Evan Hunt

Someone asked me, "how on earth did we not notice all these years that Elon's so dumb?" and I've been thinking about it.

Here's what I think: I actually think he *wasn't* dumb. But a large percentage of your "smart" lives outside your body, in the form of fellow human beings who say no when you're having a bad idea. Get enough money, people stop saying no, and then your smart dies.

Nov 12, 2022 at 4:28amWeb
Show threadEvan HuntNov 12, 2022
Dude really shoulda thrown the ring in a volcano before he turned into Gollum, is all I'm saying. Oh well.
Show threadJChristensenANov 12, 2022
@nuthaven Nah, he's always been dumb and privileged. Dumb isn't really the right word though. He's an incredibly gifted manipulator. That can be a good thing when managing companies. He's dumb in many other areas, and now we're getting a full view of his shortcomings, since his manipulations can't hide his ineptitude from the birdie downfall.
Show threadEvan HuntNov 12, 2022
@JChristensenA that's certainly possible too, but I've discussed him with people who knew-him-when, and they say he really was sharp and well informed. and there was a long run of genuine technical accomplishment at companies he was managing. and then... stroke of midnight, and now it's all pumpkins and mice.
Show threadOlivier ForgetNov 12, 2022

@nuthaven did you read Chris Sacca's thread? It's pretty much that.

https://twitter.com/sacca/status/1589732881232203776?t=p0nwt2J02W9u4cu5BgCdVQ&s=19

Chris Sacca 🇺🇸 on Twitter

“One of the biggest risks of wealth/power is no longer having anyone around you who can push back, give candid feedback, suggest alternatives, or just simply let you know you're wrong. A shrinking worldview combined with intellectual isolation leads to out-of-touch shit. 🧵”

Twitter
Show threadEvan HuntNov 12, 2022
@teleclimber I hadn't, but yeah, sounds right
Show threadDakotaNov 12, 2022

@nuthaven I've thought about this alot aswell. I remember not 6 years ago me being in highschool being super excited about what Tesla was doing for EV's and self driving, and SpaceX doing crazy cool stuff. At that period in time, I feel like Elon actually had useful things to contribute... How the tables have turned lol.

Im not sure if this was my ignorance not seeing whats up, or if he has really just gone downhill these past few years.

Show threadChris NeklasonNov 12, 2022

@nuthaven
Interestingl notion, that we're sort of ensemble creatures when manifesting decisions/choices.

In the case of what's happening in the other place, "dumb" also lives outside the body in the ensemble, especially when the ensemble is sycophantic, i.e. aligned to give the boss whatever he/she wants, transcending smart/dumb.

Hagbard was right: Communication is only possible between equals.