Elon Musk: Debunking the Myth of a “Genius”
Elon Musk is often celebrated as one of the greatest innovators of our time. Founder of SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, and The Boring Company, he is seen by many as a visionary genius. However, a more critical analysis reveals a much more nuanced reality. Here are several reasons why Elon Musk may not deserve the genius halo often attributed to him.
Appropriation of Others’ Ideas
Contrary to popular belief, Elon Musk is not the original founder of Tesla. Tesla Motors was founded in 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. Musk joined the company in 2004 as a major investor and later took control, effectively rewriting history to position himself as the mastermind behind the company. Furthermore, many talented engineers and scientists are behind the technical successes of SpaceX and Tesla, while Musk often reaps all the credit.
Management and Working Conditions
Musk’s reputation as a manager is far from impeccable. Several testimonies from former employees of Tesla and SpaceX describe a toxic work environment, with excessive working hours and intense pressure. Allegations of harassment, discrimination, and failure to adhere to safety standards have also emerged. Shouldn’t a genius also excel in human management and create a healthy, productive work…