Uncomfortably Brilliant <\/h2>\n
New biographies\u2062 of Musk and\u200b Bankman-Fried, \u200c Elon Musk <\/em>and Going \u200cInfinite,<\/em> reveal \u2063instances where these\u2064 individuals had to \u2062consciously learn what comes\u200d naturally to most children. Bankman-Fried\u200b had to\u2064 teach\u200d himself to \u2064\u201csmile when\u2063 I\u2019m \u200dsupposed \u200bto smile.\u201d\u2063 He began using phrases like\u200b \u201cYup\u201d \u200cand \u200d\u201cAwesome,\u201d regardless of whether he agreed with the conversation,\u2062 because people\u200d appreciate affirmation. Musk only discovered through reading\u2062 that people don’t always say exactly\u200b what they mean. They acquired skills such \u2064as\u2064 making eye contact<\/a> and expressing themselves through vocal\u2062 intonation. <\/p>\n
Both men gravitated towards STEM \u200ddisciplines and \u2062rejected conventional\u2062 religious\u200b explanations for life’s profound questions. However, their early exposure to\u200b religion influenced\u200b their \u2063moral \u2062compass as adults. <\/p>\n

\u2018I Didn\u2019t Think Anyone Actually\u200b Believed in God\u2019 <\/h2>\n
Bankman-Fried’s parents were not particularly traditional. They did not \u200bcelebrate birthdays\u200d and even forgot to observe Hanukkah one\u2064 year. No one seemed to mind, so they didn’t reinstate \u2062the tradition. When SBF was \u200c10 years old, he discovered that his classmate Henry\u200d genuinely believed in God. Until then, comfortably nestled in his \u200dBerkeley bubble, Bankman-Fried assumed that God was akin \u2063to\u200d Santa Claus: a delusion held by some children but \u200cnot by any rational adults. As author\u200b Michael Lewis describes it, SBF \u2063realized that “the world could be completely\u200c wrong about \u2064something, and he\u200d could be completely right.”<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n
He embraced his parents’\u200d utilitarianism, which eventually led him to Effective \u200dAltruism, a philosophy that\u2063 encourages accumulating significant wealth and then \u200cdonating\u2062 it to \u200dthe most efficient charitable causes. SBF later became involved in a subset of EA known as longtermism<\/a>, which focuses on existential threats to humanity’s \u2062future, such as asteroid impacts or rogue AI. The underlying idea\u2062 is that safeguarding all of\u2064 posterity \u2064outweighs the importance of saving one\u2063 child in Africa today. <\/p>\n
Charity Without God\u2019s Moral Law<\/h2>\n
The result is a philosophy devoid of God, which he found absurd, or emotions, which he found perplexing. Instead, he \u200dtransformed morality into a technocratic\u200c game. Actual human \u200cbeings \u2064remained at a comfortable distance, as did \u2062any sense of\u200b self-discipline or virtue. Personal vices and acts of kindness became inconsequential when weighed against the fate of humanity. <\/p>\n
The game was simple and easily quantifiable: maximize earnings, optimize donations. Loving\u2064 one’s neighbor became a rounding error in this calculation. He regarded art, religion, and books \u2063as a waste of time, suitable only for individuals lost in delusion and subjectivity, far removed from his clean, objective worldview. In his view, any book\u200d “should have \u200cbeen a six -paragraph blog post<\/a>.”<\/p>\n
Christian Upbringing and Early \u2063Skepticism<\/h2>\n
In contrast, author \u200bWalter Isaacson recounts how\u2062 Musk’s mother took him to Sunday school in South Africa\u200b at\u2062 the local Anglican Church. She taught there, and Musk\u2062 would challenge the \u2062Bible stories\u2062 she\u200d shared. Miracles \u200bpuzzled him. \u2062”What do you mean, the waters \u200dparted?” \u200bhe would ask. “That’s not possible.” <\/p>\n
<\/div>\n
He was baptized and began receiving communion. However, he \u2063found communion to \u2063be strange as well.\u2064 He wondered, “Is\u200c this [body and blood of Christ] a peculiar metaphor for cannibalism?” Eventually, he started staying home and \u2062reading on Sunday\u200b mornings instead. <\/p>\n
His \u2063father, despite being an abusive and unpredictable man, challenged \u2064Musk’s \u200cstrictly materialistic worldview. “There are \u200cno atheist pilots,” his father would assert, to\u2064 which \u2063Musk would retort, “There are no atheists \u200dat exam time.” Nevertheless, Musk came to believe that science provided\u2062 sufficient answers to \u2064life’s questions, except\u200b for the fundamental one: “Where did the universe come from, and why does \u2062it exist?”\u200b <\/p>\n
Science Fiction as an Answer to\u2064 Life’s Mysteries<\/h2>\n
In search of an answer to that question, he turned to science fiction authors like Robert \u200cHeinlein, Isaac Asimov, and Douglas Adams, the author\u2064 of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy<\/em>. He concluded that humanity needed\u200b to \u2063expand its scope of exploration, such as becoming a multi-planetary species, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the universe and its\u2064 purpose. <\/p>\n
Rather than solely focusing on accumulating wealth for some hypothetical future \u2064good, Musk \u2062dedicated himself to solving the problems that captivated \u200bhim: space\u2063 travel, \u2064clean energy, safe AI development, and\u2062 transportation. \u200dHe pursued these goals by establishing \u200ccompanies\u200d that directly addressed these issues, refusing to\u2063 simply donate money from a distance. <\/p>\n
Although he had distanced himself\u200d from his childhood \u2062religion,\u2062 Christianity still influenced his words \u2064and actions. \u2063He \u200chad\u200d imbibed the teachings of a \u2063religion that extols not only charitable giving but also lives devoted \u200bto \u2063acts\u2062 of kindness. \u200cHis fascination with science \u2064fiction never waned, \u200dand he even invested in transhumanist endeavors<\/a> that\u200d clashed with Christian doctrine.<\/p>\n
Defense of the Human Being<\/h2>\n
During a discussion, Google co-founder Larry Page argued \u200dthat even if AI eventually\u200d eradicates humanity, it would simply be the next stage of\u200b evolution. Musk countered \u2063by asserting that “human\u2064 consciousness is a precious flicker of light in the universe, and we should not let it be\u200c extinguished.” Page dismissed this \u2062sentiment as sentimental nonsense\u200b and labeled Musk a “specist.” <\/p>\n
Musk’s response was not driven\u200d by sentimentality. He drew upon the Christian belief that humans were created in\u200b the image of God, and \u200ctherefore possess\u200d a\u2062 unique place\u200b in the grand tapestry of creation.\u200c Genesis, not science,\u2063 formed the foundation \u2062of his retort to Page:\u2063 “Well, yes, I am pro-human. I f-cking like humanity, dude.” <\/p>\n
Musk\u200c founded SpaceX with the hope that\u2064 a multi-planetary civilization<\/a> \u2064would decrease the likelihood of human extinction. He established\u200b Neuralink to \u200bdevelop a connection between humans\u200c and computers, ensuring that AI does not subjugate \u2064or extinguish humanity. Rather than simply\u2063 making\u200c distant\u2062 donations, he actively engages with the pressing issues of our time. <\/p>\n
As his first wife, Justine, realized, \u2064Musk is driven by a desire to solve problems, not \u2062solely by the pursuit of wealth. \u200cThis mirrors the model \u200cof a God who \u2064became incarnate in\u200d the messiness \u200bof \u200dour\u2062 world,\u200c rather than remaining \u2063distant and benevolent. In\u200b SBF’s worldview, he himself became a god,\u200c seeking to amass wealth and power to shape the\u200c future of humanity.<\/p>\n
SBF and Musk in Contrast <\/h2>\n
While\u200c Musk expressed concerns about \u2064declining population and had 11 children, SBF opted\u2064 against having children in favor of longtermism, considering all future generations as \u2064his progeny. Musk could genuinely experience\u200b pain in his relationships\u2063 with family and romantic partners. SBF’s on-again, off-again relationship with \u2062Alameda Research\u2062 CEO Caroline Ellison is peculiar and manipulative<\/a>. <\/p>\n
While Musk took\u2063 significant risks with SpaceX and Tesla to propel human \u2062progress, SBF \u2063created FTX, essentially a crypto casino that profited from reckless \u2063speculation. \u2064When the money poured in, Musk reinvested it into his companies. SBF \u2063lacked the discipline to utilize it wisely, instead squandering it on overpriced sponsorships<\/a>, a bankman-fried<\/a>-parents-16-4m-bahamas-home-meant-for-ftx-staff\/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Bahamas mansion for his parents<\/a>, and foolish political expenditures<\/a>. The flaw in EA lies \u2063in human fallibility. <\/p>\n
This \u200bis not to say that Musk\u200c embodies the Christian life. He is not even a Christian. \u200dHowever, the\u200b influence of his parents’ Christianity is evident, particularly \u2064when\u2064 compared to SBF’s utilitarian worldview and the consequences that ensued. Bankman-Fried became the embodiment of ethics \u2062detached from tradition \u2014 a genius unbound\u200d by \u200dreligion. Now, he has become a punchline. <\/p>\n
<\/div>\n
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
rnrn <\/p>\n
How did the absence of religious \u2064influence in the lives of both individuals contribute\u200d to their ability to approach the\u2062 bigger questions of life\u200b and morality with\u200c a rational and pragmatic mindset<\/h2>\n
Gainst the grand vision \u2062of long-term human survival. Bankman-Fried believed that decisions should be\u2062 based on logic and the greater good, rather than emotions or religious beliefs.<\/p>\n
Similarly, Musk’s upbringing also influenced his perspectives on religion. As a child, he was not raised with any religious beliefs and\u200c considered himself agnostic. In an interview with Rolling Stone, he stated, “I didn’t\u200c think anyone actually believed\u2062 in\u200b God.” However, \u200bhe also acknowledged the role of religion in shaping \u200csocietal norms and values.<\/p>\n
While both individuals gravitated towards scientific and engineering fields, their lack of religious influence did not negate their ability to ponder \u200dthe bigger questions of life and morality. In fact, it seems to have propelled \u200bthem towards addressing these questions with a rational and pragmatic approach.<\/p>\n
A Singular \u200cFocus on \u200bthe Future<\/h2>\n
The lives and achievements of Elon Musk and \u2062Sam Bankman-Fried exemplify the increasing trend of exceptional individuals who possess extraordinary technical abilities and innovative \u2062visions for the future. These individuals prioritize\u2064 the advancement of humanity and tackling existential challenges over conforming to societal norms.<\/p>\n
However, their journey\u200c towards success has not been without its challenges. Their social awkwardness and unconventional\u200c thinking have sometimes hindered their ability to connect with others on a deeper level. While their intelligence and drive have propelled them to great heights, they\u2063 have \u200balso encountered criticism and skepticism.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, both Musk and Bankman-Fried have persevered,\u2062 using their unique perspectives and talents to\u2064 make a significant impact on the world. Through their\u2063 businesses and philanthropic efforts, they contribute to shaping the future of technology, \u2064space exploration, and social change.<\/p>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n
The lives of Elon Musk and \u200dSam Bankman-Fried highlight the complex interplay between exceptional\u200c talents, social dynamics, and the pursuit of a greater purpose. Their unconventional paths and willingness to challenge \u200bsocietal \u200cconventions\u2062 have allowed them to \u2062redefine what it\u200c means to be successful and make a difference.<\/p>\n
While their \u200dlack of religious influence may\u2064 have shaped their approach to morality \u2063and decision-making, it has not diminished their\u2062 capacity to think critically and contemplate the \u2064profound questions of human existence. Instead, they have embarked on a journey \u2062to create\u2063 a future that aligns with their values and vision, one that transcends traditional boundaries.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Comedian Theo Von playfully suggested on “The Joe Rogan Experience” that billionaires resemble extraterrestrials, with peculiar figures and pale complexions due to limited sun exposure. Their distinctiveness prompts humorous comparisons, like Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg being a lizard and X CEO Elon Musk as a Martian longing for his celestial abode.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1418,"featured_media":2064353,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[546],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2064352","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-federalist"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2064352","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1418"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2064352"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2064352\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2064353"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2064352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2064352"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2064352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}