Elon Musk: Like a Starved Lion in a China Shop

There are three characteristics that I would use to define Elon Musk’s public persona. First, he has strongly self-motivated goals, in other words, very self-centred or selfishly driven goals. Second, he has a relentless strive for action with the sole purpose of getting closer to achieving his goals. Third, he follows the rules that are defined by the laws of physics and sees every other rule as a recommendation.

If we consider these characteristics one by one, there isn’t necessarily a problem, unless...

There is no problem with having selfish goals. It can become problematic when our selfish goals are the only goals, and when every other goal must serve these selfish goals. Plus, in Elon's case, these selfish goals are extreme when compared to the average human being’s goals.

There is no problem with doing. In a capitalistic society someone who always acts and on top of that does so in a "smart" or let's say business savvy way is rewarded, sooner or later, with money, and will be considered a valuable citizen. But did he really do good? Not necessarily, and that’s when it becomes problematic.

There is no problem with seeing the laws of physics as a rule maker. It only becomes a problem when these are the only rules you follow.

Elon Musk has identified a great strategy and working principles for achieving his goals, given the context he operates in. He defines his goals and reasons backwards. He says: Ok I want to go to Mars, that’s my goal. What do I need to do in order to get there? Money, people, rockets, technology, smart computers, no lawmakers that stop me, etc. You get the drill.

I actually believe his primary goal is somewhat different and goes more like: I want to be completely free, or I want to be respected, loved and admired or something similar, which is more of an intuitive and implicit goal rather than an explicit one. It's a good strategy to go to another planet, create your city and make your own laws to be completely free. Similarly, to be considered the one human that allowed humanity to be multiplanetary is a good strategy to be admired and loved by everyone that follows you to mars.

Whatever his motivations or goals are, the most important part is that they are selfish, primary, and in his eyes the most important goals, and everything else he does, follows from them or must submit to them.

That could become a problem.

Think as Elon as being a starved and hungry lion in the middle of a china shop surrounded by porcelain shelves. In the shop are pieces of raw meat hanging and laying around. What would the lion’s goal be? Eat the meat. A strongly selfish goal. But you wouldn't blame him. What would the lion do? Destroy the porcelain to get the meat. And he would continue doing so until he's not hungry anymore. Which rules would he follow? The rules defined by the laws of physics. Why? Because they can't be broken. Which rules wouldn't he follow? The ones defined by the china shop owner, of which the most basic one is not to trash the whole shop. Would the lion care? No.