Elon Musk says he sympathizes with 'anti-globalization people' because the online world is too interconnected and could lead to a 'mind virus'

• Elon Musk says he sympathizes with "anti-globalization people" because "there's not enough isolation between countries or regions" online.
• A "mind virus" in the "meme sphere" could spread online rapidly, Musk said on Joe Rogan's podcast.
• "We need some kind of mind viral immunity," Musk said.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

As the coronavirus spreads across the world and exposes people to the harsh reality of an interconnected world, Elon Musk says we need to protect ourselves against another type of virus: a "mind virus."

Speaking on Joe Rogan's podcast released on Thursday, Musk said he sympathizes with "anti-globalization people" — but not because of trade policy, nationalism, or isolationism.

"There's not enough isolation between countries or regions" online, which could cause a "mind virus" to spread throughout the world, he said.

In the "meme sphere," Musk said, "a concept that infects people's minds" could spread easily, as people are connected online through social media and other platforms.

Misinformation and manipulation have become issues of concern for many on social media, as a video, post, or meme can spread around the world almost instantaneously. Megan Lamberth and Chris Estep of the Center for a New American Security argued in a recent opinion article for Business Insider that in addition to flattening the coronavirus curve, we need to flatten the misinformation curve, too.

"We need some kind of mind viral immunity," Musk said, to protect against a "wrongheaded idea that goes viral."

Rogan first interpreted Musk's comments as a possible virus that could spread through physical technology, but Musk clarified that he's concerned an infectious idea, a cult-like way of thinking, could spread.

Musk is known for his often strange and provocative statements, such as his comments that we are likely living in a simulation.

Watch the full interview with Musk here: