1. He is working on things that are hard, rarely attempted and extremely important with potentially huge long term impacts, e.g.: - Making cars electric (Tesla

1. He is working on things that are hard, rarely attempted and extremely important with potentially huge long term impacts, e.g.: - Making cars electric (Tesla) and electricity renewable (Solar City) which if successful in a big way will help to combat climate change and provide a step towards a 'post [energy] scarcity' world. - His desire and efforts to settle humans on Mars (SpaceX) are one of the best chances we have to become a multi-planet species which some consider a very important goal for humanity in and of itself and also provides some insurance for the long term survival of our species. 2. He does these things in a way that suggests he cares about the overall advances produced by his work in addition to the profitability and success of his companies (e.g. by releasing patents). This could just be clever marketing and rhetoric but it appears genuine and of benefit to the world in general. 3. He comes across as an engineer and a 'nerd' - whether by being honest about failures or getting the in jokes. Even if it's all for show, he pulls it off well enough to endear him to large sections a crowd like this one. Few if any others with the money and capability to be successful are working on these problems (and even fewer look like they might be succeeding). Where it is happening, it's often hidden inside secretive 'skunk works' type organisations which deny us the opportunity to imagine the impact they may have and elevate those responsible to 'super man' status.