[dekhn]

The reason for Musk's behavior is that he has decided to Fight the Establishment. As a reminder, the Establishment is that poorly defined group of people and interests, centered on the left and right coasts of the US, that exists to promote the success of the American experiment. For a number of reasons, over the past few years, Musk has grown dissatisfied with it, and actively uses propaganda to weaken it. Musk admires Putin because he's an unapologetic power-leader and Musk wishes he could be, too. In Musk's mind, if we just put a small number of really bright people in charge, we'd be able to solve some hard problems like multi-homing humanity to deal with existential risks.

We should all be thankful that Elon is taking his money and burning it, because in doing so, he reduces the likelihood that he can have a significant negative effect on the stability that the Establishment brings.

[pauldenton]

If the Establishment exists to promote the success of the American Experiment, why did the American Experiment do better between January 20th 2017 and January 19, 2021 than it has since under the control of the establishment?

[standardUser]

You think 2017 to 2021 was a better span than, say, 1990 to 1995 or 1950 to 1955? That's beyond preposterous, bordering on mental illness. I also don't recall the "establishment" ceding control at any point. Most of Congress and the judiciary existed before that short presidency and continued to wield power after it.

[dekhn]

I'm not sure what you are saying, can you ask a less loaded question?