Not about Risk Taking but getting things done to Solve Big Problems for a Bright Future
One audience member asked, how could we get more Elon Musks? Is the entrepreneurial mindset and skills transferable?
It isn’t about risk taking, he said: “I don’t really want to take risks.”
“I read a lot of Science Fiction as a kid and tried to think about the future and the problems that needed to be solved to make it a bright future, and I tried to get involved in that. I don’t create companies for the sake of creating companies, but to get things done. I have to get other people involved – otherwise it would be just me.”
Education and Society needs to Encourage and Place Value on Entrepreneurs
What about the education system – can you teach people to be creative?
Musk said it was important that societies create an environment where it’s “important it’s seen as a socially desirable thing to be an entrepreneur.”
He pointed out that in the U.S. it’s seen as better to earn your wealth, and, in fact, inherited wealth is looked down upon. It’s harder to prove yourself if you inherited it.”
At the same time he bemoaned the numbers of people who have gone into the “Hedge Funds and the law” and not into science and engineering.
Musk thinks Google Will be Victorious over Apple, Microsoft and Facebook
Musk was asked who he thought would come out on top, out of Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Facebook?
“It’s the grudge match,” he said. “It’s good for consumers that there is this battle. I think probably Google will win on the phone because Jobs is out of the picture. It matters quite a lot who runs the company. Years ago they were lowering Apple into the grave. But like that scene from Kill Bill, they punched through the coffin. it really makes a difference who runs the company. Larry Page is quite good and probably in the long run will come out on top.
“Facebook is quite entrenched and has a network effect. It’s hard to break into a network once it’s formed. But I’m quite glad there is Twitter there as well. Twitter’s growth is astounding and I slightly trust Twitter a little more. I don’t use Facebook,” he said.
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Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.