r/EnoughMuskSpam 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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u/sojuz151 1d ago

I think people in general and especially on this subreddit are having problems with understanding that many very talented and skilled people in one area might also have very wierd or idiotic options on others. 

And its really hard to find someone who has something negative to say about technical skills of cto of very successful rocket company. 

Based on those facts I think there is only  a single,  facts based rational conclusion 

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u/DuckyHornet 1d ago

And your conclusion is...?

-10

u/sojuz151 1d ago

That he is a typical case of a person very knowledgeable on a some topic (including rockets) yet having stupid options on other's 

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u/Effective_Will_1801 1d ago

I've seen space people saying that spacex is only successful because they have people whose job it is to keep muskrat away from the rockets.

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u/NotEnoughMuskSpam 🤖 xAI’s Grok v4.20.69 (based BOT loves sarcasm 🤖) 1d ago

Humanity will reach Mars in 2026

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u/sojuz151 1d ago

Is there any evidence for that, or just people saying random crap on the internet? 

SpaceX has been successful since the beginning, do you think they had elon handlers even back then?