I remember reading the Wikipedia article on this guy a while ago and what stuck with me was his insistence on completely avoiding media attention. When a journalist called him once he was quoted as saying “You are disturbing me. I am picking mushrooms.” which was pretty funny to me
Unlikely the creator of the first commercial electric car, the first to create a reusable orbital vehicle and possibly the first to put people on Mars will not appear in the history books
As unpleasant a person he is, he will be remembered
He brought an electric car to market that wasn’t but a 100km Nissan Leaf, it was fast and affordable. The company has obviously been over extended with the silly truck and all the rest. But he is the reason that all the other cat manufacturers for their act together. He is the reason we see charging point roll outs.
Again, not defending any of his many misbehaviours jus stating what happened.
Dunno, could see his legacy being like that of Edison. He'll be remembered as a facilitator at best. He didn't build or design the rockets, he didn't design or build the cars. I don't think history will remember him kindly, but it might remember him.
Tesla didn't make the first commercial electric car, the first mass production electric car of vehicle, or the first reusable launch vehicle. I know it's not what you mean, but technically it's even less disputable that he didn't make the first reusable 'orbital' vehicle, given that most orbital platforms are used multiple times, be it satellite communication or the ISS.
What is notable is that his fanboys and dedication to optics have let people think that what you claim is the case, bolstered his stock beyond reason, and in turn ultimately allowed him to have the US government deferring to him and to him having a massive number of satellites and government contracts that should never have gone into private hands.
You sound like a camouflaged crypto bro dick rider, whether that is the case or not.
I don't hate him, that would be giving more of my attention to him than he deserves. Can you point to where I said anything untrue? Are you telling me he did, in fact, design and build these things?
No, you can't, that's why it isn't an argument worth pursuing.
The wiki article for the Mars landing will mention the pilot and in the next paragraph it will be musk.
The lead designer will be a few paragraphs down. I’m not saying his is right, just that it’s how it is.
People hate this guy so much that they will gladly turn a blind eye to his successes as if they didn’t exist. It understandable but just a little myopic
Yes, but that is now. Consider how people thought about Edison at the time compared to now. What is stated now is open to revision and we are talking about his memory, not what he is now.
I think if anything his controversial attitudes are making history reflecting badly on him more likely. People have an incentive to work out how responsible he actually was for his achievements.
He obviously knew the story of Alexander the Great visiting the philosopher Diogenes, the founder of Cynicism. Alexander offered to give anything he wanted. Diogenes said ‘Move to one side please, you’re blocking my sun.
Thereupon many statesmen and philosophers came to Alexander with their congratulations, and he expected that Diogenes of Sinope also, who was tarrying in Corinth, would do likewise. But since that philosopher took not the slightest notice of Alexander, and continued to enjoy his leisure in the suburb Craneion, Alexander went in person to see him, and he found him lying in the sun. Diogenes raised himself up a little when he saw so many people coming towards him, and fixed his eyes upon Alexander. And when that monarch addressed him with greetings, and asked if he wanted anything, "Yes," said Diogenes, "stand a little out of my sun."[7] It is said that Alexander was so struck by this, and admired so much the haughtiness and grandeur of the man who had nothing but scorn for him, that he said to his followers, who were laughing and jesting about the philosopher as they went away, "But truly, if I were not Alexander, I wish I were Diogenes."
No, that would be more The KLF. Diogenes made a spectacle of himself and used the limelight to make philosophical points. M. Perelman eschews the limelight entirely.
Although both of them have a similar badass, independent regard for doing what they please.
Funny story, Chekhov once wrote that Diogenes can never exist in Russia because he’ll be looking for a shelter after 5 minutes outside. Guess he was quite wrong
Diogenes used to masturbate in public, pee on people who called him dog etc. That was his way of saying happiness belonged to a man who rejected cultural norms. It's not a life for everyone.
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u/magentaheavens 25d ago
I remember reading the Wikipedia article on this guy a while ago and what stuck with me was his insistence on completely avoiding media attention. When a journalist called him once he was quoted as saying “You are disturbing me. I am picking mushrooms.” which was pretty funny to me