The Gray Area with Sean Illing

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Jill Lepore on Elon Musk's imaginary world

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Dec 6, 2021

Guest

Jill Lepore

In this engaging discussion, historian Jill Lepore, a Harvard professor and host of The Evening Rocket, analyzes Elon Musk's influence on modern capitalism, coining the term 'Muskism.' She explores the intertwining of science fiction with Musk's ambitions, questioning his status as a futurist. The conversation delves into space travel’s allure for the wealthy and critiques the disconnect between elite pursuits and everyday social issues. Lepore also reflects on the political implications of Musk’s ventures and the pressing need for accountability in the age of privatized exploration.

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INSIGHT

Muskism: Extreme Capitalism

Muskism, as Lepore calls it, is a political economy influenced by science fiction visions.
It's an extreme, speculative form of capitalism with ethereal products and antiquarian ideas disguised as futurism.

insights

INSIGHT

The Feudalism of Muskism

Muskism represents an extreme, plutocratic form of capitalism with feudalistic elements.
It's not a new economic vision but a self-mystified, recycled ideology.

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ANECDOTE

Musk as the Product

Tesla's public relations strategy focused on promoting Elon Musk as the product.
Musk's carefully crafted public image, similar to political figures, has contributed to his cult-like following.

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Muskism: Capitalism and Celebrity

03:32 • 18min

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Elon Musk's Technological Utopia and Familial Legacies

21:58 • 3min

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Elon Musk: Legacy of a Technocrat

25:10 • 20min

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Beyond Traditional Sci-Fi: Real Lives Matter

44:45 • 4min

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Elon Musk's SpaceX Obsession: Exploring the Frontier

48:48 • 3min

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Space Exploration: Politics and Privilege

52:05 • 10min

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The machine

a hot team, a legendary season, and a heart-stopping World Series : the story of the 1975 Cincinnati Reds

Joe Posnanski

In 'The Machine', Joe Posnanski chronicles the 1975 season of the Cincinnati Reds, often referred to as the Big Red Machine. The book delves into the larger-than-life personalities of players like Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, and Johnny Bench, as well as other key team members such as Tony Perez, Davey Concepcion, and Ken Griffey Sr. Posnanski explores the team's dominant performance throughout the season and their dramatic World Series against the Boston Red Sox, particularly the epic Game 6. The book humanizes the players and provides insights into their motivations, struggles, and the team's overall dynamic under manager Sparky Anderson.

Sherlock Holmes

Charles Verral

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

This book includes a series of stories that follow the adventures and cases of Sherlock Holmes, a brilliant and eccentric detective. The stories are known for their intricate plots, clever deductions, and the dynamic between Holmes and his trusted sidekick, Dr. John Watson. The adaptation by Charles Verral may include simplified or abridged versions of the original stories.

Capital in the Twenty-First Century

Thomas Piketty

In this book, Thomas Piketty examines the historical dynamics of wealth and income inequality from the 18th century to the present. He argues that when the rate of return on capital exceeds the rate of economic growth, it leads to a concentration of wealth and significant social and economic instability. Piketty's analysis is based on extensive historical and comparative data from over twenty countries, challenging the notion that free market capitalism naturally reduces inequality. He proposes a global system of progressive wealth taxes to mitigate these inequalities and protect democratic values. The book is a groundbreaking work that reorients our understanding of economic history and the inherent contradictions of capitalism.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Mark Twain

Published in 1884 in the UK and 1885 in the US, 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' is a sequel to Mark Twain's 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'. The novel follows Huck Finn, a young boy who escapes his abusive father by faking his own death, and Jim, a runaway slave. Together, they embark on a perilous journey down the Mississippi River on a raft. Along the way, they encounter various characters, including con artists and feuding families, and Huck grapples with moral dilemmas, particularly regarding his support for Jim despite the societal norms against helping a runaway slave. The novel is a critique of pre-Civil War American society, especially its treatment of slavery and racial issues, and it has been praised for its realistic portrayal of boyhood and its exploration of complex moral themes.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy

Douglas Adams

The book follows Arthur Dent, an ordinary Englishman, whose house and planet are about to be demolished. He is rescued by his friend Ford Prefect, an alien researcher for the 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'. Together, they embark on a journey through space, encountering various characters such as Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two-headed, three-armed president of the galaxy, Trillian, a human woman, and Marvin, a paranoid android. The story involves their adventures on the spaceship Heart of Gold, which has an Infinite Improbability Drive, and their quest to understand the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything, which is revealed to be '42'. The novel is known for its humor, satire, and imaginative storytelling.

Mars Trilogy

Kim Stanley Robinson

The Mars trilogy, consisting of 'Red Mars' (1992), 'Green Mars' (1993), and 'Blue Mars' (1996), follows the settlement and terraforming of Mars from 2026 to 2212. The series explores the technological, moral, social, and political evolution of the Martian colony through the perspectives of a diverse cast of characters. It delves into themes such as the debate between 'Reds' who want to preserve Mars in its natural state and 'Greens' who advocate for terraforming, the formation of new societies, and the complex relationships between Earth and Mars. The trilogy is known for its detailed analysis of philosophical, political, and geological aspects of the Martian environment and its potential for human habitation.

Science Fiction and Mrs. Brown

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Ursula K. Le Guin

Ursula K. Le Guin's essay "Science Fiction and Mrs. Brown" is a critical examination of the limitations of traditional science fiction, particularly its tendency to neglect the experiences of ordinary people. Le Guin draws on Virginia Woolf's concept of "Mrs. Brown" to argue that science fiction often fails to engage with the complexities of human relationships and everyday life. She contends that a truly great science fiction must not only imagine fantastical worlds but also grapple with the realities of human experience. The essay is a call for a more inclusive and nuanced approach to science fiction, one that embraces the diversity of human lives and perspectives. It remains a significant contribution to literary criticism and science fiction studies.

Sean Illing talks with historian Jill Lepore about her new podcast: The Evening Rocket explores Elon Musk and the new form of extravagant, extreme capitalism — which Lepore dubs "Muskism" — that he has ushered in. They discuss the formative role played by science fiction stories, why the super-wealthy are drawn to space travel, and why, according to Lepore, Elon Musk is not much of a futurist after all.

Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), Interviews Writer, Vox

Guest: Jill Lepore, podcast host; professor, Harvard University

References:

Elon Musk: The Evening Rocket by Jill Lepore (Pushkin/BBC; Nov. 2021)
Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World, dir. Werner Herzog (2016)
The Mars Trilogy (Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars) by Kim Stanley Robinson (Del Ray; 1992, 1993, 1996; re-issue 2021)
Technocracy Digest issues on the Internet Archive
"Science Fiction and Mrs. Brown" by Ursula K. Le Guin (1976)
Elon Musk on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (Sept. 10, 2015)
Elon Musk's Neuralink demonstration (Aug. 28, 2020)
"Newt Gingrich trying to sell Trump on a cheap moon plan" by Bryan Bender (Politico; Aug. 19, 2019)

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This episode was made by:

Producer: Erikk Geannikis
Editor: Amy Drozdowska
Engineer: Paul Robert Mounsey
Deputy Editorial Director, Vox Talk: Amber Hall
Vox Audio Fellow: Victoria Dominguez

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