Elon Musk Biographer on How the Tesla CEO Acts Behind Closed Doors | WSJ

Elon Musk, leader of companies like Tesla, SpaceX and X, is one of the most influential and unpredictable CEOs in the world. Musk’s biographer, Walter Isaacson, spent two years at the billionaire’s side learning about his life and leadership qualities.
In this full, extended interview with the Wall Street Journal, he shares an inside look at the Tesla CEO’s psychological struggles, his business strategies and what it’s like to experience his ‘demon mode.’
0:00 Musk’s multiple personalities
1:15 Access to Musk
4:26 Musk’s childhood and father
7:36 Musk losing his temper
9:58 Musk’s ‘demon mode’
15:17 Musk compared to Steve Jobs
17:32 Negative feedback and the algorithm
20:10 Musk’s geopolitical power with Starlink
23:33 Why Musk wanted to own Twitter
27:03 Will Musk turn into his father?
#ElonMusk #Tesla #WSJ

[@mariodemetriou1034]

Just watched this after watching the same interview on Lex Fridman’s podcast. There’s a stark difference in the interviewing styles. Some observations: 1. Lex gives it to us uncut. This seems as though there are segments that have been cut. 2. Lex’s approach seems non-judgmental and positive. WSJ’s seems negative/biased/agenda driven. 3. Lex makes it personal by giving anecdotes from his own life and asks deep and interesting questions about Walter’s life. WSJ strips the humanity out of the narrative by rapid firing through questions on Elon’s morality and sanity without asking questions about his achievements and the impact his companies have had/ will have on society. Hats off to Lex. I really appreciate his approach. Can highly recommend him to anyone who hasn’t heard of him!

[@black_squall]

Yeah I don't like excessive Elon nut hugging but the interviewer did focus on overly negative questions/discussions, which clearly shows a strong bias.

[@carnivore2023]

@@black_squall You are talking about mariodemetriou1034's nut hugging as an example I guess. This interview had nothing to do with being biased at all. The interviewer asked the right questions without nut hugging Elon as Lex did in his interview. Talking much about what he has achieved is totally pointless as that is something either people very well know about or can easily google. When you focus much on that as Lex did, is a typical example of nut hugging Elon. The only facts that are of interest, are how Elon behaves, treats people, his childhood and in general personal life. Talking about him making cars and space rockets is just nonsense in an interview like this. Talking about what impact Elon's cars, rockets and more have and will have on society is also of very little value in an interview about a biography of Elon. Or in an interview about Elon as a person in general.

[@tomcastle7625]

WSJ doesn't like Elon

[@EndoftheBlock7224]

Lex is definitely catering to people OTHER than his audience

[@misscogito9865]

I’ve noticed that too. The interview cut shown here, seems unbalanced and overly focused on his negative qualities.

[@Dubitz]

This interviewer keeps asking negative questions of Musk, and yet Isaacson keeps answering as neutral as possible while also complimenting Musk (and Jobs too) and giving credit where credit is due to them. Makes me appreciate Isaacson much more now, I definitely support his positive judgement of Musk after spending so much time so close to him.

[@gonzalezm244]

The interviewer has to represent a sort of devil’s advocate to get a broader discussion going. A lot of people antagonize Elon so it’s important to address those people’s concerns. I thought the interviewer was great!

[@programmer1840]

Agree, very annoying that he keeps asking negative questions with a pre-set agenda. That is a problem with a lot of society, they try to point out the negative aspects without looking at the net effect.

[@channelthechannel]

Interviewer couldn't be more transparent or predictable - WSJ is a joke.

[@seymourbutts4654]

People are way to senstive these days. They get their feelings hurt over a question .

[@Noobs4020]

Was going to write this exact thing, so desperate to paint a dictator personality and Walter shoots it down. Was a much better interview than I expected and that is only because of Walter.

[@narcisussstoicone2275]

What's the name of the interviewer? He got dribbled by Isaacson. The interviewer was trying to dig up dirt on Musk and negativity, but Isaacson never took the bait. Good one Walter Isaacson

[@nassitaheri]

wsj gets in demon mode whenever they hear the name elon musk

[@patriciazoerner]

You nailed it here!

[@Johnny_Savage]

NYT even more

[@georgepagotelis]

Elon is GOOD guy and WSJ are in fact the BAD JEALOUS guy. Chamath Palihapitiya IS the BAD guy with so many dodgy stock buys sells and misdirection, not surprised he's not locked up.

[@Daniela.777]

literally

[@djGREENmojon]

Why is that?

[@sylviaowega3839]

I read Walter Isaacson’s biography on Einstein and Ben Franklin, and found him to be one of the greatest biographers.

[@nikki2kk]

Oh! I’ll have to pick up the one on Einstein.

[@divinegon4671]

And why do you think that?

[@westerling8436]

The list kinda dropped down with Musk

[@kryptotippytoes2088]

“Demon mode” = clinical psychotic episode

[@Mock6.]

Also "Gen Z" Lingo

[@mfax1000]

Brutality honest. Enjoyed this book review.

[@wesleytietz4506]

Nothing brutal here. Facts don't care about your feelings...

[@lultimone]

I'm half way through the interview and I've heard only questions around the personality, demon mode and potential bad sides of someone that is making our history. I find this annoying and a waste of time

[@DREAMSANDSOUL]

Not "demon" but deeply traumatized as a child. This is so sad. I've been working many years in the IT industry and I can tell you, I would never ever work for such people again

[@jannichi6431]

Dell is so different than Elon. Hopefully Elon can find love and stay off Pharmas. He seems so much more sober than a decade ago when he was in StarLink mode. Twitter X is hurting Politicians careers too. MTG, Cruz, just a couple of addicts.

[@MarcoPolo-fy4qr]

Indeed.

[@BlondeManNoName]

@@jannichi6431 People with NPD and BPD can't accept love. They never do.

[@estebanamador7601]

​@BlondeManNoName in summary: if BPD is Bipolar Disorder, well I'm Bipolar, and trust me, I can accept love and give love too. I have OCD too, and my comfort zone is when I'm a rational and logical thinker (I like too call it my cold mode), but I could be in emotional mode too, but honestly, I'm too sensitive to emotions, they are so strong (mainly all emotions derived from empathy during suffering from other people (anxiety and sadness), so I go to cold mode to try to figure out with the person how to solve their problem, Im not very expressive, but that doesn't means I don't care about their problems, I'm just thinking how can be solved and how I can help them, and, depending of the kind of situation, many times I'm worried about them, or just listening to them and if i have too cry, well, i cry too. Greetings

[@susymay7831]

Its ok to be wrong, as long as you are not confident and wrong" - Elon Musk, giving one of his rules of thumb

[@telagraf]

Does anyone know what "not confident and wrong" means? I'm not fully understanding.

[@peter.g6]

@@telagrafIMO it means if you are confident that you are right, despite being wrong, there's a problem. In other words, the correct approach is to say "I think it's like this, but I might be wrong".

[@ct1762]

or just double-down and sue your opponent because your feelings are hurt- Elon Musk

[@ggrthemostgodless8713]

@@telagraf Think George W. Bush Jr.... that level of stupid and wrong, even when confronted with lots of evidence you continue to fight for that idea or way of doing things. I remember. It is also a level of ineptitude and thus incompetence that only a stupid person can achieve... in the movie Don't Look Up, with Leonardo DiCaprio, you see many examples of this, including the main character with the company that ends up being eaten by a dinosaur type in other planet.

[@jounigames5876]

It means it's okay to fail while genuinely trying. But if you boast about something, you better be correct@@telagraf

[@Jane-zv5pu]

Walter is an outstanding interviewer and biographer. He is intelligent, honest and empathetic. Well done, Walter!😊

[@madhououinkyoma]

Interviewee*

[@shanekennedy6549]

got the book straight away

[@famequesttv]

The greatest lesson that I was able to take away from his story is that your failures will be your greatest attribute and to NEVER give up. Elon’s story is truly inspiring.

[@bruno_dias]

If you're inspire by someone like Musk you're not inspiring to be a decent human being...

[@wisewolftony]

How is being born into a rich as family inspiring if it wasn't for that Elon would be a literal nobody.

[@programmer1840]

@@wisewolftony he said your failures will be your greatest attribute and to never give up are inspiring.

[@magicponyrides]

Elon Musk is a con artist who was born wealthy. Is that inspiring to you?

[@extremelyunfocusedman]

My inspiration is "don't lie" the very opposite of what Musk does

[@Wol747]

First class interview: balanced, respectful and thoughtful.

[@rpondyke2121]

That was an excellent interview.

[@madhououinkyoma]

Very good indeed. The interviewer was very knowledgeable but he did keep trying to paint a negative picture of Musk. Isaacson was stupendous. On point with answers and truly impartial with his responses!

[@andrewsaint6581]

​@@madhououinkyomaabsolutely right. I got a bit fed up with those questions actually about how hard Musk is, how horrible he treats people, how wild his decisions are. Not what gets him to be the richest most powerful 🤔 man in the world. Isaacson brings that out very well and tactfully. Who wants decaffeinated coffee, alcohol free beer or curry without chillies?

[@rollingthunderinho]

Walter Isaacson is an incredible author and speaker. Amazing interview I’m buying this book asap

[@stene123]

I read most of previous Walter Isaacson books (Franklin, Jobs, DaVinci, Einstein and Innovators) and they are brilliant. Now 1/3 read from this one and so far excellent book again. This guy has a skill to make topics like the history of computer science a interesting story you just can't stop reading.

[@cindymaceda2999]

Walter likes geniuses.😂

[@ShaneShepherd]

Wow, what a fantastic interview. I was on the fence about buying this book prior to seeing this interview. Now, is a musk-buy!

[@jannichi6431]

Musk-buy, he's making us all Musk Buy. NeoLink is truly scary. Control freak for sure.

[@david-fm3gv]

The WSJ would vilify Steve Jobs daily if he were alive and working and pushing Apple (uncomfortably, as always) to new heights still today. Their adoration for him here is ridiculous.

[@christophejeunot7155]

I am not sure Elon Musk cares about what people think of him. I sense his sincerity in all his projects.

[@bruno_dias]

Then that it is even more scary!

[@wengelder9256]

Or in his numerous personal attacks on people without any reason to do so ?

[@DocBree13]

you and I have very different views of him

[@christophejeunot7155]

@@DocBree13 It is possible that I am wrong.

[@jannichi6431]

He definitely cares. See NeoLink presentations to shed light on his power. Read first authorized bio. Can't say Austin doesn't "Love Elon".

[@glovere2]

It’s quite something to cultivate a reputation that allows the author into his subject’s lives to write books about them. After listening to Isaacson talk it’s easy to see why. He is so incredibly good at what he does and is very careful in the way he talks about it. I read the Jobs book and I will definitely be reading this one.

[@valentaino]

Exactly.. his new book is a real page-turner

[@therainman7777]

The Musk bio is fantastic.. Feels like you’re right there in the room or on the factory floor with Elon and co.

[@DivaAnnFisher]

I can state honestly that I am banned from tweeting on X. Why?

[@ositoguy]

Is actually really good, easy to get into, keep you wondering what's next and looking forward to get back into

[@ositoguy]

@@DivaAnnFisherthe book explains why things like this did happen

[@arthurmacalpine233]

I found the focus of this interview to be excessively negative. Every person has demons. Fewer people have the virtues of Elon Musk.

[@LVCMS]

The key line, don't try to be like Elon Musk. Be yourself!! Their is a huge sacrifice people on this level make... We all make sacrifices you just need to own what you do and how you do it. Everyone thinks you are crazy until you are right. Mistakes are done by people doing stuff, make no mistakes, likely your are not doing anything. I love the algorithm method... First principals... Question requirements. Love it

[@joeroganpodfantasy42]

Really appreciate WSJ including the dad's perspective in the end there.

[@Truthseeker371]

It's interesting to note the biographer insinuates the childhood experience lasts as long as we live. I cannot agree enough with his comment. Whether genius, villan, or ordinary persons, we all have some negative childhood memories, the dark side. How we deal with it changes our life in the adulthood. In the same token, the importance of upbringing is undeniable and affects not only the individual but also the society.

[@geoattoronto]

My job as a therapist is to know the methods that create real depth change in people’s lives and to use them lovingly and well. And I do.

[@AdamAuxier64]

"No one becomes insanely wealthy without some kind of personality defect"

[@masterq2.033]

So that's my aciliies heel , I'm just too sane !

[@skierpage]

"No one becomes insanely wealthy without starting from a family background that most people in the world would consider very privileged." Most of the billionaires in the world are the children of extremely rich people.

[@timbrooks7650]

We are a nation of entitlement ​@@skierpage

[@edward_lee]

Good interview! Well prepared with good questions

[@eastcoastmostwanted710]

Awesome interviewer. Real professional no small talk. Kudos

[@mrpepe1408]

Oke sheep 🐑

[@tb8827]

Indeed. I knew a female reporter that would hit on men both on and off camera. She needed this advice as well.

[@vikingthedude]

Hi it me@@tb8827

[@fugitiveminded]

Right, all he wanted to do was focus on negative perceptions like no matter how amazing you are let's focus on how you make some ppl feel. This what's wrong with society. You could build a utopia yet some will focus on you not being perfect.

[@BoudicasQuest]

i also struggle with cptsd. i overcame the worst of the effects by my mid-30's out of necessity. i still tend to "fawn" as my default. i still struggle with identity. all of this infuses my work, and each album i make reflects my...progress, for lack of a better term ~

[@DocBree13]

Now he has 11 children that will grow up with their own trauma due to having a mostly absent father.

[@charlesdinwyn7507]

Wow, one of the very best interviews I've ever heard. Well done!

[@skierpage]

It's an interesting perspective from someone who's got to know his subject, but good Elon Musk interviews are more interesting than this. Watch his interviews with Joe Rogan and Lex Fridman.

[@emr383]

Thank You. I also read the book. I do admire his writing skills and his humble spirit to share people's life and their lives in non- invasive ways. He has something of great value to people that he writes about..it is called unconditional respectful. He was very respectful of him; Elon Musk and his Families. Great work.♥️ proud of both! And it wasn't an easy thing. But. A Good Thing. Thank you to the interviews.

[@jannichi6431]

Always be kind. My computer tech friends and husband in pressure situations gave that advice early on, 1980s. High energy excitement.

[@oleston]

This interviewer is probably the most thoughtful and tactfuI I have ever seen. Outstanding.

[@skierpage]

Have you watched the best interviews and podcasts with Elon Musk himself?

[@SingleTrackMindState]

Interesting, I felt it was negatively focused. Isn’t it crazy how we all have opinions and they are so different. Have a great day!

[@maximusswagius7835]

​@SingleTrackMindState I agree with you, there was certainly a negative tilt in the interviewer's questions

[@antetesija3033]

What a nice and wellspoken man sir Isaac is

[@glorialush9598]

Walter Isaacson wrote a great book. I enjoyed it immensely!

[@brunosmith6925]

Your book is great Walter - mine got here yesterday and I read it cover to cover overnight...

[@gnanasabaapatirg7376]

wow

[@Conrad-qv9fh]

Growing up in Pretoria in the 1980s was much more complex than people generally think. There was a war going on. There were sanctions. There were many bomb threats. Sometimes bombs did go off. There was a lot of bullying going on. Once a week high school boys had to wear military uniforms and take part in military drills. All young men had to join the army after finishing high school or university. Elon was therefore exposed to high levels of discipline in school, but luckily avoided being drafted into the army when he left for Canada after finishing high school. Army conscription then stopped around 1991 anyway. The school system on the other hand looked out for smart, Aspergers kids to help solve future problems. Kids with Aspergers were seen as gifted, not disabled and encouraged to attend extra and advanced classes. There were many bursaries available for smart, hard-working kids to attend universities. Errol Musk might have been negative as many higher level jobs and opportunities were reserved for members of the (Afrikaans speaking) Broederbond, a type of Illuminati. Hy possibly just didn’t want Elon to have unrealistic expectations. The South African economy at that time consisted mainly of a few very large companies and small companies had to have the right contacts to get business. Sanctions limited scope to create the type of companies that Elon wanted to create. Canada and the US opened up possibilities.

[@karatsurba4791]

Thank you for the insights

[@AG-ig8uf]

Oh pohr Elon, all that suffering he went tru while being white minority in apartheid SA.

[@deborahsnow2420]

Excellent interview! I’m 1/3 through the book; absolutely love it.

[@larry6400]

I think the interviewer focused on the negative attributes of Elon too much, and the Author did a great job at trying to stop that being the focus of discussion. The whole thing felt like trying to make him look bad, without the balance of things that Elon does well, and has taught himself to do better. It was as if your enemy is trying to find out and share horrible things about you.

[@onemilliondollar]

As a person with Aspbergers, being Bi-polar and having a personality disorder I can for sure tell you this is the case with Elon, we share so many traits after hearing this man talking about Elon. It was like he was talking about me at times.

[@Zulu333]

What personality disorder do you have? Do you think Elon Musk could have a cluster B personality disorder? Narcissistic personality disorder? Or would you guess its more of a Cluster C personality disorder? Obsessive- Compulsive Personality disorder? I can see the Asbergers and Bipolar 2 thats for sure.

[@onemilliondollar]

I have what you call excessive personality disorder, in my youth I had antisocial personality disorder, but I took responsibility for my life and got downgraded. This can absolutley be the case with Elon as he always is 200% in I dont think he is a narcissist, I think its the aspbergers making him look like it, I have myself thought about narcisissm, but I have concluded it is my Aspbergers putting me in the center of my own world. It is verry hard to diagnose someone from seing them in clips on youtube.@@Zulu333

[@cindymaceda2999]

Mozart, da Vinci, Bill Gates all apparently had/have Asperger’s. It’s not necessarily a disorder but rather a syndrome. If you harness this super-power for good, how is it a disorder? 😅

[@pwn1966]

After listening to only half of this video I can honestly say that this man is the perfect biographer. Kudos to the interviewer for the great questions as well.

[@ninobach7456]

Walter Isaacson is great. I can also recommend his biography on Steve Jobs to those who haven't read it yet. Reading it felt like living through the rise of apple and all the tough situations that came with it.

[@programmer1840]

Interviewer seemed negatively biased in my opinion, asking "what's the angriest you've seen Elon get" not "what's the most surprising thing you've learned from his meetings".

[@susymay7831]

Great interview!!

[@fieryeagle9748]

Walter seems a very down to earth and humble guy, with no ulterior motives to write anything he doesn't want to. Being impartial at this level certainly makes the book very interesting and probably a must read for a lot of people who know very little about Elon and yet elevate him into a pedestal like a God.

[@clayskelton9557]

I’ve never heard of this man before, but that was the most noteworthy characteristic I observed listening to him here. Especially in todays divided political climate, it’s usually blatantly obvious that they’re pushing a narrative or have a bias, but I just got a genuine impartial feeling from him and it was honestly a breath of fresh air. I am going to order his book based off this interview and some of these comments. Glad to have come across this

[@perahauraki2985]

Mr Impartial that’s Walter Isaccson to a tee.

[@babybirdhome]

@@jonahamirYou haven’t provided anything objective either. So I’d suggest if you want your comments to be effective that you come down off your high horse and exhibit some of that objectivity you talk about.

[@davidtuer5825]

Which is more than you can say about the interviewer who was interested only in Elons !Dark! side. He spent most of the time saying things like, "but you were there in the room, how did the bloke (on the receiving end of Elons displeasure) react to being treated like that".

[@davidtuer5825]

@@babybirdhome My thoughts exactly!

[@juliaw7533]

It's a miracle the guy is alive. Anyone that can overcome what Elon has overcome does not live in fear. He is truely free. I love him. Nobody is perfect.

[@RAS0850]

I'm definitely gonna read the book.

[@kevindication]

Interesting to watch this. Book arrives in my mail today. Looking forward to reading it.

[@hammerfist8763]

So, a "mode" that requires progress, motivation, initiative and accountability is now "demonic." You've got to be kidding me. Let's go over a short list where "demon mode" is required (so that civilization doesn't crumble and people don't die by thousands). 1) Airline pilot 2) Ship captain 3) Military 4) Police 5) Firefighter 6) Power & water plant management 7) train engineer & semi driver 8) agriculture 9) construction 10) pretty much anything or everything else that advances or maintains the infrastructure of civilization & the social contract.

[@johnambers]

Great interview. Very well done.

[@GratitudeGuy]

Gratitude. Very insightful book.

[@williamal91]

fantastic interview, well done

[@TrangLe-yb5sy]

Excellent interview. Thank you!

[@acesfullmike5371]

Beyond fascinating, looking forward to the book.

[@108u9]

The end card with Errol Musk’s reply says it all. Elon as characterised by WI and other accounts IMO is almost a prototypical Gen Xer, and Errol-Elon as a publicly visible instance of intergenerational trauma. Hope many of the Millennial, Gen Z generation will choose in themselves to begin to break up this cycle and not continue passing on this terrible legacy and debt previous generations have failed to address.

[@loctobert9421]

Great exchange on the Demon mode topic. Thanks to Walter, for being a good friend to Elon Musk and being honest. I had worked for two bosses who got into very intense mode a lot. I didn’t endure that kind of work relationship but some of my coworkers did just fine, and they still do. I’m still friend to both people and I often appreciate my experience with them, though I still don’t like to be pushed around😅, think that’s partly my problem.

[@Feefa99]

It means you dislike dictatorship of any kind and that's good thing

[@MrGunderfly]

it means that maybe you were not as invested in the goals as those who stuck it out.

[@ericchild3363]

@@Feefa99 No one enjoys being pushed around, but sometimes it is necessary, if we are unwilling to concede quickly enough that the other person is right

[@Feefa99]

@@ericchild3363 if rich person who tell you what to do is impulse insecure a$$hole, that's actually a good case for democracy at workplace

[@ericchild3363]

@@Feefa99 I have news for you, workplaces are not democracies. If they were, they would soon not be a workplace as they would go bust and everyone would be out of a job.

[@s.7980]

I’m here for Walter. He’s an amazingly nuanced writer who can make anything/anyone interesting.

[@realRainz]

Demon Mode = Vision Mode, Creative Mode, Drive mode

[@bradhayes8294]

From my experience the old school mentality of "demon mode" might work in the short term, but not in the long term.

[@atun77]

best modern biographer

[@TheDavidlloydjones]

Yup. Isaacsn does good work.

[@noahno]

Yet he appears to barely even grasp Musk. This was the most basic information

[@AL-lh2ht]

@@noahnocope hadder

[@MrAlanfalk73]

Me niether

[@chriscollingwood3364]

The description of ‘demon mode’ is an example of a dissociated state.

[@waterwomaninFL]

I love this biographer but clarification, Steve Jobs did not invent the Macintosh, Steve Wozniak did. Steve Jobs was a brilliant man, salesman, inventor and motivator. Waz was the brilliant innovator..

[@bret9741]

I haven’t met a perfect person yet…. What I like and appreciate about Elon is he has made tens thousands of people millionaires AND he has made his employees some of the best paid and technically advanced in the world… When I was in the Navy, the best Captains and C XO’s used demon mode to get things done these men and women could whip everyone into a battle winning team and that’s what winning leaders do…. Every single “nice guy” I know gets torn apart by the elite media and Ivy League graduates

[@carpark1414]

I was having a hard time reconciling whether this "demon" mode is really a good or bad thing, but your example in the Navy shows that there is definitely a place where this sort of temperament shines and is, basically, the way to do things when the stakes are high and extreme focus and performance is required. Not for everyone. Perhaps not for most. I include myself in the "not for" camp, but now I can see how this sort of thing can outshine and outperform when used in the right situations. They key is, of course, using it only when it gets this spectacular output and shutting it down when it is overkill - but that is something that is most likely extremely difficult to do as it is ingrained into Musks personality at such a deep level, he would risk losing his edge perhaps if he tried to change? Fascinating stuff.

[@hymnodyhands]

Every leader, though, is not on a battlefield ... many quiet "nice guys" are out quietly working together and being win-win leaders. I am the daughter of an Air Force veteran who had to learn: you cannot lead in every circumstance in the same way. Demons GENERALLY get exorcised where people want PEACE...

[@sappo504]

Overall a quite foreboding depiction of the man. They picked up Grimes use of the phrase "demon mode" and used it liberally to describe Musk's behaviour - to make it stick. Big focus on his temper where, apparently, he doesn't yell or lose control or get violent. That's a bad temper? Seems to me that's a guy who is the CEO of multiple companies and has to get stuff done. This interview kind of cracked me up. Their characterizations are a bit silly.

[@Mranderson666]

AMAZING INTERVIEW !!

[@davidherringgo]

Excellent interview, that's why subscribe to their weekend edition paper and have for years.

[@DogHollow]

I read the book and Mr. Isaacson did a phenomenal job writing it. The whole time I was reading it I wanted out of there, and I wanted to be done with the book because it was oppressive. For an author to capture that nuance there is some exceptional talent there.

[@xual235]

Based on those words I'm going to read it. Thank you sir

[@acc4465]

You like fiction, don’t you?

[@Amuguei]

So WHO is Elon Dating? Cause you read the book

[@madhououinkyoma]

@@acc4465lmao 🤡

[@abigailandino6251]

This is what it looks like when someone gives a back handed “compliment”.

[@henrikwakman7776]

I love the mature setup of this interview piece, no jazzy intros or irritating buzz, just 2 people talking sense.

[@nbtc539]

Really loved the interview, have read most of the book and really appreciate Elon musk. I also love my tesla!

[@Kyle-Mace]

Would you recommend the book?

[@waywardgeologist2520]

The real question is which Tesla.

[@Runnmill]

One of elon's bot followers

[@madhououinkyoma]

@@Kyle-Maceyes! If you have any good or bad interest in Elon Musk at all, then it’s a must read. Book is awesome. Isaacson is an amazing biographer.

[@kathleencole3355]

Reading the book . Very interesting. A great insight into Elons mind and what makes him what he is to this day . Hope there will be a follow up . ❤️❤️👌

[@canxkoz]

Great talk! Thanks for sharing.

[@L_3551]

“Demon mode.” Like Elon’s a human and gets mad occasionally? Unbelievable.

[@shou635]

The media sure likes to focus on the negative.

[@ksc743]

Humanity loves bad news.

[@Aldo-Au]

Is the way the author is trying to capture the audience, very dishonest way try to discredit someone no telling the positive aspects

[@bukurie6861]

Thank you for beautiful interviw❤

[@richardlee9680]

Very insightful, good content

[@jimlaguardia8185]

One does not get to be a captain of industry by being Mr Rogers. Musk has earned the right to be however he wants. Any idiot can criticize, but only a few can actually get things done.

[@sureshnishtala2887]

Describing that Demon mode or Dark mode was the key highlight....thanks Walter for the book

[@joanmsmith5561]

I'm getting a sense of envy from folks discussing Elon Musk. I like this biographer, didn't think I would .

[@stellawilkerson7579]

Elon Musk, probably the most intelligent person i have ever seen. I hope he knows how many people are backing him!

[@johndoedoe88]

No Sh#$... I can see his narcissism 500 miles away.

[@wolfsbane711]

The interviewer seems threatened by intelligence. Seems belittled by it. Comes with a lot of prejudice. The Author is very elegant in his responses as he is in his books.

[@anthonym8345]

Just started reading the book 3 hours ago, can’t put it down

[@thandekamahlangu6027]

New too

[@chloe9910]

This interview is 99% negative. I don’t see how these questions from the interviews are not biased.

[@cyndimoring9389]

that depends on the person listening. I don't take it that way.

[@Aldo-Au]

200% unbiased

[@BadMannerKorea]

Maybe it is. But a lot of it is just talking about how things are, and why they happen.

[@ashleigh3021]

@@BadMannerKoreaNot really. He’s using framing, loading, gossip and half-truths to bias the questions in a specific direction.

[@ashleigh3021]

@@cyndimoring9389It does in that people have certain moral biases that predispose them to certain dispositions. In other words some people are biased towards the truth than others.

[@5321jerry1]

So what have we gathered from that interview? My self, I’ve learned that Elon Musk is human and has flaws like everybody else. The only difference is, he’s willing to share it and expose it with a biographer following him around on his tail for years. How many other people would do that? It seems to me Elon is heavy in selfself-awareness, which is sorely lacking in society today.

[@AL-lh2ht]

Extreme cope over Elon being abusive to employees, to his children, spreading Russian propaganda, him declaring Russia should be able to annex Ukraine. Cope harder. Elon does not love you.

[@MrFredericandre]

@@typewriter6885 Yeah he's very self aware, but nobody is 100% self aware.

[@callimachust1474]

A very enjoyable interview where the journalist has done his homework brilliantly and Isaacson was providing thoughtful responses in such a composed way. Can’t say that I become a fan of Musk, but I do have great admiration for Isaacson.

[@michaelsummers9884]

48 laws of power: Law 41 avoid stepping into a great man's shoes. (His father wasn't great nor a business innovator) Elon is a real life hero. I remember one passage though. 'You may believe that you have separated yourself from the predecessor or father figure, but as you grow older you must be eternally vigilant lest you become the father you had rebelled against.' Really hope he achieves his goals because our future generations truly depend on his missions. Sterkte Elon. P.S Bill Gates, is a egocentric hypocrite.

[@chandamubanga]

WSJ just can't have a normal interview about people they don't actually like, the way Walter described Elon musk's "demon mode" and the direction in which the interviewer was trying to take it were different. At some point, Walter mentions that Elon also has other modes "Engineer, Inspirational" and then the interview just redirects him to "demon mode" 😅

[@abhijeet_jain]

Awesome Interviewer, he asked all the right questions.

[@suelambert9338]

Liked the pros and cons of the interview. His strong and weak reasons, for observing his life. More strong charcter is still in side of Elon.

[@alijames180]

A good fabric needs strength in the warp and the weft, so there is that balance between the two.

[@gladysvaz590]

Good interview. Honest, straight talk. Look forward to reading the book.❤

[@lawrencefrost9063]

No mention of Boring Company or Neuralink? Great interview.

[@ericchild3363]

Generally a good interview, but maybe skewed too much towards Elon's shortcomings vs his achievements. I suspect he will not get the credit he deserves until long after he is dead, which is sad

[@Alfie286]

ordered the book. Great interview too

[@gesswa4755]

In Gestalt "demon mode" is the shadow side; most push it in the subconscious because it scares them. Elon Musk has the strength and courage to bring it to the forefront to push through it and emerge on the other side of creativity.

[@user-hm4jm1cy7m]

I grew up seemingly with the exact same parents as Elon.. the father sounds exactly like mine and his mother reminds me EXACLY of mine, its like watching my own mother, its eerie. For this reason I dont for a second think that that neurotic woman didnt add to the strife in that home.

[@VisionClearly]

The homefront sounds extremely difficult to grow up as child.

[@fritzeder1847]

Listening between the lines reveals that the WJ still wants to take down EM

[@zelmiracholevova184]

Yes, to put genius in the category of demon mood, bipolar, Asperger’s, is insane.

[@frostie1315]

Very similar to Steve Jobs in that he snaps into this dark mode and then barely remembers it after

[@israelquito3072]

THANKS FOR THE INFO!!👍👍👍👍

[@benpierce2202]

Why is Elon's move to the right part of a move to the dark side?

[@L_3551]

That’s what I was wondering too. Seemed strange the way he talked about it.

[@patriciazoerner]

Does the author not grasp the reasoning behind the switch in FSD? I noticed he made zero attempt to explain Elon's logic in choosing to more away from code based FSD toward AI learning based FSD, other than to say that Elon loves disruption. What a disappointing and shallow interpretation of Elon's motives. Sigh.

[@martinsmith2948]

what a wonderful and fantastic interview! thanks!

[@Abebe345]

Good challenging interview with its own pov.

[@loplop7029]

Did Musk steal the interviewer’s lunch? He seems determined to graft bad intent to every one of Musk’s actions, ignoring any of the staggering accomplishments.