I've tried editing a bunch but always get downvotes, so here it is on a throwaway.
-> how would you work Hyperloop into your list of examples?
You couldn't, in my opinion, because it's counter to your argument and position, which is needlessly, gratuitously negative. Perhaps you can't see the difference between someone to idolize, who is an engineer that can proceed from first principles to leaving no stone, degree of freedom, or axis unturned and delivering a solution...and, someone like kzhahou above who literally ignores 1 out of 4 examples we have of Musk's invention, creativity and leadership. (The 4 examples we have are as a PayPal cofounder only, as a Tesla investor and ALSO product architect - his official role -, which we can see whenever he talks about the trade-offs, as a SpaceX investor, and in envisioning and engineering the basic constraints in HyperLoop.)
you are saying the "inaccuracy" of him being a hero-inventor doesn't serve us well. I say it does, because people will give him money, and he can deliver on great designs as he has proven an ability to do.
taking that away from him because you're uncomfortable with extreme adulation is the opposite of everything capitalism stands for: if you prove you can design, engineer, build, manage, and lead to great things, you get to do more of them.
(sorry you can't tell the difference, but reflecting on why you chose to leave out the quarter of his ventures that he is chief inventor on would serve you well. also reflecting on the degree to which he is product architect at tesla would do the same. finally you can look at zip2, which is what he did, including personally, before payapl.)
Hyperloop doesn't exist. Musk isn't even trying to implement it, and lots of good engineers think it's totally impractical. If anything, it's a good counter example to his other ventures, which are outstanding executions of non-visionary ideas.
At any rate, parent comment is correct that there's an unhealthy degree of hero-worship veneration for Musk around these parts.
I see. And if he does implement it, you will come back and say he didn't do that with his two bare hands, but basically had other people do large parts. You people in this thread just don't get it.
What's to get? Yes, if Hyperloop ever does get built, it won't be because Musk conjured it out of thin air with the sheer force of his genius-will. I don't believe in the Great Man Theory[0] and neither do most serious scholars. Humanity moves forward through the combined contribution of millions of mostly-unsung workers.
Also, I just think it's a bit creepy how many people on here wish Elon Musk was their daddy.
It's unfortunate that you try to tear other people's work down with negative commentary, and you should consider being more constructive about changing the world. In fact, other than the negative language you use, you have almost precisely described cause-and-effect.
Yes, if HyperLoop ever does get built, it will be a direct effect of Musk conjuring it out of thin air with the sheer force of his genius-will. Although you use derisive, negative, and quite unconstructive language.
You can use this language to dismiss anything. Go get a fork from your kitchen, put it on your table, and then move it so it falls to the ground. Why did it fall to the ground? It fell to the ground due to - in negative, dismissive terms, "humanity's almost preternatural ability to manipulate the environment in a way that transcends the abilities of plants and microorganism as shown through the genius-will of 'ForHackernews'". This description is correct except for the negative and unconstructive language.
The "Great Man theory" should probably now be called the "great person theory" as it is quite sexist, but other than that it is largely correct.
you don't want to make any positive impact on the world, then don't. but don't pull down those who do. I hope you will be more constructive in the future. good luck with everything you do that is in that direction.
-> how would you work Hyperloop into your list of examples?
You couldn't, in my opinion, because it's counter to your argument and position, which is needlessly, gratuitously negative. Perhaps you can't see the difference between someone to idolize, who is an engineer that can proceed from first principles to leaving no stone, degree of freedom, or axis unturned and delivering a solution...and, someone like kzhahou above who literally ignores 1 out of 4 examples we have of Musk's invention, creativity and leadership. (The 4 examples we have are as a PayPal cofounder only, as a Tesla investor and ALSO product architect - his official role -, which we can see whenever he talks about the trade-offs, as a SpaceX investor, and in envisioning and engineering the basic constraints in HyperLoop.)
you are saying the "inaccuracy" of him being a hero-inventor doesn't serve us well. I say it does, because people will give him money, and he can deliver on great designs as he has proven an ability to do.
taking that away from him because you're uncomfortable with extreme adulation is the opposite of everything capitalism stands for: if you prove you can design, engineer, build, manage, and lead to great things, you get to do more of them.
(sorry you can't tell the difference, but reflecting on why you chose to leave out the quarter of his ventures that he is chief inventor on would serve you well. also reflecting on the degree to which he is product architect at tesla would do the same. finally you can look at zip2, which is what he did, including personally, before payapl.)