I am currently reading and greatly enjoying Walter Isaacson's biography of Elon Musk.
I'm a big fan of Walter Isaacson's work, having previously devoured his biographies of Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein and others.
At the time of writing this article, I have read just 17 of the 95 chapters but I feel compelled to start sharing my thoughts.
Firstly I'm struck by the cause and effect, which often exists between humble beginnings and the accomplishment of great things.
By any measure, the first 25 years of Elon's life were incredibly tough!
From coping with the systemic violence in South Africa during the apartheid era, the physical and mental abuse, which his father inflicted on him and existing in a near-permanent state of financial hardship; Elon was moulded by extreme adversity.
On account of growing up in such an environment, Elon developed some powerful character traits, which have served him very well in his life as an entrepreneur.
In no particular order, he is extremely resourceful, self-sufficient, hyper-intelligent, creative and driven by a profound sense of mission, which far exceeds financial reward and is guided by a strong sense of right and wrong.
As a lover of super hero's, who was mercilessly bullied as a child, Elon has clearly developed a strong sense of the opposing force between good and evil, along with an intensely passionate and deep rooted desire to ensure the underdog always prevails, in spite of how impossible things may seem.
It could be said that he has a superhero complex and like any great superhero, he is intent upon saving the world from catastrophe and destruction.
Based on his extensive track record of astonishing accomplishments, which have led to him becoming the wealthiest person on the planet, who could reasonable make the case for saying that he hasn't already achieved the impossible?
With the ongoing work he is doing at X, Tesla, SpaceX and a number of other incredibly exciting and pioneering companies, the mind boggles at the numerous ways in which he will achieve the impossible in the future and the profound ways in which he will continue to change our world and indeed the universe beyond.
In the meantime, to chapter 18 and beyond!
I'm a big fan of Walter Isaacson's work, having previously devoured his biographies of Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein and others.
At the time of writing this article, I have read just 17 of the 95 chapters but I feel compelled to start sharing my thoughts.
Firstly I'm struck by the cause and effect, which often exists between humble beginnings and the accomplishment of great things.
By any measure, the first 25 years of Elon's life were incredibly tough!
From coping with the systemic violence in South Africa during the apartheid era, the physical and mental abuse, which his father inflicted on him and existing in a near-permanent state of financial hardship; Elon was moulded by extreme adversity.
On account of growing up in such an environment, Elon developed some powerful character traits, which have served him very well in his life as an entrepreneur.
In no particular order, he is extremely resourceful, self-sufficient, hyper-intelligent, creative and driven by a profound sense of mission, which far exceeds financial reward and is guided by a strong sense of right and wrong.
As a lover of super hero's, who was mercilessly bullied as a child, Elon has clearly developed a strong sense of the opposing force between good and evil, along with an intensely passionate and deep rooted desire to ensure the underdog always prevails, in spite of how impossible things may seem.
It could be said that he has a superhero complex and like any great superhero, he is intent upon saving the world from catastrophe and destruction.
Based on his extensive track record of astonishing accomplishments, which have led to him becoming the wealthiest person on the planet, who could reasonable make the case for saying that he hasn't already achieved the impossible?
With the ongoing work he is doing at X, Tesla, SpaceX and a number of other incredibly exciting and pioneering companies, the mind boggles at the numerous ways in which he will achieve the impossible in the future and the profound ways in which he will continue to change our world and indeed the universe beyond.
In the meantime, to chapter 18 and beyond!