15 Comments
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Unacceptable Bob's avatar

Musk is a fraudster who should be in prison.

Matthew Hoh's avatar

Not sure if you watched it, but I think it supports your thesis.

Unacceptable Bob's avatar

I read the synopsis for the book on the Harper-Collins website. I regard Muskism as the latest symptom of capitalism.

Putting these people in prison would clarify the situation for ordinary observers. (e.g. Elizabeth Holmes) Instead, they are placed on pedestals. Too wealthy to fail.

Matthew Hoh's avatar

If I recall correctly, that danger of too big to fail, too wealthy to fail, too important to fail, we spoke of.

Unacceptable Bob's avatar

I'll give it a listen when I wake up at 3 AM, as I usually do, unable to sleep. The topic of Elon Musk is not something I yearn to spend time on.

Matthew Hoh's avatar

I am sorry for your insomnia.

Unacceptable Bob's avatar

It's a normal part of the ageing process. My sleep pattern is a series of naps, usually for 3-4 hours.

Btw, I'm listening to your interview with Nima as we speak!

The Revolution Continues's avatar

Billionaires should not exist. Same for a trillionaire.

Unacceptable Bob's avatar

I listened to the interview, and find that Slobodian and Tarnoff are too focused on the man. Musk is not an engineer, technician, or even a competent manager. We live in a culture where the owner is given all the attention and receives all the credit, while those who actually do the innovating and the work are ignored. Musk's ideological world view is not unique. Western capitalist culture produces such men, so they are easily replaced. For all practical purposes, they are no more important to 'where we are going' than a mascot is to the success of a sports team.

You have to examine the system, which determines what does and doesn't get done. Spending trillions on developing data centers, while people don't have access to proper sanitation for lack of funding. These are skewed priorities and it's nothing new.

As for Musk's endeavours, the failures of SpaceX in heavy lift rocketry threaten the Artemis mission. Tesla is no longer a leader in electric vehicle technology. Meanwhile, the US has imposed a 100% tariff to deter imports of Chinese EVs. So much for having a free market.

The list of Musk's failed predictions on products he said were in development are an embarrassment. Solar tiles, hyperloops, cars in tunnels, robotaxis, electric trucks - there is a reason Musk is known as the vaporware king.

Matthew Hoh's avatar

I had forgotten about the hyperloop!

Dora Taylor's avatar

I have the sense that Musk cut Federal programs to ensure there was more money for him and his ventures with the US government. He is beyond disgusting.

Sherri Maurin's avatar

This was brilliant and truly unpacked so much of the Musk Maze! I will spread widely and listen repeatedly. Thank you, Matt!

Matthew Hoh's avatar

Thank you Sherri.

Ivan F. Ingraham's avatar

Nice!