What Elon Musk Reads
Elon Musk is recognised as an innovative genius and a pioneer of ground-breaking technology. The breadth and depth of his knowledge come from his diverse and curious reading habits. Drawing on his largely self-directed education, Musk has acquired a vast knowledge of science, technology, philosophy, culture and history. By closely studying and learning from the works of adapt thinkers and authors, he has been able to shape his thought processes to create his own meaningful and revolutionary impacts. This article will explore the books and sources that have been immensely influential in Elon Musk’s success and advancements.
Must-Reads
Some of the must-read books deemed by musk include The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, which is a science fiction comedy novel that Musk praised for its “tremendous wit and comedy”. He also emphasised its theme of seeking knowledge and advocating adventure and exploration. Another must-read is Epictetus’ Enchiridion, a book on Stoic philosophy which emphasises personal ethics, independence and free will. Musk was inspired by the works’ powerful message that one’s circumstances and fortunes need not to dictate their success.
Apart from books, Musk turns to other sources for information. He reads heavily on scientific progress and technological advancements, making sure to stay up to date on the latest news and trends in the industry. Musk follows a lot of academic journals and publications online, such as Nature, Scientific American and the contents of academic libraries. He also follows the work of famous bloggers and business leaders such as Warren Buffett and Ray Dalio.
Fiction
When it comes to fiction, Musk is said to favour the works of Neil Stephenson, who is a science fiction writer and futurist. Being a successful technology innovator, Musk finds Stephenson’s stories to be particularly fascinating, citing the novels Cryptonomicon and The Diamond Age as his favourites. Stephenson’s novels strike a chord with Musk because of his themes of expansion and discovery. Musk is particularly inspired by the narratives of exploration and discovery demonstrating the need for thinking outside the box.
Musk delights in science-fiction literature, which is aligned with his technological break-throughs and innovations. For example, the novel Dune by Frank Herbert provided Musk with a deep exploration of the political, social, ecological and religious aspects of a universe. He uses hypothetical questions to drive his thought process and aid his innovative projects. Such knowledge gained from several of Musk’s favourite books, have aided him in viewing innovative ideas from diverse perspectives.
Biographies
Musk never fails to read diverse biographies, as he finds inspiration in other people’s experiences. Some of the books he’s read include those by Benjamin Franklin, Nikola Tesla, Albert Einstein and Steve Jobs. These biographies contain astonishing accounts of each of these individuals’ achievements, successes and motivations. Musk is acknowledged as a true 21st century innovator, as he is a student of the past and also an architect of the future.
Musk also reads about companies, traditional businesses and our world’s economy. The novel ‘Business Adventures’ by John Brooks, provides him with valuable insight and analysis about the world’s economy and the working environment of larger companies. His appreciative takeaways from the book have enabled him to develop his entrepreneurial skills and running of his own companies.
History & Culture
Apart from science and technology, Musk also reads widely about other subject such as history and culture. Among these books are ‘Guns, Germs and Steel’ by Jared Diamond, ‘The Art of War’ by Sun Tzu, ‘God Emperor of Dune’ by Frank Herbert and ‘A Brief History of Time’ by Stephen Hawking. Besides being packed with great information, the themes of the works, such as the history of humanity, war and space, provide Musk with a large pool of ideas to work with and plenty of opportunities to explore advanced concepts.
In addition, Musk reads plenty of other books such as ‘The Lord of the Rings’, ‘Einstein and Oppenheimer’, and ‘Stephen Hawking: A Biography’. By reading these books, Musk is able to gain more clarity and perspective on the world’s history and culture.This helps him to better understand how certain events have shaped the world, and more specifically, how successful innovations and technological advancements have been created.
Self-improvement
Apart from books, Musk reads plenty of personal development materials. He is said to have favourited the works of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, Warren Buffet, Ray Dalio and Richard Branson because of their insights into entrepreneurship. Musk also stays motivated and connected to his philanthropic causes by occasionally reading the works of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. Moreover, plenty of academics, professors and researchers have access to Musk’s team and make sure to stay up to date with the current trends in the technology industry.
Musk also reads a lot of non-fiction materials such as books on finance, investing, aerospace and military history. He is known to make plenty of financial investments, so it is no surprise that he turns to books on finance for some extra guidance. By doing this, Musk is able to learn more about the stock market, as well as the underlying fundamentals of it. Additionally, Musk regularly reads up on advances in the aerospace, military and automotive industries. He also keeps himself updated on advancements in robotics and alternative energy.
Popular Science & Technology
Musk is no stranger to reading about science and technology, and he buys books that are packed with innovative thoughts and ideas. He reads mostly about biotechnology, robotics, engineering and myriad new technologies. He also follows the works of experts in the fields of artificial intelligence, alternative energy and autonomous vehicles. With these books, Musk is able to stay informed of the significant breakthroughs and technical developments. He is also able to develop his own thought processes through the works of renowned scientists, engineers and experts.
These sources of knowledge serve to further develop his adept problem-solving skills. While most of Musk’s reading is focused in the worlds of science and technology, he also reads about other topics such as economics and emerging markets. He is also interested in reading about the psychology of investing and stock market trading. He is known to make plenty of investments in both practical and speculative financial operations.
Philosophy & Psychology
Musk takes some time to read books on philosophy and psychology. He enjoys the works of experts in the field such as Ray Dalio, Tony Robbins and John C. Maxwell. He regularly reads books outlining the basics of human behavior, including why people think, act and make decisions in certain ways. By doing so, Musk maintains a strong understanding of human psychology, which helps him make better decisions for his companies in both internal team management and external customer relations.
He also reads plenty of books on logic and reasoning. He is especially interested in the works of authors like Aristotle and Marcus Aurelius, which serve to help him better understand the underlying structure of critical thinking. Through the works of these experts, Musk can better formulate logical arguments, understand the context of a situation and interpret data more accurately. In addition, he reads books on religion and spirituality in order to further broaden his perspective on life.
Leadership & Management
Being the CEO of many multi-billion dollar companies, it is no surprise that Musk takes plenty of time to read books on leadership and management. He studies stories of successful executives and reads up on the strategies and fundamental principles of successful corporate management. Books on global business trends and international markets help Elon to interpret and analyze the economic dynamics of different regions. He also reads up on negotiation strategies, recruitment tactics and effective team management.
Some of the books that have aided Musk with his leadership style include the ‘Competitive Strategy’ by Michael Porter, providing a framework and insights into corporate strategies and efficiency. Musk also regularly reads books on decision-making, from Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work by Chip and Dan Heath to Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. Musk has also found the book Winning: The Answers to Life’s Toughest Questions by Jack Welsh to be a great insight into the life and thoughts of successful business leaders.
