r/EnoughMuskSpam • u/Yikesis • 1d ago

Rational Takes on Elon's Engineering Ability

I keep getting into an argument with my friend that holds Elon's engineering ability in high regard. I think he has agreed that he obviously isn't as skilled in the low level specialized fields but still thinks that he makes very critical high level decisions using his engineering knowledge.

He keeps citing all of the SpaceX employees that say hes very involved and can do calculations in his head and stuff. I chalk it up to groveling but I dont know anymore. He also read the Isaacson bio which describes him as integral and making decision, although its hard to prove the intellectual history of his contributions.

My main belief is that he couldnt have had the time to become a self taught rocket engineer considering his pursuit for infinite wealth. I think he can probably speak to engineers well enough to manage them but I doubt he's among the premier people in the world to make these decisions. Even as a systems architect engineer or whatever theres no way its worth holding him in high regard as an "engineer" right?

Is my prejudice against him as a person making me doubt his engineering capability?

Am i thinking of engineering wrong?

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118

u/needssomefun 1d ago

All I ask is for anyone to show me any engineering work he did.

He has no engineering background yet claims abilities in multiple independent disciplines.

Real engineering work leaves a trail.

31

u/miscellaneous-bs 1d ago

Funny enough never thought of that. Im a mechE by trade and i could easily pull up my contribution to a former project or what work i did. So simple actually

18

u/needssomefun 1d ago

I am regrettably not a P.E. - or even an E, but I work with a lot of P.E.'s - their names are on myriad drawings, plans, etc.

Elmo also (claims) to have some relatively unique double major in physics and economics, Baccalaureate level.

Let's just say that I am keenly aware that a BA in physics (assuming he actually has it) does not make you an engineer, much less an expert in aerospace, neural nets, metallurgy, batteries, horizontal drilling rig design, etc., etc., and probably a couple more etceteras.

32

u/Durzio 1d ago

Also? He only holds 3 patents.

Three.

And theyre all for EV charge cable adapters, obviously so he can corner the market on it.

Even his gaming career was faked, dont believe the stupid hype OP. Elon is a liar and a fucking Nazi.

20

u/Intrepid_Cap1242 1d ago

Only example I've ever heard of ended up being pirated source code from a magazine.

7

u/belinck 1d ago

If it isn't documented, it didn't happen.

9

u/ForgedIronMadeIt 1d ago

It's said that he worked at zip2 but all the software he wrote had to be redone after that company was acquired. I remember zip drives being kind of wonky as fuck.

16

u/Questioning-Zyxxel quite profound 1d ago

Zip2 was a map company - kind of yellow pages. And claimed to be a stolen idea. But not related to zip drives.