Join Ben Mezrich, author of "Breaking Twitter" and the mind behind hits like "The Social Network," as he dives into the chaotic world of Elon Musk's Twitter takeover. He explores the delicate dance of blending hard facts with fiction while dissecting Musk's influence on social media and free speech. The conversation takes a playful turn when the trio brainstorms ideal actors to portray Musk in film, weighing in on options from Vince Vaughn to a surprise character from 'Succession.' Expect sharp insights and entertaining banter!
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Breaking Twitter Movie
Ben Mezrich's book Breaking Twitter has been optioned by MGM.
The book details Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter and its aftermath.
insights INSIGHT
Elon Before and After Twitter
Mezrich believes Walter Isaacson's biography missed the transformation of Elon Musk.
He argues Musk's Twitter takeover marked a significant shift in his public persona.
insights INSIGHT
Babylon Bee Incident
Elon Musk's Twitter purchase was partly motivated by the Babylon Bee's suspension.
The Babylon Bee's trans joke suspension angered Musk, fueling his "woke mind virus" narrative.
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Dumb Money: Adventures of a Day Trader is a book that delves into the world of day trading, using the daily routines of traders as its narrative structure. Written by Joey Anuff and Gary Wolf, the book provides insights into the brutally competitive and often unpredictable environment of the stock market. It captures the highs and lows of day trading, offering a unique perspective on this high-stakes activity.
The Accidental Billionaires
The Founding of Facebook, a Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal
Ben Mezrich
The Accidental Billionaires tells the captivating story of how Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin, two socially awkward Harvard students, created Facebook. The book explores themes of genius, betrayal, and the impact of success on relationships. It is based on real events but includes speculative elements, as Mark Zuckerberg did not participate in the book's creation. The story was adapted into the film 'The Social Network'.
Breaking Twitter
Ben Mezrich
Elon Musk
Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future
Ashlee Vance
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.
What does a dramatic narrative nonfiction account of a dramatic tech CEO look like? To find out, we turn to Ben Mezrich, the author whose books have been adapted to films like 21,The Social Network, and Dumb Money. His latest, Breaking Twitter, has already been optioned by MGM.
In this conversation: Ben’s process for blending hard facts with informed speculation, Kara’s advice for dealing with the tech titan, and predictions about Linda Yaccarino’s fate. Oh, also a brainstorm about who should play Elon on the big screen: Kara envisions a classic Vince Vaughn type, Nayeema picks Brendan Fraser, and Ben throws in a Succession character — but *not* the one you’d expect!
Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on social media. We’re on Instagram/Threads as @karaswisher and @nayeemaraza
On with Kara Swisher 
