The Genius Who Crashed the Plane: Elon Musk’s Wild Ride at Twitter

You think you know the story: Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur, crumbles under the weight of his ego. He swoops in to save Twitter, slashes jobs, tanking the company. And yet, we’re left wondering: how could a genius be so, well, stupid?

But is it that simple? New books on Musk’s Twitter takeover – Character Limit, Extremely Hardcore, and Battle for the Bird – offer more than just a recap of the drama. They’re a wild-eyed ride into the depths of Musk’s psyche, where fact meets fiction, and logic goes out the window.

The books detail the chaos that erupted as Musk’s Twitter team crumbled under his ambition. Scenes of former friends and hangers-on, like Musk’s own son, making demands of employees, read like a bad Tarantino flick. Even the books’ publishers, Morgan Stanley, were brought to their knees, said a source.

But what’s most flabbergasting is how Musk could ever agree to buy Twitter in the first place. A $44-billion deal that was always a sinking ship, with unsavvy investors and dodgy partners. It’s like watching a genius crash a plane, destroying all on board.

And yet, as we gnash our teeth at Musk’s ineptitude, we can’t help but wonder: is he really as thick-headed as he seems? The books insist that, despite his many flaws, Musk remains a genius, rooted in the physical world, driven by an insatiable quest for progress. Maybe.

Walter Isaacson’s new book, Elon Musk, offers a unique glimpse into that world, exposing Musk’s relentless focus and "strength of will." His previous book, too, explored the "embodied genius" of Musk’s manufacturing wizardry. It’s a quality akin to that of great athletes, who, when in the zone, see nothing but the game.

In the end, the mystery of Elon Musk lies in the silence that precedes a free throw, as David Foster Wallace once wrote. Is he a mystic, an idiot, or both? One thing’s for sure: when he bought Twitter, he was thinking nothing at all. Perhaps the primary reason his free throw went awry was a Tolstoyan irony: a genius of the physical world, buying a company built for words.

Read more:

Meet the Tesla Cybercab, Elon Musk’s autonomous robo-taxi

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Don’t miss: In space, no one can hear Musk’s rivals scream

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“South Africa is on the brink of cyber chaos as the perfect storm of economic uncertainty and rising costs of living creates the perfect conditions for cyber thugs to exploit the vulnerable.

As cash-strapped citizens struggle to stay afloat, they’re forced to wade through a sea of social engineering and phishing scams. And Armand Kruger, head of cyber security at NEC XON, is sounding the alarm: “The traditional approach to cyber security is dead. We need a radical shift in mindset to anticipate and prevent attacks, not just respond to them after they’ve caused damage.”

Kruger is calling for a “depth charge” approach to cyber security, where the goal is to eliminate the opportunity for threats to even occur. “If a hacker doesn’t have a chance to hack, they can’t do any damage. It’s like removing oxygen from a fire – the flames may still be there, but the risk is contained and the damage is minimal.”

He’s aware that this new approach may be tough for the South African market to grasp, but he’s pushing for it because the stakes are too high to settle for anything less. “We’re at war. We need to be proactive, not just reactive. We need to take the battle to the bad guys and show them that we won’t be taken for a ride.”

BOMBSHELL: SABC+ Grabs Half a Million New Sign-Ups in Just 3.5 Months!

But How Long Can This Winning Streak Last?

In a shocking move, SABC+ has unleashed a tidal wave of new registrations, with a whopping 500,000 subscribers joining the platform in just 3.5 months!

But what’s behind this meteoric rise? We dive deep into the numbers to uncover the secrets behind SABC+’s success.

From Revamp to Victory: SABC+’s winning formula

The revamped platform, launched in July, has been a game-changer, offering catch-up content, video on-demand, and live streaming of TV channels and radio stations. And with its new looks, SABC+ is raking in the subscribers!

But it’s not just the revamp that’s working magic. The SABC has also been flexing its marketing muscles, pumping out promotional efforts and partnering with big events like the 2024 Paris Olympics, Afcon 2023/2024, and popular shows like B’Dazzled.

SABC’s Future: D-To-H Satellite Solution on the Horizon?

But in a move that’s got everyone talking, the SABC is on the hunt for a partner to launch its own direct-to-home satellite solution, set to take on the likes of Openview. Could this be the game-changer that secures SABC+’s future?

And What About Finances?

But what about the SABC’s budget woes? In a surprising move, the public broadcaster has announced plans to pivot to satellite, citing the analogue switch-off and revenue losses for the switchoff. Will this move pay off, or will the SABC’s financial woes persist?

Stay Tuned: The Battle for TV Supremacy Has Just Begun!

South Africa is About to Give Up on the "Dinosaur" of a Car Industry – Electric Vehicles are the Future!

Warning: You’re about to witness a revolution in the making. Get ready to have your mind blown!

At the South African Auto Week, President Cyril Ramaphosa dropped some atomic bombshell news: the government is working on a white paper to revitalize the country’s automotive industry, and it’s all about electric vehicles!

Think about it: electrify your ride, and Jabulani your future!

According to the President, the world is moving away from internal combustion engines, and South Africa must adapt – or risk going the way of the dinosaurs. But, here’s the good news: EVs present a massive opportunity for industrialization and job creation, while promoting green energy and skills development.

So, what does it take to accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles? Simple: manufacturers need incentives, and consumers need lower prices and tax rebates. That’s right, folks, the government is willing to do what it takes to make EVs accessible to all, not just the 1%.

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, National Treasury, and Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources are all working together to ensure South Africa becomes a globally competitive automotive hub. Get ready for a new energy vehicle policy that’s inclusive of alternative technologies like hybrids and plug-in hybrids!

The game-changer? South Africa is about to take a bold step towards a greener, more sustainable future – and it’s about to leave the competition in the dust! Who’s ready to cruise into the 21st century?

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The Top Tech Stories That Will Blow Your Mind!

Microscopic Marvels Take Center Stage

"Get ready to gaze into the tiny and the unknown! A stunning new collection of microscopic photographs has been unveiled, showcasing the intricate world of water fleas, embryos, and more. Prepare to have your mind blown!"

The Electric Revolution in Africa Has Only Just Begun

"Think electric vehicles are just for cars? Think again! In Africa, e-bikes and e-motorcycles are leading the charge, revolutionizing urban transportation, reducing emissions, and putting the brakes on fuel expenses. The future is electric, and it’s coming fast! Read more on The Economist (behind paywall)."

The Feds Are Cracking Down on Banxso

"Financial drama has reached a fever pitch! The Financial Intelligence Centre has collapsed on Banxso, freezing their accounts and suspecting them of running a ‘criminal enterprise.’ But Banxso claims they’re the victims of hackers and are offering refunds. What’s really going on? Get the inside scoop on Moneyweb."

Starship is About to Change the Game… Literally

"Get ready to blast off to the cosmos! SpaceX’s Starship has just launched, marking a major breakthrough in space exploration. This marvel of engineering could make space travel cheaper, more frequent, and just plain cool! Read more on The Economist (behind paywall)."

X is About to Use Your Posts for AI Training (And There’s No Opting Out!)

"Hey, creators! You might want to think twice about posting on X. The platform has just changed its terms of service to allow them to use your content for AI training, no opt-out necessary. Creators are crying foul. What’s at stake? Read more on 80 Level."

The Next Big Thing in Sci-Fi is Coming!

"Get ready to binge-watch the new season of Silo, a post-apocalyptic drama that’s taken the world by storm. The second season premieres November 15. Watch the trailer now and get ready to be hooked!"

How Do Messaging Apps Make Money? The Answer Might Surprise You!

"Ever wonder how WhatsApp makes money? (Aside from being free, of course.) Get the inside scoop on how they do it, and what it means for the future of messaging apps. Read more on BBC News."

23andMe’s Board Resigned in One Day. What Happened?

"What do you do when you lose a $6 billion valuation in a single year? 23andMe’s board of directors found out. Get the inside story of what went wrong and how the company is trying to bounce back. Read more on Fortune."

Bluesky Just Won Half a Million New Users in One Day!

"What’s behind the rush to Bluesky? With X’s new blocking policy tanking their platform, users are flocking to the alternative. Get the inside scoop on what this means for the future of social media. Read more on Mashable."

The CIO Revolution: How GenAI is Transforming the Job Description

Get ready for the biggest shake-up in the tech industry: generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is here to stay, and CIOs are leading the charge. At the annual ITWeb Brainstorm CIO Banquet, held in Sandton, we got a sneak peek at the latest survey results, and the picture is clear: GenAI adoption has more than doubled among South African CIOs in the past year.

But what does this mean for the CIOs themselves? Are they poised to take on even more responsibilities, or are they feeling the pressure of these rapidly changing times?

According to the survey, 38% of CIOs have already adopted GenAI, up from just 16% last year. And this isn’t just a passing trend – GenAI is here to stay, with 50% of respondents saying it’s being used in cyber security, 43% in employee productivity, and 38% in knowledge management.

But what does this mean for the CIOs themselves? Will they be shouldering even more responsibilities, or will this be a case of "out with the old, in with the new"? The survey suggests that 59% of CIOs are 40-50 years old, with 26.6% already 50-60. Will they be content to stick with the status quo, or will they be looking to retire, move up to the CEO role, or make a bold move to another country?

And what about the threat of emigration? 76% of CIOs say they plan to stay in South Africa – a heartening result, considering the often-dour outlook on the brain drain and emigration of taxpayers from the country.

But what about cyber security? 55% of CIOs now have responsibility for their companies’ security, up from 49% last year. Is this a sign that the CIO is becoming even more vital to the organization, or simply another sign that the buck stops with them?

The survey results are in, and the implications are clear: the CIO role is evolving at a breakneck pace. Will they be able to adapt, or will they be left behind in the dust? The future is uncertain, but one thing is clear: GenAI is here to stay, and the CIOs who can harness its power will be the ones leading the charge.

The Full Report

Get access to the preliminary results of the ITWeb Brainstorm CIO Survey 2024 by downloading the presentation slides here.