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We do learn that Musk’s Canadian grandfather was involved in a fringe political party with antisemitic views and relocated his family to South Africa because he

by hn1986 3y ago

We do learn that Musk’s Canadian grandfather was involved in a fringe political party with antisemitic views and relocated his family to South Africa because he liked the government better — he is described as harboring “quirky conservative views” — and that Musk’s father is now outspokenly racist. But in a book that goes to great lengths to dissect the transmission of habits and ideas from father and son, Elon is allowed to stay mum.

mikestew 3y ago
Before hitting that downvote link, note that the above is cut-and-paste from TFA. (Parent might do well to clarify that.)
justrealist 3y ago
What are they proposing? Sit Elon down in a room and make him write "I AM NOT RACIST" on a chalkboard a few times? Journalists don't "allow" someone to stay mum... Elon will say what he wants to say.
- nwiswell 3y ago
  > What are they proposing? They're proposing to do away with access journalism, or at least access biographies. The entire deal, spoken or unspoken, is: "you give me the inside scoop, and I'll skip the uncomfortable questions and lionize you." The article argues (and I agree) that's a bum deal for all concerned except the biographer and the biographed.
- lmm 3y ago
  > Journalists don't "allow" someone to stay mum... Elon will say what he wants to say. An interviewing journalist can, and should, ask the question and report the answer (or lack thereof).
- chx 3y ago
  Yes, Elon will say what he wants to say, but others might say more. However, to quote the article > Yes, Isaacson spoke to “adversaries” like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, but not (at least per the list) to line workers, not to Jenna, not to anyone whose family member died in an Autopilot crash, nor anyone who tried to organize a Tesla plant.
reidjs 3y ago
"To stay mum" or "keep mum" means to keep silent.
pschuegr 3y ago
"quirky conservative views" Cue joke about being silenced: "oh, you know the ones".

by hn1986 3y ago

mikestew 3y ago

Before hitting that downvote link, note that the above is cut-and-paste from TFA. (Parent might do well to clarify that.)

justrealist 3y ago

What are they proposing? Sit Elon down in a room and make him write "I AM NOT RACIST" on a chalkboard a few times? Journalists don't "allow" someone to stay mum... Elon will say what he wants to say.

nwiswell 3y ago
> What are they proposing? They're proposing to do away with access journalism, or at least access biographies. The entire deal, spoken or unspoken, is: "you give me the inside scoop, and I'll skip the uncomfortable questions and lionize you." The article argues (and I agree) that's a bum deal for all concerned except the biographer and the biographed.
lmm 3y ago
> Journalists don't "allow" someone to stay mum... Elon will say what he wants to say. An interviewing journalist can, and should, ask the question and report the answer (or lack thereof).
chx 3y ago
Yes, Elon will say what he wants to say, but others might say more. However, to quote the article > Yes, Isaacson spoke to “adversaries” like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, but not (at least per the list) to line workers, not to Jenna, not to anyone whose family member died in an Autopilot crash, nor anyone who tried to organize a Tesla plant.

reidjs 3y ago

"To stay mum" or "keep mum" means to keep silent.

pschuegr 3y ago

"quirky conservative views" Cue joke about being silenced: "oh, you know the ones".