I tend to approach things from a physics framework. And physics teaches you to reason from first principles rather than by analogy.
Elon MuskRead
The space shuttle was often used as an example of why you shouldn't even attempt to make something reusable. But one failed experiment does not invalidate the greater goal. If that was the case, we'd never have had the light bulb.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Failed attempts do not negate the value of pursuing ambitious goals.
Elon Musk highlights the importance of perseverance in innovation, suggesting that while the space shuttle program faced challenges in reusability, these setbacks should not deter us from striving for significant advancements. He compares this to the invention of the light bulb, implying that groundbreaking achievements often come after numerous failures, and it is essential to maintain focus on the larger objectives rather than be discouraged by individual setbacks.
Themes
InnovationFailurePerseveranceTechnologySuccess
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a motivational speech at a technology conference to inspire creativity and resilience.
More from Elon Musk
All quotes →The United States is definitely ahead in culture of innovation. If someone wants to accomplish great things, there is no better place than the U.S.
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The reality is gas prices should be much more expensive then they are because we're not incorporating the true damage to the environment and the hidden costs of mining oil and transporting it to the U.S. Whenever you have an unpriced externality, you have a bit of a market failure, to the degree that eternality remains unpriced.
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Man has the power to act as his own destroyer - and that is the way he has acted through most of his history.
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I've actually made a prediction that within 30 years a majority of new cars made in the United States will be electric. And I don't mean hybrid, I mean fully electric.
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Government isn't that good at rapid advancement of technology. It tends to be better at funding basic research. To have things take off, you've got to have commercial companies do it.
Elon MuskRead
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