5 books recommended by Elon Musk
The founder of Tesla and Time's Man of the Year, Elon Musk, earned his first $ 500 at the age of 12, selling a video game of his design. And in 2020, Elon Musk's SpaceX company made the first-ever private manned launch of the Crew Dragon into space. In an interview with Esquire magazine, the 50-year-old billionaire said: "I learned to build rockets from books."
Our editors have prepared for you detailed information about the books that Elon Musk recommends.
“Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future”, Peter Thiel, 2014 («От нуля к единице. Как создать стартап, который изменит будущее»)
Peter Thiel is the billionaire who created the PayPal payment system, Facebook's first investor. He believes that the foundation of any successful startup is a unique product, and tells how to create not just startups, but future monopolies, as exemplified by Facebook, Microsoft, eBay, Twitter, and many others.
In addition, the book contains guidelines for building a cohesive work team. “This author has built several disruptive companies, and this book shows you how to do that,” Musk says.
"Life 3.0 Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence", Max Tegmark, 2017 («Жизнь 3.0 Быть человеком в эпоху искусственного интеллекта»)
Max Tegmark in his book discusses popular questions about the future of artificial intelligence: how will it affect the world of the future? What happens to human feelings after the advent of artificial intelligence? The author speaks of three stages in the development of life on earth. 1.0 - biological life, 2.0 - cultural life, gaining knowledge and experience, 3.0 - what hasn’t yet appeared, the ability to radically change its structure without waiting for evolution.
“A compelling guide to the challenges and choices in our quest for a great future for life, mind, and consciousness - on Earth and beyond,” Elon Musk writes about the book.
"Superintelligence. Paths. Dangers. Strategies ", Nick Bostrom, 2014 («Искусственный интеллект. Этапы. Угрозы. Стратегии»)
“Artificial intelligence is more dangerous than nuclear weapons,” the entrepreneur believes. Therefore, he recommends reading a book that explains how to deal with the fast-growing tech industry and what the consequences are.
The Machine Stops, by Edward Morgan Foster, 1909 ( «Машина останавливается»)
Dystopia, in which people live underground without communication with each other, since the surface of the Earth is unsuitable for life. All their needs are provided by the "Machine", which they control with buttons installed in the rooms. In his story, Foster predicted the emergence of long-distance air travel, the Internet, and video conferencing. Over time, people begin to worship the instructions for using the "Machine" - the Book, and any dissent is persecuted.
Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand 1957 («Атлант расправил плечи»)
This is a social dystopia, describing a world that is supported by talented lone creators - Atlanteans. When Atlant creators lose their fight against the socialist government, the world is plunged into chaos.
"Counterpoint to communism is useful as such, but must be contained by kindness," comments Max, advising him to read the book.
Author: Moldir Adamzhan
Translator-editor: Chingiz Smakov
Photo: from open source