Elon Musk Is A 'Great Engineer Better Off With Tesla And SpaceX, Not Buying Twitter,' Says Biographer Walter Isaacson

Walter Isaacson, known for his in-depth biographies of historical figures, suggested that Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk's logical and systematic approach to problem-solving significantly contributes to his success in engineering-focused industries such as electric vehicles and aerospace technologies. 

Isaacson, who followed Musk for years to write a biography on the renowned inventor, highlighted his subject's exceptional skills and shared insights into his controversial acquisition of Twitter, now known as X, during a recent interview posted on YouTube.

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"He's a great engineer,” Isaacson said, emphasizing that Musk understands physical engineering but “doesn’t understand human emotions very well.”

Isaacson expressed concerns regarding Musk’s decision to buy Twitter, a move he believes might not play to Musk’s strengths. During the discussion, Isaacson pointed out that managing Twitter — a platform that primarily deals with social dynamics and communication — might not be the best fit for Musk, whose skills are more technically oriented than socially nuanced. 

“He's better off with Tesla and SpaceX and not buying Twitter,” Isaacson said, suggesting that Musk’s talents are best used in industries where engineering innovation is paramount.

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The biographer's comments underscore a critical view of Musk’s venture into social media, which contrasts sharply with his achievements in technology and space. Isaacson said he believes that Musk’s lack of finesse in understanding human emotions could be a disadvantage in handling a platform that serves as a digital public square, where emotional intelligence plays a significant role in managing controversies and public discourse.

Isaacson’s perspective provides a nuanced understanding of Musk’s capabilities and limitations. While Musk’s engineering acumen has led to groundbreaking advancements in several sectors, his foray into social media with the acquisition of Twitter may pose challenges that require a different skill set. Isaacson said Musk’s impact might be more positively felt in industries that align more closely with his technical expertise and less in arenas that demand a deep grasp of social and emotional complexities.

This is particularly true given that Musk has Asperger's, a condition that often makes social interaction difficult or unintuitive. But this hasn't deterred Musk, who continues to dedicate himself to the social media giant and forged ahead with an appearance on Saturday Night Live and regular interviews with journalists or speaking at events. While X has seen an overall decline in users year over year, according to some reports, Musk continues to roll out new features on the platform, implying revenue may be increasing — especially after the substantial layoffs and cost-cutting conducted after Musk took over. 

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