Walter Isaacson, the biographer of Tesla founder Elon Musk, has voiced criticism of Musk’s controversial acquisition of Twitter on his newly launched podcast, “On Musk.” Isaacson, whose biography of Musk was published in September, expressed reservations about Musk’s $44 billion takeover of Twitter in October 2022, later rebranded as “X” this year.
Isaacson shared his perspective on Musk’s entry into social media, stating, “I’m thinking it’s idiotic to buy Twitter because he doesn’t have a fingertip feel for social, emotional networks. It’s like rocket engines were simpler to him than human emotions.”
Reflecting on the attention generated by Musk’s Twitter deal, Isaacson mentioned his aversion to conflict and controversy, making it challenging for him to write about subjects he strongly dislikes. Despite this, Isaacson acknowledged that the controversies surrounding Musk certainly add complexity to the narrative.
The podcast, titled “On Musk with Walter Isaacson,” serves as a companion piece to Isaacson’s biography, exploring the experience of shadowing Elon Musk for two years. It delves into Musk’s activities, including building rockets, interacting with engineers, and staying at the homes of billionaires, providing listeners with unique insights into the entrepreneur’s life.
The four-part podcast aims to offer a deeper understanding of Musk’s personality and actions, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the man behind the headlines. “On Musk with Walter Isaacson” is available for listening, while Elon Musk’s biography is available in bookstores.
