‘Orwellian’: Black Swan Author Criticizes Macron Over Durov
Nassim Taleb suggests that the French president's comments regarding the arrest of the Telegram founder should be viewed “in reverse.” Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Nassim Taleb suggests that French President Emmanuel Macron’s remarks regarding the arrest of Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov should be understood as the opposite of their apparent meaning.
On Monday, Macron took to X to assert that Durov’s detention was “in no way a political decision” and part of an ongoing “judicial investigation.” He emphasized France's commitment to “freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship.”
Nonetheless, the French leader noted that “in a state governed by the rule of law, freedoms are upheld within a legal framework” and emphasized that “it is up to the judiciary, in full independence, to enforce the law.”
In response to Macron's comments, Taleb remarked that “every word he wrote must be interpreted in reverse,” characterizing the president's statement as “Orwellian.” He further elaborated, “Expecting a Hegelian state to safeguard liberty is akin to trusting a bordello owner to promote chastity.”
Durov's arrest has also prompted strong reactions from other notable figures. Billionaire Elon Musk, journalist Tucker Carlson, and Silicon Valley investor David Sacks have all condemned the action as a direct assault on free speech. Additionally, Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom has called for a total boycott of all things French, urging people to refrain from purchasing French goods or traveling to the country until Durov is released.
Durov, who holds citizenship in Russia, France, the UAE, and St Kitts and Nevis, was taken into custody on Saturday at a Paris airport after arriving on a private jet from Azerbaijan. French prosecutors have stated that his arrest is part of a larger investigation into allegations of child pornography, drug trafficking, fraud, and other crimes purportedly facilitated through Telegram.
Reports indicate that Durov is under investigation for allegedly failing to cooperate with law enforcement and for inadequate moderation of the platform. Telegram, for its part, maintains that it has adhered to all EU regulations, including the Digital Rights Act and sanctions against Russia, and described claims of responsibility for the misuse of the application by ill-intentioned users as “absurd.”
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
On Monday, Macron took to X to assert that Durov’s detention was “in no way a political decision” and part of an ongoing “judicial investigation.” He emphasized France's commitment to “freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship.”
Nonetheless, the French leader noted that “in a state governed by the rule of law, freedoms are upheld within a legal framework” and emphasized that “it is up to the judiciary, in full independence, to enforce the law.”
In response to Macron's comments, Taleb remarked that “every word he wrote must be interpreted in reverse,” characterizing the president's statement as “Orwellian.” He further elaborated, “Expecting a Hegelian state to safeguard liberty is akin to trusting a bordello owner to promote chastity.”
Durov's arrest has also prompted strong reactions from other notable figures. Billionaire Elon Musk, journalist Tucker Carlson, and Silicon Valley investor David Sacks have all condemned the action as a direct assault on free speech. Additionally, Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom has called for a total boycott of all things French, urging people to refrain from purchasing French goods or traveling to the country until Durov is released.
Durov, who holds citizenship in Russia, France, the UAE, and St Kitts and Nevis, was taken into custody on Saturday at a Paris airport after arriving on a private jet from Azerbaijan. French prosecutors have stated that his arrest is part of a larger investigation into allegations of child pornography, drug trafficking, fraud, and other crimes purportedly facilitated through Telegram.
Reports indicate that Durov is under investigation for allegedly failing to cooperate with law enforcement and for inadequate moderation of the platform. Telegram, for its part, maintains that it has adhered to all EU regulations, including the Digital Rights Act and sanctions against Russia, and described claims of responsibility for the misuse of the application by ill-intentioned users as “absurd.”
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
