If all these vicious asshats could just stick to tearing each other apart instead of ruining the lives and future of everyone else as their main activity, I could enjoy the schadenfreude a whole lot more.
Musk's inability to buy likability and respect despite wanting it so badly *and* being the wealthiest man in the world would be so horribly funny if it didn't affect the rest of us.
Musk owns a bunch of satellites and spaceships, which means that no matter how personally repulsive his behavior is, he'll always have something to fall back on until he's somehow forcibly removed from ownership or Blue Origin becomes a real competitor. Trump may actually be more vulnerable; Zuckerberg is too, in a different way.
Sadly, this goes waaaaaay back. 40 years ago, Musk would just be yet another Cat Piss Man wandering the halls at gaming and anime conventions, blathering to the vendors in the dealer’s room about his incredible gaming skills because they couldn’t leave their tables and escape. I honestly wonder if the biggest reason he bought Twitter was so when he lied about his exploits and was caught at it, he’d have an automatic entourage screaming “ARE YOU CALLING HIM A LIAR?”, the way he only wished he had in the Nineties.
Great article! I made an account to ask you a question.
You noted that Elon, because of his immense tech wealth, and ownership stake in several multibillion-dollar companies (probably most importantly military contractor Space X) is "too big to fail."
I understand that this is true at least in the respect that he cannot be prosecuted or have his power meaningfully affected without also creating negative effects for the wider economy, but what about if he died?
I suppose I'm just wondering why an annoyed government agency can't just take care of the problem for us. Given how often he walks around experimental heavy machinery, I do not think it would be difficult
"It’s not an accident, I don’t think, that three groups currently pissed off at Musk are effectively standard-bearers for three pillars of the Trump coalition: business wealth, with tech as its leading fraction (represented here by Harris and Graham)"
Sam Harris might be culturally similar to this group but he is very much not a standard-bearer for the Trump coalition. it's kind of like saying Marie Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron are part of the same sphere because they're both French; it's not even actually incorrect but gives the wrong impression. i'd actually be very interested for you to take on Harris, I don't mean in a debate so much as simply hearing your opinion, because I think he is a very interesting and often misunderstood figure, not to say he doesn't have his own glaring problems.
Yes, it's true that neither Graham nor Harris are Trump supporters—but my feeling is that they're respected and credible figures in the broad demographic group we're talking about, so their public criticisms of Musk are meaningful in terms of assessing the overall "mood" of that group. Very unscientific but so is everything inthis newsletter.
In a meticulous analysis of the recent inauguration event for former President Donald Trump, it has been observed that Elon Musk, the wealthiest individual globally, executed two conspicuous gestures reminiscent of the Hitler salute. These actions were deliberate and unambiguous, embodying a symbol historically associated with the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime, which resulted in the deaths of millions. The pertinent inquiry arises: what motivated such a display?
Upon rigorous examination, it becomes evident that Musk’s actions were not merely performative but emblematic of a deeper ideological alignment. Historical records indicate that Musk’s maternal lineage harboured sympathies towards Nazi ideology, with documented instances of Holocaust denial. His father, Errol Musk, has been characterized by pronounced elitist and eugenicist beliefs, further complicating the familial narrative.
The nomenclature of “Elon” is purportedly derived from Errol’s fascination with rocketry during the apartheid era in South Africa, specifically influenced by Wernher von Braun, a former Nazi scientist. This connection is further substantiated by references to von Braun’s science fiction work, “Marsprojekt,” wherein a leader named “Elon” governs a Martian colony. Such historical intersections suggest a deliberate cultivation of ideological continuity.
Musk’s public persona reveals inclinations towards eugenicist thought, advocating for increased reproduction among certain demographics and expressing views that can be interpreted as supportive of hierarchical social structures. His endeavours, ranging from support for specific political movements in Europe to ambitious projects like Mars colonization, can be viewed through a lens that perceives a pursuit of ideological propagation.
The public execution of gestures associated with Nazi symbolism serves multiple functions. It acts as a litmus test for societal tolerance, gauging the extent to which such actions can be normalized or dismissed. The relative silence or muted response from mainstream media and political entities may indicate a broader desensitization or unwillingness to confront such displays, potentially due to complex socio-political dynamics.
In summation, Musk’s actions and historical affiliations suggest a nuanced and deliberate engagement with ideologies that warrant critical examination. The interplay between personal history, public behaviour, and societal response underscores the importance of vigilance in recognizing and addressing the resurgence of such ideologies in contemporary contexts.
Elon Musk’s gesture during President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, has elicited significant controversy and debate. While Musk has not publicly clarified his intent, a psychological analysis can offer potential insights into the motivations and implications of his actions.
Contextual Analysis
Musk’s gesture, interpreted by some as a Nazi salute, occurred during a speech at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., where he expressed gratitude to the audience for their support. He placed his right hand on his chest and then extended it outward—a movement historically associated with the “Roman salute,” later appropriated by fascist regimes, most notably Nazi Germany. 
Psychological Perspectives
1. Symbolic Communication: Public figures often use gestures to convey messages beyond verbal communication. Musk’s gesture could be interpreted as an attempt to align himself with certain ideological groups or to provoke a reaction, leveraging symbolism to communicate complex ideas succinctly.
2. Provocation and Attention-Seeking: Musk has a history of making controversial statements and actions that generate public discourse. This pattern may indicate a psychological inclination towards provocation as a means of maintaining relevance and control over public narratives.
3. Cognitive Dissonance: Engaging in actions that conflict with societal norms can create cognitive dissonance, both within the individual and the audience. Musk’s gesture may have been a deliberate act to challenge perceptions, forcing observers to reconcile the dissonance between his public persona and the implications of the gesture.
4. Identity and Belief Systems: Musk’s actions could reflect an exploration or expression of his personal belief systems. By adopting a gesture with loaded historical connotations, he might be signaling a shift in ideological stance or testing the boundaries of societal acceptance.
Implications and Consequences
The psychological impact of Musk’s gesture extends beyond personal motivations. Public figures wield significant influence, and their actions can legitimize certain behaviors or ideologies. Musk’s gesture has been celebrated by far-right groups, indicating a potential reinforcement of extremist ideologies. 
Conclusion
While definitive conclusions about Musk’s intentions remain speculative without his explicit commentary, a psychological analysis suggests a complex interplay of symbolic communication, provocation, and identity exploration. The broader societal reactions underscore the profound impact that actions of influential individuals can have on public discourse and ideological movements.
This is how to dismantle the #usa #Oligarchy - The past holds the #Keys
Overthrowing an oligarchy—a system where power is concentrated in the hands of a few—requires collective action, organization, and often systemic change. Here are some key strategies populations have historically used:
1. Awareness and Education
• Educate the public: Help citizens understand the structure and impact of the oligarchy by exposing corruption and inequality.
• Build consensus: Spread awareness about shared grievances and the need for change through media, literature, and grassroots movements.
2. Grassroots Organisation
• Unify diverse groups: Bring together people across social, economic, and cultural lines under a shared goal of dismantling the oligarchy.
• Leverage community networks: Use unions, local organisations, and activist groups to mobilize people.
3. Nonviolent Resistance
• Mass protests: Organise demonstrations, strikes, and boycotts to disrupt the oligarchy’s economic and political power.
• Civil disobedience: Refuse to comply with unjust laws and policies that support the oligarchs.
• Strategic non-cooperation: Withdraw support from oligarchic institutions by boycotting businesses and elections controlled by elites.
4. Economic Pressure
• Redistribute wealth: Advocate for policies like progressive taxation, land reforms, and regulation of monopolies.
• Support ethical alternatives: Build cooperative businesses and community-owned enterprises to bypass oligarch-controlled industries.
5. Political Action
• Form or support alternative parties: Establish or back political movements that represent the majority and advocate for systemic change.
• Demand democratic reforms: Push for electoral reforms, such as campaign finance laws, to weaken oligarchic influence.
6. Alliances and International Support
• Build coalitions: Collaborate with labour unions, civil society organisations, and international human rights groups.
• Seek global attention: Use social media and international platforms to expose the oligarchy and gain support.
7. Address Power Structures
• Dismantle monopolies: Break up industries controlled by the oligarchs to reduce their economic power.
• Strengthen institutions: Push for judicial independence, transparency, and accountability in governance.
8. Revolution (Last Resort)
• If peaceful means fail and oppression intensifies, revolutions have historically overthrown oligarchies. However, revolutions carry significant risks, including violence, instability, and unintended consequences.
Historical Examples
• The French Revolution (1789–1799): Overthrew the aristocracy and established a republic.
• The Russian Revolution (1917): Dismantled the tsarist oligarchy, leading to the establishment of a communist government.
• South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement (20th century): Nonviolent resistance and international pressure dismantled a racially based oligarchic system.
Ultimately, the success of overthrowing an oligarchy depends on the population’s ability to sustain collective action, overcome divisions, and implement meaningful reforms once the oligarchy is dismantled.
If all these vicious asshats could just stick to tearing each other apart instead of ruining the lives and future of everyone else as their main activity, I could enjoy the schadenfreude a whole lot more.
Musk's inability to buy likability and respect despite wanting it so badly *and* being the wealthiest man in the world would be so horribly funny if it didn't affect the rest of us.
He is inherently unlikeable - and he’s hemorrhaging followers and fanboys daily. A good thing
Another prediction, trad influencers taking aim at Musk for his drug use.
Musk owns a bunch of satellites and spaceships, which means that no matter how personally repulsive his behavior is, he'll always have something to fall back on until he's somehow forcibly removed from ownership or Blue Origin becomes a real competitor. Trump may actually be more vulnerable; Zuckerberg is too, in a different way.
Any chance Musks' crippling need for approval and the likely future you've identified result in him going full Howard Hughes?
In some ways (at least the multiple kids with multiple women),he's beyond Hughes already.
Yeah but I was thinking more along the lines of crazy recluse who collects jars of urine…
If he would only stfu and become a recluse already
Sadly, this goes waaaaaay back. 40 years ago, Musk would just be yet another Cat Piss Man wandering the halls at gaming and anime conventions, blathering to the vendors in the dealer’s room about his incredible gaming skills because they couldn’t leave their tables and escape. I honestly wonder if the biggest reason he bought Twitter was so when he lied about his exploits and was caught at it, he’d have an automatic entourage screaming “ARE YOU CALLING HIM A LIAR?”, the way he only wished he had in the Nineties.
The callback to “five geek social fallacies” gave me a chuckle.
To paraphrase Bette Midler, I can’t say I created the term “Cat Piss Man,” but I definitely brought it to its high level of popularity. https://open.substack.com/pub/stremedius/p/backstories-the-wrath-of-cat-piss?r=3x4p35&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Great article! I made an account to ask you a question.
You noted that Elon, because of his immense tech wealth, and ownership stake in several multibillion-dollar companies (probably most importantly military contractor Space X) is "too big to fail."
I understand that this is true at least in the respect that he cannot be prosecuted or have his power meaningfully affected without also creating negative effects for the wider economy, but what about if he died?
I suppose I'm just wondering why an annoyed government agency can't just take care of the problem for us. Given how often he walks around experimental heavy machinery, I do not think it would be difficult
We'd need a different President for that kind of an official act.
Greed is too big to fail.
But.. I found your ruminating amusing...🚀🛰✈️🚜🚚
one small clarification:
"It’s not an accident, I don’t think, that three groups currently pissed off at Musk are effectively standard-bearers for three pillars of the Trump coalition: business wealth, with tech as its leading fraction (represented here by Harris and Graham)"
Sam Harris might be culturally similar to this group but he is very much not a standard-bearer for the Trump coalition. it's kind of like saying Marie Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron are part of the same sphere because they're both French; it's not even actually incorrect but gives the wrong impression. i'd actually be very interested for you to take on Harris, I don't mean in a debate so much as simply hearing your opinion, because I think he is a very interesting and often misunderstood figure, not to say he doesn't have his own glaring problems.
great piece as usual.
Yes, it's true that neither Graham nor Harris are Trump supporters—but my feeling is that they're respected and credible figures in the broad demographic group we're talking about, so their public criticisms of Musk are meaningful in terms of assessing the overall "mood" of that group. Very unscientific but so is everything inthis newsletter.
fair
Harris is pushing the " only migrants rape white defenceless girls" and "the southern border is such a simple issue" bs.. so not exactly.
A bad week for Elon is a slightly better week for us. I’ll take it
420 69 no more haters, i am a gamer Let the man be a troll at gaming. Ask him to do a fresh account stream or just watch what he posts.
This feels like noise.
Where he goes when shunned by the far right? To the true far left, of course. He will defect usa for China, someday.
Elon Musk - An Analysis of His Behaviour
( Roman/Nazi Salute)
In a meticulous analysis of the recent inauguration event for former President Donald Trump, it has been observed that Elon Musk, the wealthiest individual globally, executed two conspicuous gestures reminiscent of the Hitler salute. These actions were deliberate and unambiguous, embodying a symbol historically associated with the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime, which resulted in the deaths of millions. The pertinent inquiry arises: what motivated such a display?
Upon rigorous examination, it becomes evident that Musk’s actions were not merely performative but emblematic of a deeper ideological alignment. Historical records indicate that Musk’s maternal lineage harboured sympathies towards Nazi ideology, with documented instances of Holocaust denial. His father, Errol Musk, has been characterized by pronounced elitist and eugenicist beliefs, further complicating the familial narrative.
The nomenclature of “Elon” is purportedly derived from Errol’s fascination with rocketry during the apartheid era in South Africa, specifically influenced by Wernher von Braun, a former Nazi scientist. This connection is further substantiated by references to von Braun’s science fiction work, “Marsprojekt,” wherein a leader named “Elon” governs a Martian colony. Such historical intersections suggest a deliberate cultivation of ideological continuity.
Musk’s public persona reveals inclinations towards eugenicist thought, advocating for increased reproduction among certain demographics and expressing views that can be interpreted as supportive of hierarchical social structures. His endeavours, ranging from support for specific political movements in Europe to ambitious projects like Mars colonization, can be viewed through a lens that perceives a pursuit of ideological propagation.
The public execution of gestures associated with Nazi symbolism serves multiple functions. It acts as a litmus test for societal tolerance, gauging the extent to which such actions can be normalized or dismissed. The relative silence or muted response from mainstream media and political entities may indicate a broader desensitization or unwillingness to confront such displays, potentially due to complex socio-political dynamics.
In summation, Musk’s actions and historical affiliations suggest a nuanced and deliberate engagement with ideologies that warrant critical examination. The interplay between personal history, public behaviour, and societal response underscores the importance of vigilance in recognizing and addressing the resurgence of such ideologies in contemporary contexts.
GQ
Elon Musk’s gesture during President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, has elicited significant controversy and debate. While Musk has not publicly clarified his intent, a psychological analysis can offer potential insights into the motivations and implications of his actions.
Contextual Analysis
Musk’s gesture, interpreted by some as a Nazi salute, occurred during a speech at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., where he expressed gratitude to the audience for their support. He placed his right hand on his chest and then extended it outward—a movement historically associated with the “Roman salute,” later appropriated by fascist regimes, most notably Nazi Germany. 
Psychological Perspectives
1. Symbolic Communication: Public figures often use gestures to convey messages beyond verbal communication. Musk’s gesture could be interpreted as an attempt to align himself with certain ideological groups or to provoke a reaction, leveraging symbolism to communicate complex ideas succinctly.
2. Provocation and Attention-Seeking: Musk has a history of making controversial statements and actions that generate public discourse. This pattern may indicate a psychological inclination towards provocation as a means of maintaining relevance and control over public narratives.
3. Cognitive Dissonance: Engaging in actions that conflict with societal norms can create cognitive dissonance, both within the individual and the audience. Musk’s gesture may have been a deliberate act to challenge perceptions, forcing observers to reconcile the dissonance between his public persona and the implications of the gesture.
4. Identity and Belief Systems: Musk’s actions could reflect an exploration or expression of his personal belief systems. By adopting a gesture with loaded historical connotations, he might be signaling a shift in ideological stance or testing the boundaries of societal acceptance.
Implications and Consequences
The psychological impact of Musk’s gesture extends beyond personal motivations. Public figures wield significant influence, and their actions can legitimize certain behaviors or ideologies. Musk’s gesture has been celebrated by far-right groups, indicating a potential reinforcement of extremist ideologies. 
Conclusion
While definitive conclusions about Musk’s intentions remain speculative without his explicit commentary, a psychological analysis suggests a complex interplay of symbolic communication, provocation, and identity exploration. The broader societal reactions underscore the profound impact that actions of influential individuals can have on public discourse and ideological movements.
GQ
This is how to dismantle the #usa #Oligarchy - The past holds the #Keys
Overthrowing an oligarchy—a system where power is concentrated in the hands of a few—requires collective action, organization, and often systemic change. Here are some key strategies populations have historically used:
1. Awareness and Education
• Educate the public: Help citizens understand the structure and impact of the oligarchy by exposing corruption and inequality.
• Build consensus: Spread awareness about shared grievances and the need for change through media, literature, and grassroots movements.
2. Grassroots Organisation
• Unify diverse groups: Bring together people across social, economic, and cultural lines under a shared goal of dismantling the oligarchy.
• Leverage community networks: Use unions, local organisations, and activist groups to mobilize people.
3. Nonviolent Resistance
• Mass protests: Organise demonstrations, strikes, and boycotts to disrupt the oligarchy’s economic and political power.
• Civil disobedience: Refuse to comply with unjust laws and policies that support the oligarchs.
• Strategic non-cooperation: Withdraw support from oligarchic institutions by boycotting businesses and elections controlled by elites.
4. Economic Pressure
• Redistribute wealth: Advocate for policies like progressive taxation, land reforms, and regulation of monopolies.
• Support ethical alternatives: Build cooperative businesses and community-owned enterprises to bypass oligarch-controlled industries.
5. Political Action
• Form or support alternative parties: Establish or back political movements that represent the majority and advocate for systemic change.
• Demand democratic reforms: Push for electoral reforms, such as campaign finance laws, to weaken oligarchic influence.
6. Alliances and International Support
• Build coalitions: Collaborate with labour unions, civil society organisations, and international human rights groups.
• Seek global attention: Use social media and international platforms to expose the oligarchy and gain support.
7. Address Power Structures
• Dismantle monopolies: Break up industries controlled by the oligarchs to reduce their economic power.
• Strengthen institutions: Push for judicial independence, transparency, and accountability in governance.
8. Revolution (Last Resort)
• If peaceful means fail and oppression intensifies, revolutions have historically overthrown oligarchies. However, revolutions carry significant risks, including violence, instability, and unintended consequences.
Historical Examples
• The French Revolution (1789–1799): Overthrew the aristocracy and established a republic.
• The Russian Revolution (1917): Dismantled the tsarist oligarchy, leading to the establishment of a communist government.
• South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement (20th century): Nonviolent resistance and international pressure dismantled a racially based oligarchic system.
Ultimately, the success of overthrowing an oligarchy depends on the population’s ability to sustain collective action, overcome divisions, and implement meaningful reforms once the oligarchy is dismantled.
“ The worst offense…” rally? 🙄