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Elon Musk’s Intellectual Prowess Questioned by Biographer Seth Abramson
In a recent series of posts on X, attorney and journalist Seth Abramson launched a critical analysis of Elon Musk, challenging the billionaire’s reputation for intellectual brilliance. Abramson, known for his biography on Musk, asserted that many of the billionaire’s supporters are overly reliant on his estimated IQ as a measure of his intelligence. He provocatively stated, “You are in a cult,” directly addressing Musk’s ardent followers, while emphasizing that Musk lacks substantial personal intellectual accomplishments.
Assessing Musk’s IQ
Abramson publicly estimated Musk’s IQ to fall between 100 and 110, citing insufficient evidence in Musk’s history to support claims of a higher intelligence quotient. “There’s zero evidence, from his life history, of Musk having anything higher than a 110 IQ,” Abramson tweeted. This assertion is part of a broader critique aimed at countering the myth of Musk as an unparalleled genius.
A Viral Response
After stepping away from the platform, Abramson returned to find his comments had gained significant traction, especially among certain online communities. Brought to light was the notion that historical theories, like Carlyle’s Great Man Theory, failed to hold relevance in contemporary discussions about individual contributions to society.
Musk’s Career Footprints
Delving deeper into Musk’s professional history, Abramson pointed out several instances that undermine the narrative of Musk as a business visionary. He referenced Musk’s early ventures, specifically noting that Musk faced legal battles over the creation of Zip2, which he co-founded with his brother. Following investor involvement, Musk was ousted from the company, a turning point he claims was indicative of his lack of effective leadership.
Moreover, Abramson noted Musk’s role in the controversial merger with PayPal, stating that even this was marred by poor management. He argued that Musk’s investments in Tesla occurred at a time of distress for the company, suggesting that Musk’s involvement was initially detrimental.
SpaceX and Other Ventures
According to Abramson, while SpaceX is often highlighted as Musk’s most significant achievement, he posits that much of its success should be attributed to partnerships that Musk was able to cultivate. Abramson argued that President Obama’s support played a pivotal role in SpaceX’s growth, particularly after Musk’s initial struggles to garner international respect for his ventures.
Abramson remained critical of Musk’s other projects, such as The Boring Company, labeling it a failure characterized by the production of an illegal flamethrower, and questioned the ethics surrounding Neuralink amidst ongoing investigations into its practices. He claimed that Musk’s approach to X (formerly Twitter) was marked by dishonesty and drew attention to the long-term implications of his leadership style.
Rethinking Intellectual Attribution
Abramson further emphasized that equating financial success with intelligence is a prevalent misconception, particularly in the United States. He expressed concern over the cultural tendency to ascribe intellectual merit to individuals based solely on their wealth and corporate ownership, arguing that this perspective lacks a global context.
In concluding his commentary, Abramson clarified his stance on IQ as a metric, asserting that while he introduced the concept to counter the claims of Musk’s fanbase, he does not regard IQ as a definitive measure of a person’s capabilities.
The full thread of Abramson’s critiques can be accessed on X, indicating a growing discourse regarding Elon Musk’s perceived genius and the nature of success in the modern world.
Source
www.thewrap.com