Author Ben Mezrich discusses Elon Musk's impact on Twitter, the philosophies of Einstein-esque founders, and the effort to bring back woolly mammoths through genetic engineering. Also, explores Elon Musk's mistakes in managing Twitter and the reaction of meme stock traders to GameStop's CEO appointment.
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Quick takeaways
Elon Musk's controversial presence on Twitter has negatively impacted the site's advertising revenue and reputation, turning it into a financial burden.
Although Elon Musk's goal of colonizing other planets is commendable, his flawed decision-making, Twitter obsession, and alignment with conspiracy theorists have diverted his focus from his noble ambitions.
Deep dives
The downfall of Twitter under Elon Musk's leadership
Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter has been a disaster, resulting in a decline in advertising revenue and a devaluation of the site. Musk's obsession with boosting his own tweets and his disregard for free speech and moderation has alienated advertisers and caused a significant debt situation. The company, once near break-even, is now a massive money pit. Musk's retweeting of conspiracy theories and divisive content, along with his attacks on journalism and the mainstream media, has further damaged his reputation.
Elon Musk's grand ambitions and flawed decision-making
Elon Musk's grand vision of making humans a multi-planetary species and extending civilization beyond Earth is commendable, but his decision-making has often been flawed. His Twitter obsession and belief that he is the main character in a simulation have led him to take extreme risks and disregard criticism. Musk's inclination towards ego and craving for attention has driven him to align with conspiracy theorists and promote divisive narratives, leaving behind his noble goals.
The potential resurrection of the woolly mammoth and its environmental impact
Scientists, led by George Church, are working on resurrecting the woolly mammoth using CRISPR technology. This ambitious project aims to genetically modify elephants to possess woolly mammoth traits and repopulate the Arctic tundra with them. The goal is not only to bring back the species but also to create a natural feedback loop that lowers temperature and prevents environmental disasters caused by melting permafrost. While the timeline is uncertain, advancements in genetic engineering make this resurrection closer than previously thought.
Did Elon Musk break Twitter? Or did Twitter break Elon Musk?
Ben Mezrich is the author of “Bringing Down The House,” “The Accidental Billionaires,” “Dumb Money,” and, most recently, “Breaking Twitter: Elon Musk and the Most Controversial Corporate Takeover in History.” Ricky Mulvey caught up with Mezrich to discuss:
Twitter’s impact on Musk’s legacy,
The philosophies that drive Einstein-esque founders,
And the startup working to “de-extinct” the Woolly Mammoth.