Of course his father declined to talk about his own abusive behaviors and then spoke out to defend Elon for his… he wasn’t defending his Son, he was defending himself. We all get our monsters from somewhere…

This guy is very good at articulating big things in a short burst.

When you’re poor you have personality disorder, when you’re rich you have demon mode 🤦🏻‍♂️

Great questions by the interviewer, he clearly did his homework!

Great questions. Great answers. Good journalism all around. 👏

His biography of Steve Jobs was one of my favorite books as a kid, this one’s a must-read

When you are middle class, you go to meet HR to get fired; when you are rich - you can plead demon mode.

Musk's behavior during and immediately after his demon mode(s)' is an extremely valuable insight from Isaacson. Great interview.

4:24 He's addicted to drama He's addicted to risk, and whenever things seem to be going smoothly he almost has a compulsion to stir things up but allows him to become a disruptive figure but also a difficult leader.

A brilliant interview!!!

Hilarious how WSJ and all the media outlets become exactly in sync with each other when they need to change your perspective on a specific person

This video is informative, very insightful about the subject.

Man ive been waiting for this guy's biography for years and now I finally get to see something about it. Finally 🙏

The interview was well done. Walter Isaacson got to know Elon Musk now. I am interested either in comparing people from his other books or maybe Mr Isaacson himself starts to compare a little. With nearly all this people - alive or already death - he has dealt with I am sure there is crazyness and genius. Musk is much more universal active than all the others (even this US President had invented a lightning protector). It's good that he helps to understand Musk better. But we also have to admire the Mr Musk was open to him and gave him the freedom.

Book just arrived today…looking forward to getting into it tonight.

My boss is a douch bag too . . . . and I'm self employed.

Demon mode is called “dissociation” which is the state where people who experienced extreme trauma switch (from their regular self to almost a different personality) due to their brains thinking this is how they can protect themselves. It’s more common than you’d think but dangerous if people in power switch and have the access to hurt others.

I truly admire the man. Sometimes it’s hard to understand the mind of a genius, as they are often on a completely different level when it comes to understanding complex processes. I am not an expert but am somewhat informed, and I would suggest that his behavior seems quite typical for someone with Asperger’s. I would also suggest that his “Jekyll and Hyde” displays stem from the way his father treated him as a child. Those scars stay with a person forever (my opinion).

His father is giving true Jos Verstappen / Joe Jackson vibes, a brutal father figure that simply abused his children by all measures, in expectation of "Making or Breaking" them. (In the case of Max's father, he straightaway told him, for years, he should just quit karting because he was bad and would never sit on a F1 car)

Very good interviewer, well done WSJ

Great interview, he also well explained first principles and “The algorithm” Elon runs with… ❤

When they showed a picture of the father at the end, the first person I thought of was Christopher Walken. And perhaps the resemblance in more ways than one.

Being bullied at school is very traumatic for hyper sensitive individuals like Elon Musk; -and I know as someone whom got bullied relentlessly like myself. Hearing about him getting bullied and how difficult his life was certainly brings tears to my eyes; and like him it was so hard for me to talk about it.

Great interview and insightful questions!

He blew up without a care because he’s a full blown psychopathic narcissist. I’ve worked for a guy just like that. They literally can’t comprehend how abhorrent their behavior is so they don’t mask it.

This guy became Elon's unofficial therapist 💜

Great Interview

Part of me really wants to go all in working at one of musks companies on something interesting. I just think it’s very difficult to deal with that level of stress for years on end and don’t know if it’s worth it

You just gave Elon the idea to add a new mode to Tesla vehicles 😈

This man did an incredible job interpreting Elon to write this book. Thankyou for this interview

Awesome 👌

This is not just Elon's biographer. This is a genius himself, in his accurate and engaging writing and journaling.

I'm currently in the middle of his biography on Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson. The book is Elon beneath the veil. Elon up close and personal... past, present and future. Great read btw

WSJ.. the freshest and juiciest cherry picked journalism in town

audio is on the lower side

I am I the only one who doesn't obsess with his success projects???Elon Musk is still heavily wounded child... very wounded

That “demon mode” Isaacson describes is narcissistic rage. It’s a very cold rage, narcissists instantly forget why they were mad when it’s over, and they’re usually very surprised or even upset if the target of their rage is still feeling hurt or wary afterwards. It’s very sad that Elon recognizes how awful his dad’s hour-long rages were to him, but doesn’t have the insight to see that he does the same thing to other people himself.

If by success Errol meant financial/entrepreneurial success…. He is a great father. Some people’s measure success by very different criteria. How about inner peace or not suffering all the time. I think Elon himself says in interviews he doesn’t see himself as a success, that it’s not pleasant/fun being him - not only because of responsibilities and power but because he is an emotional captive of trauma: restless, propelled to tirelessly accomplish in order to appease suffering… even enjoyment is a challenge.

His work on the Steve Jobs biography was great

The audio on this video could be better - volume is pretty low

Your honor In my clients defense, he was in demon mode

For the first time in my life I am now planning to buy a BOOK.

Great !

These are good questions

I agree with Elon's father, saying Demon mode is inappropriate as it conveys evil. He is not engaging in evil. He is direct and sometimes mean, and aggressive. But then again, Tesla and SpaceX almost failed several times and he puts tremendous pressure on himself every day; and, he expects others to do the same. I would not want to work for him, but I do admire his success very much. Yes, he would have a better life if he were in therapy and could sort out what is necessary from what is hurting his happiness and personal growth. The obsession with work seems, at least in part, an avoidance of other aspects of his life, in an addictive way, perhaps driven by his childhood or Asperger's social pains.

Wonder if “demon mode” can turn twitter into a super app. I doubt it, but it’ll be cool to see him try.

Is there any science behind "demon mode"? Thanks.

Great

0:20: 🚀 Elon Musk has multiple personalities and can be both a hardcore engineer and a problematic figure, but he was surprisingly open and transparent during the author's two-year shadowing experience. 2:19: 😔 Elon Musk's childhood experiences and relationship with his father have had a significant impact on his personality and behavior. 4:28: 😳 Elon Musk's 'Demon Mode' is a trance-like state where he becomes cold and brutal, often not remembering his actions afterwards. 6:36: 🔥 Elon Musk's approach to problem-solving and decision-making through first principles and the algorithm. 8:49: 🚀 Elon Musk's control freak tendencies and focus on product may hinder him from giving up control over his companies, but most of his ventures have been successful. Recap by Tammy AI

Ok, So I need to inform the world about "Demon Mode". Trust me, Im talking from experience from SA as I, and many other SA young boys had to deal with all these psychological issues growing up. It's actually a common problem here in SA. It starts will trauma as a child, having your family or farther choose your enemies side, feels like betrayal to a child. This in turn creates trauma when we older as we felt alone and no one had or back growing up. This also in turn creates anxiety to get out and make something of yourself when older. (the birth of Demon Mode) Forming closely to the theory, "Success is the best Revenge". I still deal with this issue on a daily but am fully aware that it gave me the opportunity to be in-charge of very educated people whilst I was 24 in the corporates. Demon mode gets stuff done, even if it's a result of trauma.

Is it me or is the audio really quiet? I’m pretty sure I don’t have hearing loss.

Great book.

Every self made rich person has a "demon mode". You don't become a self made billionaire by being nice to people.

The Elon Musk book I know is by Ashlee Vance. I'll check this guy out

I guess… I saw his book while at work and it caught my eye. So far it is interesting.

The title of the video original said drama instead of risk.

Sounds like Elon’s «demon mode» is a replicate of how his father behaved, but maybe milder. Quite common

Demon Mode enabled

Really interesting explains a lot

We all are.

People like Elon Musk are obsessed with profit. Who protects us against such companies?

Yup.. And sometimes gamblers win, and then they're worshipped after the fact

I was telling a Musk insider who hasn’t read the book yesterday that it’s a magnificent biography. It is really persistent and well-rounded - a great read. The language was surprisingly apposite and advanced. Because I love words, it was weird to see somebody using them so well in 2024. It is quite lulling to listen to the audiobook. This is a celebrated visionary, leader and hands-on businessman that we are given access to, and should our paths cross, we have been warned. But moreover this is somebody who knows what he’s doing and does it despite the perception of hubris. I wonder whether it’s possible for me to admire somebody more.

BEAUTIFUL mi genio ❤

Wow great interview! There's a lot to learn about Elon Musk. I've actually recently posted a video about his love for cars 🖤 2:37

Elon Musk is really committed to truth and making very important contributions, a trail blazer!

Walter Isaacson has done a commendable job. Trying to round up all of the facets of Elon, must have been like trying to herd cats. I'd say... Mercurial.. is a good moniker...

Elon is a doer.

Maybe he’s just had too many sycophants telling him he’s a super genius for too long and now he believes it.

Anyone that has a long tenure in business or in engineering will realize that not much is that profound in this interview. Having said that, it will be fun to read and learn about Elon.

working for Elon = money! 1st principle calculation....amazing...

I ask myself if demon mode is what got his companies being successful or could they’ve been even more successful if he created a work environment of respect and human decency?

We also do not agree he is a control freak - we believe he feels responsible to achieving the missions he feels very important - and when necessary he will put in his two cents as part of his responsibility and calling.

We human has a tendency that when somebody become so successful in one area of their life, all the sudden this person automatically become some kind of “ god”, whatever he behaves and said about other areas of opinions all seems very valuable and as some golden wisdom. Elon has no doubt very very distinctive in his career, but his personality has huge problems, anyone likes drama and chaos means this person is not emotional grounded and mature, is not healthy and well. Because of his emotionally not well, now I actually having doubts on what he does, where he is going to really land for the humanity. He can’t love, he doesn’t really know what real love is, so how a person like this can bring humanity to a real better place?!

His explanation of demon mode almost sounds like an aura before an epileptic seizure.

I witnessed a type of 'demon mode' in a person and their eyes glinted with that determined intensity of a hunting predator like a leopard. They calmly took charge of a very difficult emotionally charged situation and went to work. They handled the complexity and difficulty, with great efficiency and we all benefitted tremendously from it. I was completely floored and impressed by just how well things turned out because of the intervention of this person who came to the rescue. Then I saw an empty packet of pills left lying on the floor. ..Turns out that person was on Ritalin...

Seems like his dark mode torturing the innocent ppl.😅

I didn't like the book power play by tim Higgins which was about tesla and elon😢

8:20 meaning cut corners no matter what

And yet Most of his direct reports want to stay and advance the mission? They probably agree and advance that hardcore culture further into the organization.... Creating change never seen before or at such speed/scale. No one is forced to work there and if you don't fit the culture get out of the way.

Definitely companies nowadays need more leaders like Elon. 👍

Passionate people are passionate people.

it's Goblin mode when you got it you got it and when you don't you don't Giacomo

A sign of a good leader is one who people keep coming back to him. Although abrasive, he is not a sociopath as portrayed by most mainstream media.

Elon's father saying he must have been a good parent while still denying the abusive claims by his son is so delusional.

Elon must be the king that didn't know Joseph.

Audio is way too low.

Why are people always obsessed with trying to define other people...

Why don't they talk about him being a typical INTJ?

The most efficient leaders are ruthless,- kapil gupta

Am I the only one feeling that the interviewer is dozing elsewhere when Walter answered the question?

He's a bully; that's usually how it goes.

Yeah. He's just being himself. What you see is what you get.

Question every requirement. Break it down to basics

You no what they say "big Risks big Rewards.."

being elon musk will have haters no matter what good the person is. This is because musk are often held to a higher standard than the average person. he is expected to be perfect, and any mistake he make is magnified and scrutinized. This can lead to a lot of negative attention, even from people who don't know him personally. There are a few reasons why people might hate the person. Some people may be jealous of his success. Others may disagree with his opinions or beliefs. Still others may simply enjoy being negative and tearing people down. Whatever the reason, it's important to remember that not everyone will like you, no matter what you do.

it sounds like sometimes he was just talking to isaacson like he was his therapist ijbol

That Demon Mode is kinda intresting thing ever about Elon Musk

No no, he is addicted to drama

He's human. I LOVE LOVE LOVE what he's done in the world (Tesla, SpaceX, Twitter, PayPal, all of it) but we need to remember these CEOs are just people. And, to be honest, you don't get to be THIS successful without some MAJOR personality quirks/dysfunctions.