Elon Musk promotes controversial "high-status males" theory on X, sparks backlash

Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), has once again stirred controversy by promoting a theory that advocates for a "Republic" led exclusively by "high-status males."

The theory, originally shared on 4chan in 2021, claims that only men with high testosterone levels and "aneurotypical people" possess the ability to think freely and objectively. It argues that women and men with lower testosterone levels process information through a "consensus filter" as a safety mechanism, hindering independent thought.

Musk's repost of the theory, accompanied by the comment "Interesting observation," has drawn widespread criticism. Critics argue that the theory perpetuates harmful stereotypes about gender and promotes an exclusionary vision of society. Many view it as sexist, unrealistic, and "toxic," aligning with ideologies often found in alt-right communities.

The post originated from an account known for sharing right-wing memes and supporting Musk's endeavors. The account framed the theory as the "Reich effect," a reference to Robert Reich, a vocal critic of Musk, who recently called for more regulation of X.

This isn't the first time Musk has shared controversial content on his platform. He has consistently defended his stance on allowing such content as part of "free speech," even when it includes misinformation. This has led to real-world consequences, such as X being blocked in Brazil for failing to comply with orders to block accounts accused of spreading fake news.