Is Tesla's Elon Musk LOSING IT, Or Was His Appearance On The Joe Rogan Experience One Of His SMARTEST Moves?

The podcast heard around the world last week was the Joe Rogan Experience, which featured Tesla's Elon Musk. But it wasn't because Musk delivered some jaw-dropping news regarding its products.

It was because Musk was seen during the two plus hour podcast freely drinking whiskey and took a puff from a marijuana-filled joint. The image was splashed across the leading business press and shares of TSLA dropped.

You wouldn't have known it today as shares were up, and returned the losses, at the electric vehicle automaker.

Having listened to the podcast, I can honestly say I grew increasingly frustrated with Musk's perspective and answers. Take, for example, his stance on taking a "fatalistic" perspective of the world and rather dystopian views of artificial intelligence. Later on in the podcast he then counters he's optimistic — erm, no, you can't have it both ways, Elon.

And as someone who works in AI and talks with leading AI researchers, there's no question that Musk is being an alarmist with his talking points. Sure, he has a point with proactive, government regulation over AI that should be starting now but that's where he stops making sense. The rest after that is hyperbole.

While many were quick to write off Musk as having "lost it," I think there's another distinct possibility here. TSLA has been plagued by short sellers looking to down TSLA due to its poor financials and Musk needs to get this monkey off his back. By doing what he did the stock tanked, which provided an opportunity for many institutional investors to cover their short positions, take gains and move on.

As I previously noted, the stock was up BIG Monday. I wouldn't be surprised to see it end the week up and to the right.

So, I've got to ask, Spies: As we sit in the bleachers watching the show go on, do YOU think Musk is LOSING IT, or was the Joe Rogan Experience podcast one of his SMARTEST moves?

runninglogan1 - 9/11/2018 4:23:24 AM

-1 Boost

Musk is an eccentric genius and a true visionary. Being strange goes with the territory. If you've read anything about Steve Jobs then you know he was a total weirdo.

MDarringer - 9/11/2018 8:10:58 AM

+5 Boost

Elon is showing signs of addiction. His behavior has the textbook cues professionals would look for. #drugs

SanJoseDriver - 9/11/2018 3:13:00 PM

+2 Boost

You realize pot is legal in California and 8 other states right? Canada will also be legal this year. It is far less harmful than alcohol, non-addicting, but not great for productivity.

https://www.businessinsider.com/legal-marijuana-states-2018-1

mre30 - 9/11/2018 8:35:31 AM

+6 Boost

So, no one, anywhere, would say that the leader of a public company, Tesla AND the leader of the ONE VENDOR (i.e. SpaceX) singlehandedly running America's space program should comport themselves publicly, the way Musk is.

If I was a Tesla owner (I'm not), I would be disappointed and maybe end the lease early however as an American, I am shocked the he clearly has a drug problem and is also effectively running our space program.

PUGPROUD - 9/11/2018 11:31:14 AM

+4 Boost

Who should play Musk himself in TESLA DAWN, THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ELON MUSK...
so many choices but my picks would either be Randy Quaid or Nick Nolte? Who would you type cast?

Vette71 - 9/11/2018 12:02:10 PM

+3 Boost

Eccentric? Sacha Baron Cohen.

malba2367 - 9/11/2018 12:03:41 PM

+5 Boost

Most Visionaries like Musk are very eccentric individuals, Steve Jobs included. The difference is that Steve Jobs maintained a very normal public persona. As the CEO of a company dependent on constant outside financing to keep the lights on, his appearance on the Joe Rogan show was a horrible move.

TomM - 9/11/2018 12:29:17 PM

-8 Boost

Elon Musk is an Entrepreneur - and is highly intelligent - but fails to learn about markets through the experience of others. THe problem is - Elon Musk - unlike Jobs - is much like Trump - an egomaniac who needs the world to revolve around him. So he does things HE feels are okay but in practice are not actually. A great example is when Trump says something is not ILLEGAL - he is not a lawyer and rarely can support his statements.

PUGPROUD - 9/11/2018 3:56:29 PM

+3 Boost

TomM, actually Musk is like Obama...both became rich on Hope and Promise hype and con. Wait a minute I take it back. Musk got some results.*

*TomM is now fuming and composing his next tirade. You cannot have a discussion today with most liberals about anything without them putting hate on the president. The question was about Musk and not a mention of Trump. "And the haters hate!"