This book is an authorized biography that delves into the life of Elon Musk, from his tumultuous childhood in South Africa to his rise as a visionary entrepreneur in Silicon Valley. Ashlee Vance captures Musk's journey through his various ventures, including PayPal, SpaceX, Tesla, and SolarCity. The book examines Musk's unique personality, his insatiable drive, and his ability to thrive through hardship. It also explores the broader context of American innovation and the challenges of global competition, positioning Musk as a contemporary amalgam of legendary inventors and industrialists like Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Steve Jobs.
In this autobiography, Henry Ford recounts his early life on a farm in Michigan, his fascination with mechanics, and his journey to becoming a successful businessman. The book covers his innovative approaches to industry and mass production, his views on business, wages, and social concerns, and how he applied his principles to various sectors beyond the automotive industry. Ford also shares his stringent and sometimes controversial views on life, business, and society[1][3][4].
What I learned from reading The Elon Musk Blog Series: Wait But Why by Tim Urban.
In the most recent 1% of our species short existence, we have become the first life on earth to know about the situation (4:38)
The total market for satellite manufacturing, the launches that carry them to space, and related equipment and services has ballooned from $60 billion in 2004 to over $200 billion in 2015 (8:41)
Here is what SpaceX does: it takes things to space for people for money. Here is what SpaceX really does: it is an innovation machine trying to solve one big problem. The astronomical cost of space travel (9:13)
For 1% we can buy life insurance (20:35)
Up until 25 years ago there had never been such a thing as a global brain of god like information access and connectivity on this planet (23:26)
Musk has said he doesn't care that much about your degree. Just raw talent, personality, and passion for the SpaceX mission (31:21)
For domestic launches the ULA charges the government and the US taxpayer $380 million per launch. For a similar launch, the US government pays SpaceX $133 million (40:14)
Life has to be about more than just solving problems. There have to be things that inspire you. (45:55)
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