Elon Musk's ex-girlfriend and mother of his three children calls social media 'Poison', says: OK, I've basically been entirely off ...

In a scathing reflection, Claire Boucher , known as Grimes and Elon Musk’s former partner, described social media as “a poison - a prison of utterly short form deep sounding nonsense.” Her words cut through the digital noise, exposing the hollow core of platforms that dominate modern life. Grimes’ critique, born from stepping away and returning to the online world, reveals a troubling truth: social media often masquerades as meaningful connection while delivering little more than fleeting, superficial distractions. Her words, raw and unfiltered, cut through the glossy veneer of platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, exposing a troubling reality about the digital age.

Elon Musk and Grimes have been blessed with three children throughout the course of their on-and-off relationship. According to People.com, Tesla CEO and singer Grimes were first linked in 2018, and welcomed their first child, son X Æ A-Xii, two years later in May 2020. The former couple went on to quietly have two more children, including daughter Exa Dark Sideræl via surrogate in December 2021, and son Techno Mechanicus in June 2022.

Grimes trashes social media as 'poison'
Grimes’ observation that social media is a “theatre” and a “shitty pale simulacra of a life” resonates in an era where curated posts and viral soundbites shape perceptions. The platforms thrive on brevity—140 characters, 15-second videos, or pithy quotes—designed to hook attention but rarely sustain deeper understanding. This “short form deep sounding nonsense” mimics profundity, offering dopamine hits without substance. Users scroll through an endless feed, mistaking consumption for learning, only to discard most of it moments later. The brain, overwhelmed, craves more, trapping users in a cycle of distraction.

The “poison” Grimes describes lies in how these platforms distort reality. Social media amplifies performative personas, where authenticity is sacrificed for likes and followers. It’s a prison of comparison, where curated lives fuel insecurity and polarization. Grimes’ critique also hints at a deeper loss: Genuine human connection. Social media, meant to unite, often isolates, replacing real-world interactions with a “simulacra” of community.

Studies, like those from Pew Research (2023), show social media use correlates with increased anxiety and reduced attention spans, validating her point. Yet, billions remain tethered, unable to break free from the algorithm’s grip.

Stepping back, as Grimes did, reveals the theater for what it is -- a stage of fleeting illusions. Breaking free requires recognizing the poison and choosing a life less scripted, more real.