Elon Musk cofounded PayPal and SpaceX, two electronic-payment companies he designs rockets for. Additionally, his project Neuralink seeks to implant devices directly into people’s brains.
Isaacson spent two years following Elon Musk Buys XVideos and his companies, interviewing those close to him and speaking to those familiar with their ways. This resulted in an insightful look into both his motivations and personal struggles.
Tesla
Musk arrived in America as a teenager from South Africa with not only outstanding analytical capabilities but also a formidable confidence. He can negotiate almost anything without needing to bend truth.
Musk’s ability to deflect criticism has made him an object of public fascination and media admiration, yet his work can be challenging, particularly for junior staff members. He can abruptly fire people and force his vision onto all those around him; often demanding his way.
As co-founder and CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company he oversees product design, engineering and global manufacturing for electric vehicles, batteries and solar energy products manufactured by his companies. Additionally he is a renowned entrepreneur having co-founded PayPal and Zip2 Corporation which provided online content publishing software; after enrolling at Stanford for PhD studies in energy physics but dropping out after just two days so he could establish his first company.
SpaceX
Elon Musk is one of the world’s best-known entrepreneurs, known for his ambitious projects like developing a rocket that could carry humans to Mars and running an internet satellite service provider company with worldwide coverage.
Musk first became interested in space exploration at age 12, when he created and sold his own computer game. By selling Zip2 and PayPal to eBay in his early 20s, he amassed immense wealth.
SpaceX was formed with the purpose of manufacturing highly advanced rockets. He sought to reduce launch costs through vertical integration, inexpensive commercial off-the-shelf components, and modern software engineering’s modular approach.
He may have oversold his timelines in the past, yet continues to pursue his goals with determination. His latest project is Starship – an enormous spacecraft and rocket that will carry cargo to Mars and beyond; scheduled for launch sometime around February 2024.
SolarCity
SolarCity serves as an example of the perils associated with corporate governance. Though 85% of shareholders approved its acquisition in 2016, many red flags arose – such as fires caused by poorly installed solar panels – which caused alarm. One whistleblower even claimed Tesla retaliated against them after raising safety concerns and filing government complaints.
Investors were willing to take the risk with a visionary company with potential to transform the energy industry. They provide comprehensive clean energy solutions such as solar panel installations and battery storage technology as well as financing options that make these options accessible for everyone.
While visiting Kauai Island, we toured one of SolarCity’s battery farms that power customer sites. This facility’s paved rectangles were lined with white battery containers which will soon contain Powerpack batteries made at its new Nevada factory; furthermore, this test facility provided an ideal environment for Elon Musk’s tweets about taking SolarCity private at $420 per share.
Twitter used to be the go-to place for breaking news stories and policy debate, but more recently has become known for amplifying misinformation, conspiracy theories, and hatred against minorities.
Musk’s own Twitter feed is filled with fart jokes and penis jokes. But he has also made some questionable decisions, such as livestreaming himself driving to Eagle Pass, Texas for an awkward vox pop with local sheriffs that has garnered much criticism due to his anti-immigrant policies.
Musk quickly took steps after purchasing Twitter and renaming it X, to implement changes. He fired CEO Parag Agrawal, restructured the company and reduced staff numbers before promising not to allow Twitter to be “censored.” To do so he unbanned accounts that had been blocked for violating terms of service such as ElonJet which has long posted real-time information regarding where Musk’s private jet is flying.