HHAddendum EP17 Engineering Victory with Elon

He’s no longer positive for me

Grant Peeples

To add to the discussion though - Elon, whether directly or indirectly, is heavily involved in multiple rapidly changing industries. You can argue all day what he contributed, but you can't deny he's been the CEO of companies who have introduced significant changes to both EVs and spaceflight. With his interest in WW2 flight, and him bringing along an expert, he was absolutely an interesting interviewee. His perspective on technology of the past that went through rapid changes is intriguing. The backlash is understandable. It's hard to judge accurately, but based on his words and actions, Elon definitely doesn't fit the mold of a "good dude." But I am disappointed that fans of history would ever ostracize Dan Carlin for interviewing someone with a unique perspective to bring to history. Wouldn't that mindset exclude like... everyone we study? If Dan magically had the opportunity to interview Genghis Khan, you know in a heartbeat he'd do it and we'd all greedily listen. The Great Khan was, without a doubt, the DEFINITION of a "bad dude."

Kirk Cunningham

Interviewing someone is not immediately an endorsement of every action they've taken. I would assume most backers have dabbled in "Common Sense with Dan Carlin," so the backlash here is amusing.

Kirk Cunningham

dramamama

Hellian's Left Tit

You're going to be thrilled when you find out that Dan has been on The Joe Rogan Experience 5 times

Eric Loos

The seethe in this comment thread is hilarious lmao. Where was this pearl clutching when he had Malcolm "Jeffrey Epstein's friend" Gladwell on the podcast?

Eric Loos

Thank you Dan for a very unexpected and entertaining podcast. I don’t think you intended it but he succeeded in humanizing Elon in a way that I certainly did not know. I think people like to pick one thing they don’t like about a celebrity (and historical figures) and then paint them one dimensionally with that trait, not looking at the whole person. Something they would never do to someone they actually knew. Please don’t let your listeners’ negative comments keep you from making great content like this in the future.

John Parsons

Finally got around to listening to this and it was a pretty interesting conversation. A bit rambling at times, but I think that's the charm of the addendums; its not a hch episode, but more like listening in on people geek out about a particular thing in history and I enjoyed it. Elon comes with his own baggage, but whatever, he's still interesting to listen to see his perspectives. I especially enjoyed the closing remarks.

Jeremy

The salt here is unreal. A conversation with the one of the richest men in the world is almost by its very nature interesting. Furthermore, Musk does at least claim to have a historical perspective that motivates his views, which given his position, is worth at least discussion and critical thought. Love him or hate him, let the man talk!

Socrates144

If you see this Dan. When you have an interesting conversation, there are bound to be people that enjoy it. Never let the minority silence the majority. I actually dislike Elon (the profile name suggests otherwise haha) but it was an interesting and engaging conversation nonetheless.

Elon Chan

Thank Dan 👍

Patrick

Ah, the midwit has joined the converation . . .

Eddie Velsik

Apparently they're friends. Dan is great at telling history but maybe not the greatest judge of character.

Landon Sickler

Elon Musk is a trash human, I've heard everything you've ever put out but I might be unsubbing.

Landon Sickler

I would like to point out a few things: 1. Unless you interact with the arguments and sources I have provided (the video and its sources being the main ones) then our back and forth about whether Musk is a valid interview subject based on his moral character is little more than "let's agree to disagree". I did not, in fact, base my judgement entirely on the social media posts I provided. My judgement is based primarily on the video. If you watch it, every claim the video makes comes with a source, and it goes into excruciating detail about his immoral practices. 2. I am not actually criticising the episode. Other people have done a better job of that, criticising Musk on his lack of expertise instead of his moral character. I did not do that because I have not listened to it yet. For all I know it is a great episode. Does that change the fact that Dan gave Musk another means to launder his reputation and thus enable his toxic behaviour? No, the quality of the episode can never change that. 3. With regards to comedic appropriateness, I invite you to consider this: Every joke is a signal towards something, even an absurd joke is a signal towards the absurdity of existence. If I were a known transphobe and I made a joke at the expense of trans people, then my intent would very likely be to dehumanise them. However if I were a very clear ally, and I made the same joke then, depending on the context, it is very likely that I did that to make them relatable -- to humanise them. The power differential is not sufficient, as you said. The context is what matters. Musk clearly benefits from US imperialism, and his history (again, please watch the video) signals a clear disregard for the well being of others. That is why I am judging his joke, not as an absurd statement, but as approval for a foreign policy that has harmed millions to enrich people like him.

Robert Vella

You can donate direct through https://www.dancarlin.com/

Aaron Dodez

Wow, people’s politics infect everything. Shocked your fans are this negative about Elon. He is after all one of the most important people alive with Tesla, SpaceX, Starlink, building a rocket to Mars, etc but I guess his politics aren’t correct. Will go back to direct donations vs this nonsense. Sad for humanity.

Aaron Dodez

1. Your post addresses one of my points and not the entirety. Musk did a lot more heinous things than just joke on the internet, and the video series I linked, which states its sources within the video, documents those things we have knowledge of. 2. POV, you are the richest man on Earth and your business benefits from US imperialism. That is not your fault, and I don't think it's fair to put US imperialism on US businesses, unless they directly influence politicians to do it. However, "joking" that "we will coup whoever we want" is very... very poor taste. I stand by my judgement on that. Do you understand the difference between punching up and punching down in comedy? 3. Do you honestly believe that you can judge people's character by speaking to them, and not by the entirety of their actions?

Robert Vella

It definitely wasn’t up to the usual standards. Here and there were nuggets of knowledge, but otherwise this rambling show definitely needed editing and better sound. Also, Mr. Musk has certainly done big things, but most of what he said here wasn’t very pertinent. I liked the whole Octane discussion, but for the rest, it was all common knowledge. It’s surprising that you guys would put this out there in this state. Oh well, you had to do one show that wasn’t as great. Still can’t wait for next one. Cheers!

Gilles Gamèche

Your definition of a despicable human being is someone who makes jokes? Might I suggest that Dan is in a much greater position to judge his character than you, considering Dan has actually talked to the guy?

Why so much hate? You act like Dan Carlin charges a monthly sub. I'm such a fan of Carlins content, content which comes every blue moon, that I will watch all of it whether it's my cup of tea or not. Carlin and Musk are friends in real life and you can see why. They have a lot of shared interests. If you don't like it, don't listen. As a content creator who barely charges anything for his time and his content, he owes us nothing. Unfortunately Carlin is also very in tune with feedback from his listeners and you probably won't get any more content like this. Same thing happened to his political conversations and now we're lucky just to get one when something truly disturbing happens.

Nicholas S

The criticism and prejudice in the reactions to this episode really lowered my expectations so I've been enjoying it even more than I might have. Thanks for deciding to record it Dan!

Matthew Eaton

lol "wealth of mankind" - yeah, on average we all got richer last year.

John Budinsky

Insulting and mocking the others for voicing their concerns isn't any better.

Nick C

I bet elon has added more to the wealth of mankind last year than the sum of a the lifetime contributions of every poster in this thread. I don't like him either but the crying in this thread is just too much. When did you all become such whiney bitches? Have you all somehow synced your periods?

Nigel Lewis

Elon Musk has done more for the world than any of y’all ever will and you’re jealous.

Stephen Allen

Jesus, what a massive disappointment of a guest. Who’s next, Dan, Joe Rogan?

Adam Miller

I am deeply disappointed in the choice of interviewee. Elon Musk represents everything that is wrong with the world today. He is a grifter who was born to immense wealth, and who has manufactured every aspect of his persona to create a superficial brand, meant to manipulate his gullible fans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-FGwDDc-s8. He is a narcissist and an imperialist, who very recently "joked" about the United States projecting its power on South America: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EksIy3aW0AEIsK-?format=jpg&name=small. Did I mention that his solution to the economic cost of colonizing mars is indentured servitude? https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1217991853615677440 I am going to assume that Dan Carlin is ignorant of the person Elon Musk is, because I cannot fathom any other reason why someone I respect so much would ever have interviewed such a despicable human being.

Robert Vella

If you think all he is doing is "going to space", I can't help you. And as far as I know, he isn't even close to legally enslaving people. You hate him for what he represents, and it is that blind following of ideology that starts most of the stories Dan has shared with us over the years.

Nelson Doris

The salt in here is amazing. Really happy for Dan and his normal fans.

BrienN

Governments were going to space over 50 years ago. The only incredible venture he's undertaken is hoarding wealth without legally enslaving people.

Doctor Tony

It's due to the guest. Elon just, likely fraudulently, won person of the year. This is despite his numerous labor violations, blatant trolling, and general ass-hatery. I'll listen, but I won't give Musk's words much credence.

Doctor Tony

Interesting topic. It is too bad that Dan didn’t discuss it with an expert, or at least where the expert was the one discussing things with Dan and not just the experts boss.

steve

What’s the Patreon level where we get to call Dan and go over facts from Wikipedia articles and share our 2/3 baked ideas? Probably no point in me asking if Elon is doing it

SlowTrickle

I'll add to the disappointment. I feel that if Dan wanted to discuss science/engineering and war, it didn't need to involve Elon, talking more directly to NASA or SpaceX scientists (including Bill!) that would have more intimate and interesting knowledge of the subject matter. I have no doubt Elon shares the interest, but I doubt he shares that depth. The character of the man also puts me off whatever information he may want to share - this is someone whose public hostility devalues both his message and the insights of the folks like Bill who work under him. But I also don't want to put off getting weird and novel approaches to history (hell, that's why I listen!). The interview with one of the developers of Hell Let Loose was incredible. I'm not going to cancel my donation or anything like that, but I hope that you take this criticism to heart. I love Hardcore History, and just want it to be the best it can be.

Michael K

Loved the episode! Musk is always and interest guy to listen to in any long form discussions

Zack McCoy

Great discussion, thank you for posting!

Sergey K

I can't quite put my finger on it, but it seems like some kind of irony that all these people won't listen to a history podcast led by a person (that they presumably have come to trust) have a conversation with a person they've never met (but that they are sure they don't like). I'm certainly interested to hear this one. I'm not a Musk fanatic, but it is pretty hard to argue against his successfully spearheading the creation of at least two of the most incredible ventures mankind has ever undertaken.

Nelson Doris

Listening to one of the richest people on earth talk about raining death from the sky is a little too Lex Luthor-y for me

Shambot3000

Why even bother commenting to say you're not going to listen? I personally can't stand Musk and his execrable fanboys, but I trust Dan's ability to foster good discussions. And this was a really good discussion. Your loss, I guess. 🤷‍♂️

Coma Ecliptic

?? Not sure about all the disappointment posted. Looking forward to listening on my commute home this evening.

Stone Harriman

Very disappointed to see a fraud featured on the show.

Declan

First time I'll be skipping an episode.

Ryan King

It's sad you would associate with that disgusting person.

Taylor Hensley