Malta’s History and Musk’s Tweets

Some places carry their history like a burden, using it to justify division, while others wear it like armor, drawing strength from every chapter of their past. Malta belongs to the latter. Despite being conquered, invaded, and ruled by a revolving door of empires, it has emerged as one nation that has embraced its complex heritage to build resilience and unity. Maltese people discuss their history, including its prosperous times and bitterness. They acknowledge their weaknesses and differences. Yet, they cherish all of it and are proud of how that history shaped them. 

Contrast this with today's digital battlegrounds, where history is no longer a source of wisdom but a manipulation tool. Few understand this better than Elon Musk, whose social media influence has turned historical narratives into weapons of division. Whether through selective framing, revisionist spins, or provocative takes designed to inflame, Musk’s approach taps into almost every single cognitive bias—negativity bias, confirmation bias, and tribalism. His method is simple: history, stripped of nuance, becomes a tool to polarize, manufacture outrage, and drive engagement.

This is not just a question of interpretation—it’s one of psychology and behavior. Malta shows us how history fosters social cohesion and long-term resilience when merged into a shared identity. Musk’s digital provocations, on the other hand, demonstrate how history can be exploited to deepen ideological fractures. In an era where misinformation spreads faster than truth, understanding the science behind how we engage with history is more important than ever. Do we use it to build a stronger collective identity, or do we allow it to be hijacked for division? Malta has answered this question. The rest of us must decide.

Malta: A Case Study in Historical Resilience and Social Cohesion

Malta’s history is a testament to the human capacity for integration and adaptability. Over the centuries, the island has been shaped by diverse rulers, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and the British. Instead of rejecting or erasing these influences, Malta has embraced them, creating a national identity that acknowledges its layered past rather than using it to fuel division.

The Maltese language itself is a reflection of this historical synthesis. It is a Semitic language with significant Italian and English influences, illustrating how cultures can merge rather than compete. Language is one of the most powerful psychological tools for reinforcing collective identity. By speaking a language embodying their history, the Maltese people internalize that their past is one of coexistence rather than conflict.

Malta’s architecture also serves as a physical manifestation of this unity. The medieval city of Mdina retains its Arabic influence alongside Norman and Baroque elements, a visual representation of history being preserved rather than rewritten. Valletta, built by the Knights of St. John, remains a city where European, Middle Eastern, and North African influences coexist. These constant, everyday reminders of Malta’s complex past act as a buffer against the psychological tendencies that push societies toward division.

Beyond cultural symbols, Malta’s history demonstrates how societies can respond to adversity. During World War II, the island faced relentless bombing from Axis forces, yet instead of fracturing, the people of Malta united, displaying an extraordinary level of national resilience. Psychological studies on post-traumatic growth show that communities emerging from collective hardship often experience a strengthened sense of identity and cooperation. Malta’s response to the crisis reflects this principle, as its people came together rather than turning on each other. This outcome starkly contrasts with societies where hardship leads to blame and polarization.

Elon Musk and the Weaponization of History

Compared to Malta’s unifying approach to history, Elon Musk’s engagement with historical narratives frequently exploits cognitive biases that fuel division. Social media, where Musk wields significant influence, is designed to reward engagement, and nothing drives engagement like outrage. This is rooted in negativity bias, a well-documented psychological tendency for humans to pay more attention to negative stimuli than positive ones. Musk taps into this bias by sharing controversial or revisionist historical takes, ensuring that his posts go viral, regardless of their accuracy.

Another key psychological mechanism at play is confirmation bias, the tendency for individuals to seek out information that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs while dismissing opposing viewpoints. When Musk presents history in a way that supports certain ideological narratives, he reinforces the cognitive echo chambers that dominate digital spaces. This deepens social fragmentation, as followers interpret history through a lens that validates their worldviews rather than challenging them to think critically.

Musk also capitalizes on social identity theory, which explains how people derive self-worth from their group affiliations. By framing historical events as battles between “us” and “them,” he activates the amygdala, the brain’s threat-detection center, which triggers defensive, emotionally charged responses. This reaction makes people more likely to engage in online arguments, further amplifying division and reducing the likelihood of productive discourse. 

Elon’s cognitive immunity is inflamed. This inflammation makes him refuse to listen to any opinion that might oppose his. At the same time, it prevents any internal review of his internal impulses and thoughts. His inflamed internal cognitive immunity makes him justify everything he does when it is against every fact we know. 

The Neuroscience of Unity vs. Division

The difference between Malta’s approach to history and Musk’s use of it can be explained through psychology and neuroscience. Unity-oriented historical narratives activate brain regions associated with empathy and long-term thinking, such as the prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex. These areas regulate emotional responses, allowing for complex reasoning and perspective-taking.

Conversely, divisive historical narratives trigger the amygdala, the brain’s center for fear and threat detection. When people engage with history in a way that presents one side as inherently good and the other as an existential threat, the amygdala becomes hyperactive, leading to increased aggression and tribalism. This biological response is why social media-fueled historical debates often devolve into hostility rather than constructive discussion.

Musk’s engagement tactics rely on these primal neural responses, whether intentionally or as a byproduct of the digital landscape. On the other hand, Malta represents a society that has learned—consciously or not—to keep historical narratives within the realm of reasoned, long-term thinking rather than impulsive emotional reactions.

The Call to Action: Using History to Unite, Not Divide

Malta’s history demonstrates that unity is not an abstract ideal—it is a psychological and behavioral reality that can be cultivated through deliberate engagement with the past. Societies that treat history as a shared journey rather than a battlefield of grievances are more likely to experience stability and resilience. Activists, educators, and public figures should take note of Malta’s approach, using history as a force for collective understanding rather than division.

Elon Musk’s influence, while substantial, does not have to be a model for how history is discussed in the digital age. Instead of allowing engagement-driven controversy to dictate historical narratives, there must be a conscious effort to promote critical thinking and nuanced discussion. The tools of psychology and neuroscience offer clear insights into how societies can resist division and build cohesion. Still, it requires a commitment to long-term perspective rather than short-term outrage.

In the end, history is not just about the past—it is about the future we choose to create. Malta’s example shows that history can be a source of strength when handled wisely. The challenge is ensuring that more societies follow its path rather than succumbing to the manipulations of those who seek to divide.