Vitalik Buterin to Elon Musk: Defiance Has Virtue, Tesla CEO’s Top 5 Boldest Moments

Key Takeaways

• Vitalik Buterin has reassured Elon Musk on X.
• The Tesla CEO showed a rare sense of uncertainty on X.
• Elon Musk has shown moments of public defiance throughout his career.

Vitalik Buterin, the Canadian co-founder of Ethereum (ETH), has taken to X to reassure Elon Musk after the Tesla CEO questioned, “Sometimes I wonder if I’m too defiant.”

Buterin, who has seen the positives in Musk’s defiant past, replied that there were essential virtues in the act of defiance. 

“There is also important virtue in focusing on building a compelling and admirable alternative,” Buterin wrote on X,  adding “I think it would benefit both your goals for humanity and your happiness to put a few more points into the latter. But I am just one observer.”

Billionaire Musk is known for his bold and often controversial decisions. His expansive career has been highlighted by several defiant moments in which he challenged public expectations and regulatory officials.

Here are Musk’s top 5 most defiant moments.

Musk’s Takeover of X, Formerly Twitter (2022)

One of Musk’s most infamous moments was his controversial takeover of X, formerly Twitter. 

After almost a year of the most chaotic back and forth in Silicon Valley history, the eccentric Tesla CEO took over the reins of the big blue bird. 

Instead of addressing concerns from investors and the public, Musk quickly changed his X bio to “chief twit” and tweeted, “The bird is free.”

Tesla Staying Open During the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020)

In May 2022, much of the world was forced to close up shop during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in a classic showing of Musk’s defiance, Tesla’s California factory reopened  for business.

Writing on Twitter, just a few months before taking it over, Musk wrote, “If anyone is arrested, I ask that it only be me.”

Musk received a flurry of criticism for disregarding public health regulations and potentially endangering the lives of his staff. On the other hand, some of his fans commended the CEO’s commitment to his business.

Musk Launches Tesla Roadster Into Space on the Falcon Heavy (2018)

In 2018, Musk sent his personal Tesla roadster into the stratosphere on SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy.

According to NASA data , the red sports car, which is being “driven” by a mannequin named “Starman,” is not likely to pass another planet until 2035.

Musk Tweets That He’s Taking Tesla Private (2018)

Musk caused carnage with investors when he tweeted that he was considering  taking Tesla private at $420 per share in 2018.

The Tesla CEO faced a fraud trial after investors claimed the tweet lost them millions of dollars when the deal never went through.

Despite facing a flurry of legal consequences, including a $20 million fine and stepping down as Tesla’s chairman, Musk remained defiant in his stance. 

Musk told a court in 2023 that he was trying to do the “right thing” when he posted the tweet and was cleared of any wrongdoing by the jury. 

X Closes Down Operations in Brazil (2024)

Musk’s X announced it would shut down its operations in Brazil following a legal battle with a top Brazilian judge over the social media platform’s responsibilities to combat disinformation.

The X owner sparked a conflict with Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes when he defied orders to block certain accounts on his platform, claiming to do so would infringe on free speech.

About the Author

Kurt Robson

Kurt Robson is a London-based reporter at CCN with a diverse background across several prominent news outlets. Having transitioned into the world of technology journalism several years ago, Kurt has developed a keen fascination with all things AI. Kurt’s reporting blends a passion for innovation with a commitment to delivering insightful, accurate and engaging stories on the cutting edge of technology.

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