[Treegarden]

I don’t see how “tech” is limited to software. While your case might be made for software, according to many accounts Musk is a strong driver on the hardware side. For instance, I’ve read the Tesla and SpaceX books by Eric Berger, which are much more focused on technical things compared to the more mainstream books. And while Musk is not in the trenches with a screwdriver, he’s not faking it either.

To be honest, I’m actually interested in this hypothesis: is he legitimately skilled/knowledgeable, or is he indeed faking it? And for either side I would like to see evidence. This question is interesting to me because some of his companies have made substantial contributions to pushing the frontier of technology (reusable landing, high launch cadence, electric cars, energy).

If he is really faking it, that might even be good, because the success of his companies might be replicable and could continue without him. But what if he is not?

[adev_]

> or is he indeed faking it ?

On a domain side to nerdery: video games. There is zero doubt he is faking it entirely.

The streams he publishes on game like PoE or Elden Ring, have been long commented on online boards

https://www.reddit.com/r/EnoughMuskSpam/comments/1hwe0id/elo...

And honestly, I can understand it entirely.

He has a public image of "geek/need hero" that is honestly inspiring. And that benefits him a lot because it bring people to trust his decisions. He has all the interest of the world to maintain this image.

[petra]

There was a podcast with Mark Andreesen, the VC, and he said that Elon has deep understanding and involvement in the technical side in his companies.

[anthem2025]

Wow if Marc Andreesen said then it must be true.

[freilanzer]

> some of his companies have made substantial contributions to pushing the frontier of technology (reusable landing, high launch cadence, electric cars, energy).

People he hired for these companies made contributions.

[Treegarden]

Can you elaborate how this relates to his own competency?