A #NYTimes review of the new Elon Musk book by Walter Isaacson.
"Walter Isaacson’s biography of the billionaire entrepreneur depicts a mercurial “man-child” with grandiose ambitions and an ego to match."
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/09/books/review/elon-musk-walter-isaacson.html
It’s all so pathetic isn’t it?
@LnzyHou I have friends who worked for Elon in the early years when SpaceX was first starting at the Cape. I've heard lots of wackadoodle stories about Elon.
He's the Howard Hughes of our time. I always told them to let us know when Elon started growing out his fingernails so we could send him off to the "home." I'm pretty sure he's just about ready for the straight jacket.
No question.
@WordsmithFL From the review it sounds like Isaacson is pulling punches, which if true would be regrettable.
@Satchelpooch I don't know how the reviewer would know if Isaacson "pulled punches." Speaking as an author currently writing a history book, we always have to make decisions about what to include. Even if we include something, an editor or publisher can take it out.
For example ... I interviewed someone who told me something unflattering a U.S. senator said to him. I've asked others in the meeting. No one else remembers it. Should I include it? Am I "pulling a punch"? Judgment call.
Isaacson believes that Musk wanted to buy Twitter because he had been so bullied as a kid and “now he could own the playground.” It’s an awkward metaphor, but that’s also what makes it perfect. Owning a playground won’t stop you from getting bullied. If you think about it, owning a playground won’t get you much of anything at all.