A Portrait of a Self-Made and Emotionally Volatile Leader
Walter Isaacson’s latest book, titled “Elon Musk,” offers a revealing look into the life of the temperamental CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and the company formerly known as Twitter. Musk, already a well-known figure in American corporate life, is portrayed as a self-made entrepreneur from South Africa with a tumultuous relationship with his father and a penchant for self-inflicted crises.
Described as tormented, erratic, and rude, Musk’s moods cycle between light and dark, intense and goofy, and detached and emotional. People around him even refer to his extreme states as “demon mode.” Isaacson draws parallels between Musk and his estranged father, who shares similar volatile behaviors and conspiracy theories.
Musk’s lack of empathy is evident throughout the book, with instances such as whispering to his first wife, “I am the alpha in this relationship,” during their wedding dance. He has accused journalists of “killing people” and even expressed a desire for his brother’s restaurants to fail, stating, “I think they should die.”
The Question of Justification
Isaacson explores the question of whether Musk’s audacious goals, such as decarbonizing the auto industry and saving humanity from extinction, excuse his troublesome behavior and poor treatment of others. While Isaacson concludes that they do not, he also acknowledges that sometimes great innovators are risk-seeking individuals who can be reckless and even toxic.
The Turning Point: 2018 and Musk’s Pandemic Evolution
The year 2018 was a turning point in Musk’s public perception, with incidents such as tweeting that a rescue diver in Thailand was a “pedo guy” and smoking marijuana on a podcast. Behind the scenes, Musk faced personal struggles, including his father’s relationship with his stepdaughter and a tumultuous relationship with actor Amber Heard.
The summer of 2017 through the fall of 2018 is described as the most challenging period in Musk’s life, as he oscillated between depression, stupor, giddiness, and manic energy. The “production hell” at Tesla, where the company’s survival hinged on meeting production targets, added to his stress.
Musk’s personal turmoil took a political turn when his daughter underwent a gender transition, leading to their estrangement. Musk blamed her progressive education for her decision and developed a disdain for “woke” culture.
Musk’s Obsession with First Principles
The book highlights Musk’s obsession with “first principles,” which include goals like getting humans to Mars and avoiding AI dictatorship. Isaacson provides insights into Musk’s views from his peers in the space industry, including a heated argument with Google’s Larry Page about the dangers of artificial intelligence.
Bill Gates also challenges Musk’s priorities, suggesting that eradicating mosquitoes should be a priority over Mars colonization. Musk, however, believes his wealth is better spent on his companies aimed at saving humanity.
Mistakes and Controversies
The book delves into Musk’s controversial tweets, including one that implicated Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s husband in a fight with a male prostitute. Musk later admitted it was a mistake, acknowledging the criticism from his brother, who deemed it “weird s—.” The emerald mine controversy, often used to criticize Musk’s success, is debunked, with Isaacson stating that Elon did not inherit wealth from his father’s emerald business.
The book also addresses the recent controversy surrounding Musk’s intervention in the Russian-Ukrainian war. It was initially reported that Musk had acted at the behest of the Russian government, but a correction clarified that he did not enable coverage for a Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian fleet.
Book Club Event
Walter Isaacson will participate in an event hosted by the L.A. Times Book Club to discuss “Elon Musk” on October 1st. The event will provide an opportunity to delve deeper into the fascinating life of this influential entrepreneur.