Elon Musk on How to Build the Future

(www.ycombinator.com)

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djcooley ◴[15 Sep 16 21:09 UTC] No.12509856[source]▶

I have all the respect in the world for what Mr. Musk has accomplished, but it has come at an amazing cost to the people around him.

He is worshiped from afar but reviled by many the closer you get to his inner circle. Go read "Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future."

The question I always ask myself with the people who move mountains is what cost did that progress come at? What would someone's spouse, kids, friends, etc. say about the person?

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1. mikepk ◴[15 Sep 16 21:38 UTC] No.12510037[source]▶

>>12509856 #

"I admit that mathematical science is a good thing. But excessive devotion to it is a bad thing. If we evolved a race of Isaac Newtons, that would not be progress. For the price Newton had to pay for being a supreme intellect was that he was incapable of friendship, love, fatherhood, and many other desirable things. As a man he was a failure; as a monster he was superb." -- Aldus Huxley

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2. jsmthrowaway ◴[15 Sep 16 22:18 UTC] No.12510317[source]▶

>>12510037 (TP) #

In Mark Manson's new book[0] he talks about how humans can excel at very few things, often barely one, and that "being a good person" for lack of a better phrase counts as one. It seems obvious in hindsight, but struck me because I hadn't thought of it that way before.

(The book is incredible, by the way. I've already read it twice, just like Derek Sivers. Recommend it highly.)

[0]: https://markmanson.net/books/subtle-art

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3. biofox ◴[15 Sep 16 23:30 UTC] No.12510728[source]▶

>>12510317 #

I haven't read the book, but this doesn't seem to fit with what's known about general intelligence, nor the examples of polymaths from the renaissance period.

I suspect the causes are societal, from the constraints placed on our time and freedom to explore and become well rounded.

4. ◴[16 Sep 16 00:37 UTC] No.12511105[source]▶

>>12510037 (TP) #

5. thr0waway1239 ◴[16 Sep 16 05:27 UTC] No.12512029[source]▶

>>12510037 (TP) #

Counterpoint from the philosopher George Bernard Shaw:

"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."

6. imh ◴[16 Sep 16 05:41 UTC] No.12512070[source]▶

>>12510037 (TP) #

I don't like the implication that you have to choose between excellence/"supreme intellect" and niceness. It excuses all sorts of assholes who believe that about themselves. What's wrong with being someone like Terry Tao?

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7. kiproping ◴[16 Sep 16 14:34 UTC] No.12514272[source]▶

>>12512070 #

Who?

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