For years, Elon Musk played the part of the unstoppable force — a walking, talking tech-industrial complex with the audacity of Tony Stark, the stubbornness of Howard Hughes, and the public relations finesse of a blender on “liquefy.” He rocketed Tesla to dominance, bullied his way into space travel, turned Twitter into
The Terminator parallel is perfect--Musk is exactly like some other humans (thankfully rare) who are unable to feel a shred of empathy; for instance, concentration camp guards, hedge-fund managers, serial killers, and, of course, programmed mechanical assassins created by other machines.
Thanks for trying to inject a sense of hope into the whirling doomsday machine that is Elon Musk... Sadly though, for all of us, I think Musk fits into--is actually the symbol of--a gambler who plays to lose. He keeps betting more, risking more, doubling and tripling down on every desperate wish and impulse that bubbles from his teeming gut into his feverish brain. He can't STOP--whether he's programmed to do it (or because he's twisted in some deep psychological way) gambling with his-- and now OUR--chips... And he won't STOP 'till the rest of us can drag him away from the craps table that Trump and he (Musk) have made of the American economy.
Your take on Elon seems a bit optimistic. He is a sick man who protects himself by abusing his 4 year old son yachting him to disrespect others and using him as a shield to protect himself. His behavior makes it seem he is unhinged.
I think a ketamine-addled sociopath plans to destroy the United States government, from Constitution to Congress to Courts, and replace it all with something out of a Gen X dystopian computer game in which those people allowed to live work in gated, walled megacorporation yards. The ignorance of the American people - the appalling, shocking ignorance - and the ignorance of the tech world about the real world has brought us here.
Sadly, though, too literary for the creature in question, as Elon Musk has no feeling for elegant literary dénouements…to say nothing of common sense as it might manifest itself in any sort of self-awareness.
When the threads of musk's dénouement come together there will no self awareness on his part. He will simply collapse under the weight of his own hubris.
I know a bit about autism, and I despise the business of pathologizing anyone. Becasue what is now called autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is almost certainly partially genetic, and very much a physical difference in neural density and behavior-the term neurodiverse is accurate and non judgmental.
If 95 % of the people on the planet were wired that way, ASD would be neurotypical and everyone else would be neurodiverse.
So just some context.
To the extent Musk's self proclaimed status as autistic is accurate, it helps to understand tht self-awareness and awareness of other's feelings and realities are not part of the equation.
Don't get me wrong, this is not an easy path. Being chronically misunderstood, bullied and often having semi-delusional ideas about self grandeur are fairly common in my experience. Having such a dysfunctional family and possibly narcissistic father doesn't help. So of course he decries empathy b/c that is not part of the make up. (See"theory of mind .")
Of course he spends hours a day in his self-referential bubble. Sadly, the best chance we have for him to leave the scene is that he has a meltdown ("Autonomic storm" ) and a fades away from public life, which is safer. I'd feel sorry for him if he weren't so toxic and dangerous.
No doubt millions agree with you. It is difficult to believe that Ford, GM, and Stellantis/Chrysler will not eventually overwhelm Tesla. Some time in the future BYD will arrive and then the show will be over. Musk's wealth is nothing more than the confidence he can inspire on the stock exchanges. When that confidence collapses, he is done.
Oh, I thought you were going to say that he launches himself in a SpaceX rocket to free the stuck astronauts (what happened to THEM?), succeeds, but then stays in space to get pelted by cosmic rays as they return, becoming one with the heavens.
Yeah, it's been awhile since we've heard him bleating about how they're being held hostage on the ISS for political reasons and he's going to save them. That must have occurred during a lull in the Great Government Department Massacre.
I truly believe that Elmo cannot reflect on his actions or introspect at all. In robo terms he can only move face forward, cant reverse or turn around. The design does not permit these movements/actions.
Why does he feel most at home among Indian American and white bois age 25 and under? Developmentally, he's likely even younger than 25 (more like 15) but since they throw gold crypto coins of respect Elmo's way amounting to hero worship, his narcissistic personality can hang with them even if they've
reached a more mature stage in young adult development.
An autistic, narcissistic sociopath devoid of empathy turn to genteel philanthropy? You're joking - right?
Great writing!
The Terminator parallel is perfect--Musk is exactly like some other humans (thankfully rare) who are unable to feel a shred of empathy; for instance, concentration camp guards, hedge-fund managers, serial killers, and, of course, programmed mechanical assassins created by other machines.
Thanks for trying to inject a sense of hope into the whirling doomsday machine that is Elon Musk... Sadly though, for all of us, I think Musk fits into--is actually the symbol of--a gambler who plays to lose. He keeps betting more, risking more, doubling and tripling down on every desperate wish and impulse that bubbles from his teeming gut into his feverish brain. He can't STOP--whether he's programmed to do it (or because he's twisted in some deep psychological way) gambling with his-- and now OUR--chips... And he won't STOP 'till the rest of us can drag him away from the craps table that Trump and he (Musk) have made of the American economy.
Any thoughts on a nonviolent tax revolt, guys?
It’s the only thing that would help that I don’t see on the schedule already.
https://open.substack.com/pub/noelkeith/p/tranquil-piece-of-mind-vol-2-no-9?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Your take on Elon seems a bit optimistic. He is a sick man who protects himself by abusing his 4 year old son yachting him to disrespect others and using him as a shield to protect himself. His behavior makes it seem he is unhinged.
“seem”!?!?!?!?!?
I think a ketamine-addled sociopath plans to destroy the United States government, from Constitution to Congress to Courts, and replace it all with something out of a Gen X dystopian computer game in which those people allowed to live work in gated, walled megacorporation yards. The ignorance of the American people - the appalling, shocking ignorance - and the ignorance of the tech world about the real world has brought us here.
So, so appetizing!
Sadly, though, too literary for the creature in question, as Elon Musk has no feeling for elegant literary dénouements…to say nothing of common sense as it might manifest itself in any sort of self-awareness.
When the threads of musk's dénouement come together there will no self awareness on his part. He will simply collapse under the weight of his own hubris.
That said (or typed), the image of Musk lowering himself into molten steel is glorious!
How optimistic!
I know a bit about autism, and I despise the business of pathologizing anyone. Becasue what is now called autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is almost certainly partially genetic, and very much a physical difference in neural density and behavior-the term neurodiverse is accurate and non judgmental.
If 95 % of the people on the planet were wired that way, ASD would be neurotypical and everyone else would be neurodiverse.
So just some context.
To the extent Musk's self proclaimed status as autistic is accurate, it helps to understand tht self-awareness and awareness of other's feelings and realities are not part of the equation.
Don't get me wrong, this is not an easy path. Being chronically misunderstood, bullied and often having semi-delusional ideas about self grandeur are fairly common in my experience. Having such a dysfunctional family and possibly narcissistic father doesn't help. So of course he decries empathy b/c that is not part of the make up. (See"theory of mind .")
Of course he spends hours a day in his self-referential bubble. Sadly, the best chance we have for him to leave the scene is that he has a meltdown ("Autonomic storm" ) and a fades away from public life, which is safer. I'd feel sorry for him if he weren't so toxic and dangerous.
Brilliant! I enjoyed reading your post.
What a visually vivid piece !! Nicely done ! Advance This Idea, maybe it will hit the spark needed. We can only have Hope !
No doubt millions agree with you. It is difficult to believe that Ford, GM, and Stellantis/Chrysler will not eventually overwhelm Tesla. Some time in the future BYD will arrive and then the show will be over. Musk's wealth is nothing more than the confidence he can inspire on the stock exchanges. When that confidence collapses, he is done.
Creative writing but I think you miss the point!
Musk is a Putin man!
He’s got a thirst for global power! He’s not interested in saving a goddamned thing! He’s in an evil partnership to destroy the USA!
Period!
Oh, I thought you were going to say that he launches himself in a SpaceX rocket to free the stuck astronauts (what happened to THEM?), succeeds, but then stays in space to get pelted by cosmic rays as they return, becoming one with the heavens.
Yeah, it's been awhile since we've heard him bleating about how they're being held hostage on the ISS for political reasons and he's going to save them. That must have occurred during a lull in the Great Government Department Massacre.
I like that scenario.
Good one, guys.
This is brilliant once again. “he wasn’t successful. He was inevitable.”
I truly believe that Elmo cannot reflect on his actions or introspect at all. In robo terms he can only move face forward, cant reverse or turn around. The design does not permit these movements/actions.
Why does he feel most at home among Indian American and white bois age 25 and under? Developmentally, he's likely even younger than 25 (more like 15) but since they throw gold crypto coins of respect Elmo's way amounting to hero worship, his narcissistic personality can hang with them even if they've
reached a more mature stage in young adult development.