不過，推特目前正投入大量成本開發多種訂閱制功能，包含讓一般用戶可升級解鎖的「Twitter Blue」，以及類似小額贊助網紅「抖內（donate）」制度的「Super Follower」身份。由於這兩項功能尚在測試中，推特用戶是否甘心掏錢、如願扛起推特的營收，仍是個大問號。
但若馬斯克成為新老闆，熱愛嶄新實驗且擁有技術背景的他，必然會帶來許多新氣象，例如應用區塊鏈概念，讓推特更接近去中心化的web3.0願景？加入虛擬貨幣或NFT的打賞形式？又或是重新定義動態牆演算法，讓「真相」可以被適當地傳播？這些改革若能在推特平台陸續成真，讓社群網路不再主要依靠廣告賺錢，或許可成為下個世代的平台新典範。
上述猜想固然說得很容易，不過馬斯克事務繁忙，他手上同時還有SpaceX、特斯拉、The Boring Company、OpenAI、Neuralink等多項事業要經營，還有餘力改革推特嗎？畢竟馬斯克再怎麼聰明也不是神仙，人的注意力是有限的，這樣會不會顧此失彼呢？
有趣的是，在馬斯克坦言想買下推特那天，特斯拉股票盤中一度下跌3%，原因正是投資人害怕馬斯克短期內只會注意「新玩具」，忘了好好發展特斯拉，還可能為了籌得430億美元鉅額資金，而釋出特斯拉持股。（延伸閱讀：特斯拉Model Y是市面上最好的汽車嗎？）
另外，馬斯克反覆提到的「言論自由」，也是說起來容易做起來難。平台上用戶數量大，發布言論千奇百怪，這才是輿論的真實呈現。如何在言論自由與維持平台環境中取得平衡，是許多網路及傳播學者都難以解釋的問題，除非徹底改善平台技術與邏輯，否則保障「言論自由」恐將淪為口號，譬如運用去中心化技術的影音平台LBRY，就是以區塊鏈共享開源內容的例子。
總歸來說，馬斯克既然已經表態、準備完全接手推特，此舉將如何改變推特的體質與技術，甚至進而翻轉社群媒體既有玩法，都是未來可以期待的方向。不過話先別說得太早，或許馬斯克連推特私有化這一步都會走得舉步維艱呢！畢竟狂人的思維，可不是每一位董事與股東都可以認同、服從的呢。
Twitter接受馬斯克購併聲明全文
Twitter, Inc. (NYSE: TWTR) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by an entity wholly owned by Elon Musk, for $54.20 per share in cash in a transaction valued at approximately $44 billion. Upon completion of the transaction, Twitter will become a privately held company.
Under the terms of the agreement, Twitter stockholders will receive $54.20 in cash for each share of Twitter common stock that they own upon closing of the proposed transaction. The purchase price represents a 38% premium to Twitter's closing stock price on April 1, 2022, which was the last trading day before Mr. Musk disclosed his approximately 9% stake in Twitter.
Bret Taylor, Twitter's Independent Board Chair, said, "The Twitter Board conducted a thoughtful and comprehensive process to assess Elon's proposal with a deliberate focus on value, certainty, and financing. The proposed transaction will deliver a substantial cash premium, and we believe it is the best path forward for Twitter's stockholders."
Parag Agrawal, Twitter's CEO, said, "Twitter has a purpose and relevance that impacts the entire world. Deeply proud of our teams and inspired by the work that has never been more important."
"Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated," said Mr. Musk. "I also want to make Twitter better than ever by enhancing the product with new features, making the algorithms open source to increase trust, defeating the spam bots, and authenticating all humans. Twitter has tremendous potential – I look forward to working with the company and the community of users to unlock it."
Transaction Terms and Financing
The transaction, which has been unanimously approved by the Twitter Board of Directors, is expected to close in 2022, subject to the approval of Twitter stockholders, the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.
Mr. Musk has secured $25.5 billion of fully committed debt and margin loan financing and is providing an approximately $21.0 billion equity commitment. There are no financing conditions to the closing of the transaction.
For further information regarding all terms and conditions contained in the definitive transaction agreement, please see Twitter's Current Report on Form 8-K, which will be filed in connection with the transaction.
First Quarter 2022 Earnings Results
Twitter plans to release its first quarter fiscal year 2022 results before market open on April 28, 2022. In light of the pending transaction announced today, Twitter will not hold a corresponding conference call.
Advisors
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan, and Allen & Co. are serving as financial advisors to Twitter, and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP are serving as legal counsel. Morgan Stanley is acting as lead financial advisor to Mr. Musk. BofA Securities and Barclays are also acting as financial advisors. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is serving as legal counsel.
作者來自NCCU，從科技媒體到數位行銷，這輩子應該離不開網路圈。其他作品詳見個人Medium
責任編輯/周岐原
