How To Learn Anything, Anywhere - Elon Musk
Summary
TLDRElon Musk, despite holding two degrees, attributes his success to self-education and critical thinking rather than formal education. He dropped out of Stanford to co-found Zip2 and later acquired rocket science knowledge through textbooks and experts like Jim Cantrell. Musk emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions and applying knowledge, which he demonstrates through his ventures like SpaceX. He also values reading, having read extensively from a young age, and believes in hiring based on skill rather than formal education.
Takeaways
- 🎓 Elon Musk, despite having two degrees, doesn't attribute his success to his college education.
- 📚 Musk values self-learning and has developed his own techniques for acquiring knowledge.
- 🚀 He left Stanford to co-found Zip2 with his brother Kimball, marking the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey.
- 🤔 Musk is critical of the modern education system, believing it lacks emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving.
- 📚 He educates himself by reading textbooks and consulting with experts in various fields.
- 📖 Musk reached out to Jim Cantrell, an expert in satellite systems, to learn about space travel and rocketry.
- 📘 Cantrell lent Musk books on rocket propulsion and space systems, which Musk studied intensively.
- 🧠 Musk's method of learning involves understanding the fundamental principles before delving into details.
- 🤝 He surrounds himself with top talent, learning from and employing experts to enhance his knowledge and ventures.
- 🗣️ Musk emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions to expand human consciousness and innovation.
- 📚 Reading has been a significant part of Musk's life since childhood, contributing to his success across multiple fields.
Q & A
What are Elon Musk's views on traditional college education?
-Elon Musk does not credit his college education for his success. He believes that the modern education system does not facilitate rapid and thorough learning, and lacks emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving.
Why did Elon Musk leave the University of Pennsylvania?
-Elon Musk left the University of Pennsylvania after receiving his bachelor's degree in economics and physics to co-found the web software company Zip2 with his brother Kimball.
What was Elon Musk's initial plan after leaving Stanford?
-After leaving Stanford, Elon Musk's initial plan was to co-found Zip2, a web software company, instead of pursuing a PhD.
How does Elon Musk approach learning new subjects?
-Elon Musk approaches learning by acquiring textbooks and specialized knowledge from experts in the field, focusing on understanding the fundamental principles before delving into details.
Who is Jim Cantrell and how did he help Elon Musk?
-Jim Cantrell is a subject matter expert in satellite systems who worked with Elon Musk by lending him textbooks on rocket propulsion and astrodynamics, which Musk used to educate himself about space travel and eventually develop plans for SpaceX rockets.
What was Elon Musk's reaction when he was rejected by the Russians for purchasing rockets?
-Elon Musk decided to build rockets himself after being rejected by the Russians due to the high cost of purchasing rockets for his Mars mission.
How does Elon Musk's approach to learning differ from traditional education?
-Elon Musk's approach to learning is self-directed and focused on practical application. He emphasizes understanding fundamental principles and connecting knowledge to real-world applications, rather than just memorization.
What is Elon Musk's opinion on the importance of reading?
-Elon Musk believes that reading extensively is crucial for self-education and success. He credits his own success to his extensive reading habits, starting from a young age.
What are two principles Elon Musk follows for knowledge acquisition and application?
-Elon Musk follows two principles: understanding fundamental principles before details (semantic tree approach) and connecting knowledge to practical application, which he demonstrated by using the knowledge from textbooks to create SpaceX rocket plans.
What does Elon Musk look for in potential candidates for SpaceX?
-Elon Musk values practical knowledge and skills over formal education. He is open to hiring applicants without college degrees if they demonstrate expertise and the ability to contribute to SpaceX.
How does Elon Musk's learning philosophy reflect in his approach to hiring at SpaceX?
-Elon Musk's hiring philosophy at SpaceX reflects his learning approach by prioritizing practical knowledge and problem-solving abilities over formal educational credentials.
Outlines
🚀 Elon Musk's Unconventional Learning Journey
Elon Musk, despite obtaining two degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, does not attribute his success to formal education. Instead, he advocates for self-directed learning techniques. Musk left Stanford to co-found Zip2 and has been critical of the modern education system, believing it lacks emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving. He sought guidance from experts like Jim Cantrell, borrowed specialized textbooks, and applied the knowledge to develop SpaceX's rocket plans. Musk's approach to learning involves understanding fundamental principles deeply and connecting new information to existing knowledge, which he demonstrates by surrounding himself with top experts and applying what he learns.
📚 The Power of Reading and Knowledge Application
The paragraph highlights the importance of constant reading and knowledge application for success, exemplified by figures like Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, and Mark Cuban. Elon Musk's self-education in rocket science through extensive reading and practical application is emphasized. Musk follows two principles for learning: understanding fundamental principles before delving into details (the semantic tree approach) and connecting new information for better retention and application. His philosophy extends to his hiring practices at SpaceX, where he values practical knowledge over formal education. The summary encourages readers to build knowledge through books and apply it to achieve success.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Elon Musk
💡Self-Education
💡Critical Thinking
💡Problem Solving
💡Semantic Tree
💡Knowledge Acquisition
💡Rocket Science
💡Jim Cantrell
💡SpaceX
💡Reading Habits
💡Leadership
Highlights
Elon Musk does not attribute his success to formal college education.
Musk developed his own techniques for learning and acquiring knowledge.
He received a bachelor's degree in economics and physics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Musk left Stanford to co-found Zip2, a web software company, with his brother.
Musk is critical of the modern education system for not fostering rapid and thorough learning.
He emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Musk sought guidance from experts like Jim Cantrell to learn about satellite systems.
Cantrell described Musk as the smartest person he's ever met.
Musk's approach to learning involved reading textbooks and applying the knowledge.
He studied rocket science textbooks to develop plans for SpaceX rockets.
Musk believes in surrounding himself with the best and brightest in various fields.
He values the power of asking the right questions to expand human consciousness.
Musk was raised by books and credits his success to his extensive reading.
He read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica at the age of nine.
Musk recommends books on geniuses like Benjamin Franklin and Albert Einstein.
He follows two principles for knowledge acquisition: understanding fundamental principles and connecting information.
Musk looks for practical application of knowledge rather than just theoretical knowledge in candidates.
He does not require a college degree for job applicants at SpaceX.
Transcripts
although elon musk obtained not one but
two degrees he is not someone who
credits his college education to his
success in fact he feels just the
opposite elon has his own way of
learning anything he wants and is simply
because he's honed certain techniques
for learning and if you acquire these
techniques you can become much better
version of yourself that's for sure elon
musk attended the university of
pennsylvania and received his bachelor's
degree in both economics and physics he
intended to obtain his phd from stanford
out in california but left soon after to
co-found the web software company zip2
along with his brother kimball he never
looked back musk has been very vocal
about his criticisms of the modern
education system quite simply he doesn't
believe that students are learning
rapidly and thoroughly with that he
certainly doesn't think that there is
enough emphasis on critical thinking and
problem solving
musk decided to take his education into
his own hands turning instead to text
books and individuals with specialized
knowledge to help guide him
one of the earliest people he reached
out to is a man by the name of jim
cantrell who according to his linkedin
account describes himself as a subject
matter expert in satellite systems
cantrell worked for the french space
agency or cnes from 1990 to 1992 then
came back to the united states where he
began consulting for aerospace agencies
musk got the wind of cantrell and how
valuable a person he would be
so he called him out of the blue in
2001.
cantrell who had never heard of musk
would later describe him as the smartest
guy i've ever met period
musk told him over the phone that the
two of them needed to speak and he
eventually probed cantrell for
information about the possibility of
sending a spacecraft to mars
the future spacex founder had just been
rejected by the russians and was looking
for a little guidance
allegedly musk had gone to the russians
to purchase rockets in his quest to put
one on mars but the prize tag was
enormous
at the time musk was not a billionaire
though had made a few millions so he
could not afford what they were asking
his solution build the rockets himself
that's where cantrell came in
cantrell intrigued by the proposition
allowed musk to borrow some of his
textbooks he lent him titles such as
rocket propulsion elements fundamentals
of astrodynamics and the international
reference guide to space launch systems
just to name a few
musk poured over these textbooks
cantrell would later say that he was
unsure whether or not musk took notes on
the information in the books but what he
does know is that musk appeared to have
memorized close to everything he read
because of this musk was equipped with
the knowledge and the vocabulary to
carry on conversations about rocket
science astrodynamics and other topics
after reading the textbooks musk
developed the very plans for the rocket
that would eventually be used by spacex
cantrell recalls thinking to himself
i'll be damned that's why he's been
borrowing all my books the mechanical
engineer was impressed not only by how
much information musk had absorbed but
how much he had applied in addition to
collecting textbooks another principle
that musk follows in his quest for
self-education is surrounding himself
with the best and the brightest
he would strike up conversations with
people who were the best in their field
acquire their knowledge and expertise
through discussions and then try to
replicate that knowledge when he applied
it to his endeavors
such as with spacex
in fact jim cantrell actually worked
with musk at spacex for a time before
moving on to his own ventures
speaking in dubai at the world
government summit in 2017 musk said this
about the power of asking the right
questions
i came to the conclusion that what
really matters is trying to understand
the right questions to ask and the more
that we can increase the scope and scale
of human consciousness
the better we are able to ask these
questions
it is for this reason that he keeps a
close network of industry experts some
of whom he even employs you might be
asking just how much reading does it
take for someone to become a
self-educated rocket scientist the
answer is quite a lot in a 2017
interview with rolling stone musk
admitted that he was raised by books and
then my parents he credits his time
spent reading to how he became as
successful as he is today and his
reading history is an impressive one as
you might have imagined the famous adage
a jack of all trades is a master of none
is definitely not applicable to elon
because he is a great example of someone
who is very successful across multiple
areas when he was just nine years old he
reportedly read the entire encyclopedia
britannica then moved on to almost
exclusively reading science fiction
novels for about 10 hours per day it
also comes as no surprise that musk
recommends books about other geniuses
who have lived know to believe the book
benjamin franklin an american life by
walter isaacson as well as einstein his
life and universe also by isaacson from
reading all those books musk learnt a
great deal about leadership and purpose
to change the world for better place
although the average person probably
doesn't have 10 hours a day to dedicate
to reading some of the richest and most
talented people will tell you that one
of the secrets to their success is that
they read constantly warren buffett
reportedly reads between five to six
hours daily making his way through a
handful of newspapers and financial
documents other billionaires such as
bill gates oprah winfrey and mark cuban
all attest to the power of reading and
the impact has had on their success and
business acumen if you are interested in
building your knowledge through books
the way musk is done it won't guarantee
that you will be on the level of a
rocket scientist in a short amount of
time
musk can't even call himself a proper
rocket scientist he simply accrued an
impressive amount of information but
what separates musk from people who just
read books is that he applies the
knowledge he acquires
musk has stated that he has two basic
principles for knowledge acquisition and
application the first is that he reviews
knowledge in his words as sort of a
semantic tree he encourages people to
make sure you understand the fundamental
principles i.e the trunk and big
branches before you get into the leaves
or details of the thing is not enough to
just cover material in his opinion you
have to delve into every detail and
sector this is the principle he used in
teaching himself about rocket science
he studied every particularity to ensure
that he understood it completely his
second principle is that it is nearly
impossible to remember what you can't
connect the correct function of our
brains and acquiring knowledge is not
just store random facts in order to
learn the way elon musk has learned we
have to practice putting that
information to use
musk didn't merely memorize what he'd
read about in those early textbooks lent
to him by cantrell he actually used the
material to create the plans for the
rockets that spacex would eventually
send into orbit he follows a building
out philosophy
start with the base add more knowledge
as time goes on and then apply from
there or another way to put it is that
you should tackle the core first before
you get caught up in the more
superficial details the spacex founders
thoughts on education even extended to
what he looks for in potential
candidates he's famously said that if an
applicant doesn't have a college degree
that doesn't preclude them from getting
a job musk is certainly someone who
practices what he preaches in that
regard and that's it for now don't
forget to subscribe hit the notification
bell and until next time
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