In many ways, the industries admired
most for their contributions to innovation have become utterly boring. Some of the best minds of Silicon Valley, a
region that brought utility to the internet and access to mobile computing for
millions, apply themselves to sell
advertising through services like Facebook and Twitter. Those who grew up enamored
with the prospects of exploring space now enter a workforce where the most
advanced space faring organizations rely on a soviet-era capsule to get people into
orbit- complete with mechanical knobs and computer screens that appear
unchanged from its inaugural 1966 flight. Those who wish to design the cars of
the future might also be disappointed to see companies using ‘sign and drive’
promotions as primary selling points - opportunities for a slightly less
miserable buying experience.
Companies led by Elon Musk, which include privately-held
rocket company SpaceX and electric car maker Tesla Motors, are among our best hopes
to reinvigorate innovation in America, and the intriguing story of their
founder is one characterized by risk, failure, vilification, and vindication. In
the book ‘Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future’, New
York Times tech reporter Ashlee Vance follows the journey of a man as he emerges
from a family of adventurers and a childhood filled with torment to become tougher
and more confident after a series of near catastrophic business failures. The authorized biography gives a deeper and
more honest portrait by meeting the people who feared, loved, loathed, and
admired a man emerging from Silicon Valley as a millionaire, and risking his
fortune on risky business ventures only to persevere as a billionaire.
In our own efforts to become better, biographies such as
these give us a tremendous opportunity to learn from the trials and
tribulations of others and apply them toward ourselves. Elon Musk joins figures such as the first century Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius in demonstrating the philosophy of stoicism and a commitment to finding moral and intellectual perfection. Here are a few examples:
Marcus
Aurelius
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Elon Musk
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On seizing the
moment…
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'The present
is all you have, and what you do not have, you cannot lose.'
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‘I expect our
revenue in ten years to be ten million dollars a day. Every day we are slower
to achieve our goals is a day of missing out on that money.”
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On ignoring
what people think…
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''Is it your
reputation that's bothering you? But look at how soon we're all forgotten.
The abyss of endless time swallows it all.'
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‘I will spend
my last dollar on these companies. If we have to move into [my wife’s]
parents’ basement, we’ll do it.’
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On remaining
focused through hardship…
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‘Concentrate
on what you have to do. Fix your eyes on it. Remind yourself that your task
is to be a good human being’
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Equity partner
Antonio Gracias “What he went through in 2008 would have broken anyone else.
He didn’t just survive. He kept working and stayed focused.” That ability to
stay focused in the midst of a crisis stands as one of Musk’s main advantages
over other executives and competitors.
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On emotion as
a poor servant….
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‘The things
you think about determine the quality of your mind. Your soul takes on the
color of your thoughts.’
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On the death
of his infant son “I’m not sure why I’d want to talk about extremely sad
events. It does no good for the future. If you’ve got other kids and
obligations, then wallowing in sadness does no good for anyone around you.”
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