In an excerpt from his upcoming biography of Elon Musk, Walter Isaacson reveals a meeting between the two billionaires in early 2022 where they clashed over their visions for philanthropy and Mars.
Gates, who has been a major philanthropist for decades, argued that Musk’s focus on colonizing Mars was unrealistic and a waste of money. “I’m not a Mars person,” Gates said. “He’s overboard on Mars. I let him explain his Mars thinking to me, which is kind of bizarre thinking.”
Musk, for his part, defended his vision of Mars, arguing that it was necessary to ensure the survival of humanity. “I think it’s important to have a backup plan,” he said. “If something happens to Earth, we need to have a place to go.”
The two billionaires also disagreed on the best way to address climate change. Gates argued that batteries would not be able to power large semitrucks and that solar energy would not be a major part of solving the climate problem. Musk disagreed, arguing that batteries and solar energy were essential to decarbonizing the transportation sector.
The meeting between Gates and Musk is a glimpse into the contrasting visions of two of the world’s richest men. Gates is a more traditional philanthropist who focuses on addressing immediate problems, while Musk is a visionary who is willing to take risks on long-term projects. It remains to be seen which approach will be more successful in the long run.
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