Comment by SR2Z
8 hours ago
Dude, nobody with a brain thinks he would have succeeded without the subsidies and support, but that still doesn't invalidate his achievements.
It's really annoying that I'm defending him because I find him reprehensible, but the truth is that he's accomplished some crazy things.
> the truth is that he's accomplished some crazy things.
I would argue: yes, to the extent that a leader gets to be described as having "accomplished" the work of the team.
It's not nothing, to be a visionary and charismatic leader!
But at the same time… when the reality distortion field seems to be in the process of transforming into a cult of personality, I think it's fair to ask if he'll ever again do something like a new SpaceX or a new Tesla, either as a maker or an investor.
I'm not sure when the cut-off between the two states, RDF and cult, would be. Not unreasonable to say it was when he libelled the cave diver, but there are other times it could've been.