says that after Musk’s tweet appeared, he “immediately noticed the effect in the messages, emails and reactions” he received. And this while the threats – in the absence of corona – have become slightly older. “But now they’ve found a second breath to threaten scientists. Elon Musk assured this with his megaphone on his platform. It’s not fair.”
This is not how it should be. Van Ranst describes it clearly. Koopmans finds the situation on Twitter “bizarre”. “Some people seem to make threats almost their life’s work. It’s astounding.”
‘Everything can be called’
But Koopmans wasn’t at all surprised by Musk’s message. “I think it was already apparent where this gentleman is. He’s actually stalking some of the Twitter users, especially from the far right. I’m particularly struck by how little can be done about it. It can all just be called out.”
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, Koopmans has been one of the Dutch scientists who has had to put up with the hardest. All those threats, he tries to ignore them. But he cares too. “Worrying about how easily people pick on all kinds of individuals. Not just scientists, even journalists. It’s just bizarre.”
Acute threat
There are no figures on online threats against scientists or journalists, but according to the police it is abundantly clear that the number of threats in that area has increased enormously since the onset of the coronavirus. “It’s so easy to shout something on social media.”
But that doesn’t mean you can say something like that. Arrests have actually been made on these sorts of charges, a spokesperson says.
What can’t you call? An example: “If people say, ‘I’m going to your house now with a gun,’ we will act. We consider it a serious threat.”
Police visit
Very often there is no acute threat, the spokesman admits quickly: it is difficult to determine whether or not there is a criminal threat. In such cases, a report can sometimes prompt the police to take action.
However, this sometimes happens even more easily. It happens that the police pay a visit, to have a chat about why someone makes such threats. “Although not everyone is expecting it.”
Note Musk not punishable
The spokesman calls what Musk is doing on Twitter undesirable. “But it doesn’t seem criminal to me. It also fits the times, these kinds of statements are so common.”
Koopmans and Van Ranst don’t benefit much. One solution for them could be to disappear from the platform altogether. “I already have several colleagues who have done this,” says Koopmans. She will be alone for a while. Answering is the topic.
Van Ranst is of the same opinion. He stays too, but he can’t promise that he’ll never leave. “It’s not necessary right now. But I’m not married to Twitter.”
