Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

I generally avoid even talking about him due to his rapid followers but uh… yes, Elon Musk’s father is “so rich we couldn’t close our safe” and it’s hilarious you chose him - of all people - to argue against privilege instead of Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Jeff Bezos, literally anyone of more modest upbringing but you chose the actual one with family money.

Regardless, I don’t think OP was referring to privileged upbringing/background but privileged currently e.g. privileged for working at a place which provides many amenities and trips. I agree with your first paragraph, i.e. everyone can only write from their own perspectives, but just clarifying the difference.




Bill Gates dad was a hotshot lawyer. Buffett's dad was a congressman. All of them had nice backgrounds. They don't fly private jets and live in mansions because of that background - they worked like maniacs. People can have nice things without it being "privilege"


Just look at Andy Grove [0].

Literally bootstrapped himself from nothing.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Grove


Andy Grove was "privileged" - he had about 200 iq points and had some weird genetic mutation which made him like working a lot.


I'm not an Elon Musk fan, but the impression I get is that both 'sides' exaggerate (or misunderstand) his family background. It seems - from what I've read - that his dad was the kind of slightly-mad entrepreneur who had money at points and no money at other points. I don't think they were stupendously rich.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: