I didn’t think of it as all that risky I mean I was so excited about what we were
mean I was so excited about what we were
mean I was so excited about what we were doing it’s true I could have gone
doing it’s true I could have gone
doing it’s true I could have gone bankrupt but you know I had a set of
bankrupt but you know I had a set of
bankrupt but you know I had a set of skills that were highly employable and
skills that were highly employable and
skills that were highly employable and in fact my parents were still willing to
in fact my parents were still willing to
in fact my parents were still willing to let me go back to Harvard and finish my
let me go back to Harvard and finish my
let me go back to Harvard and finish my education if I wanted to you’ve always
education if I wanted to you’ve always
education if I wanted to you’ve always got a job with Navy and the only the
got a job with Navy and the only the
got a job with Navy and the only the thing that was scary to me wasn’t
thing that was scary to me wasn’t
thing that was scary to me wasn’t quitting and starting the company it was
quitting and starting the company it was
quitting and starting the company it was when I started hiring my friends and
when I started hiring my friends and
when I started hiring my friends and they expected to be paid and then we had
they expected to be paid and then we had
they expected to be paid and then we had customers who went bankrupt customers
customers who went bankrupt customers
customers who went bankrupt customers that I’d counted on to come through and
that I’d counted on to come through and
that I’d counted on to come through and so then I got this incredibly
so then I got this incredibly
so then I got this incredibly conservative approach that I wanted to
conservative approach that I wanted to
conservative approach that I wanted to have enough money in the bank to pay a
have enough money in the bank to pay a
have enough money in the bank to pay a year’s worth of payroll even if we
year’s worth of payroll even if we
year’s worth of payroll even if we didn’t get any any payments coming in
didn’t get any any payments coming in
didn’t get any any payments coming in and you know I’m almost fruit of that
and you know I’m almost fruit of that
and you know I’m almost fruit of that the whole time we have about 10 billion
the whole time we have about 10 billion
the whole time we have about 10 billion now which is pretty much enough for the
now which is pretty much enough for the
now which is pretty much enough for the next year anyway you know I if you’re
next year anyway you know I if you’re
next year anyway you know I if you’re gonna start a company it takes so much
gonna start a company it takes so much
gonna start a company it takes so much energy that you know you it better
energy that you know you it better
energy that you know you it better overcome your your feeling of risk I
overcome your your feeling of risk I
overcome your your feeling of risk I don’t think that you necessarily if
don’t think that you necessarily if
don’t think that you necessarily if you’re gonna start a company should do
you’re gonna start a company should do
you’re gonna start a company should do it at the start of your career I think
it at the start of your career I think
it at the start of your career I think there’s a lot to be said for working for
there’s a lot to be said for working for
there’s a lot to be said for working for a company learning how they do things
a company learning how they do things
a company learning how they do things you know if you’re young it’s hard to go
you know if you’re young it’s hard to go
you know if you’re young it’s hard to go lease premises they made that hard for
lease premises they made that hard for
lease premises they made that hard for me you couldn’t rent a car when you were
me you couldn’t rent a car when you were
me you couldn’t rent a car when you were under 25 at the time so I was always
under 25 at the time so I was always
under 25 at the time so I was always taking taxis to go see customers and
taking taxis to go see customers and
taking taxis to go see customers and people would you know people say well
people would you know people say well
people would you know people say well we’re gonna go have a discussion in the
we’re gonna go have a discussion in the
we’re gonna go have a discussion in the bar well I go to the bar
and but you know that’s fun because i’ll
and but you know that’s fun because i’ll tell you when people are first skeptical
tell you when people are first skeptical
tell you when people are first skeptical and angle this kid doesn’t know anything
and angle this kid doesn’t know anything
and angle this kid doesn’t know anything then when you show them you’ve really
then when you show them you’ve really
then when you show them you’ve really got a good product you know something
got a good product you know something
got a good product you know something they actually tend to go overboard and
they actually tend to go overboard and
they actually tend to go overboard and they think whoa
they think whoa
they think whoa you know they know a lot let’s really do
you know they know a lot let’s really do
you know they know a lot let’s really do an incredible amount with these people
an incredible amount with these people
an incredible amount with these people so our youth at least in this country
so our youth at least in this country
so our youth at least in this country was a huge asset for us once we reached
was a huge asset for us once we reached
was a huge asset for us once we reached a certain threshold it is hard it’s hard
a certain threshold it is hard it’s hard
a certain threshold it is hard it’s hard to hire old older people because they’ll
to hire old older people because they’ll
to hire old older people because they’ll be a little bit conservative about
be a little bit conservative about
be a little bit conservative about whether they should come in and take the
whether they should come in and take the
whether they should come in and take the risk and it took three or four years
risk and it took three or four years
risk and it took three or four years before we could go out into the normal
before we could go out into the normal
before we could go out into the normal sort of employment but those those
sort of employment but those those
sort of employment but those those problems that come with starting the
problems that come with starting the
problems that come with starting the firm you better think of those as as
firm you better think of those as as
firm you better think of those as as part of the the pleasure part of the the
part of the the pleasure part of the the
part of the the pleasure part of the the challenge that that is part of the
challenge that that is part of the
challenge that that is part of the excitement my calendar gets very full
excitement my calendar gets very full
excitement my calendar gets very full with those and then at night after the
with those and then at night after the
with those and then at night after the kids have gone to bed I’m on email a
kids have gone to bed I’m on email a
kids have gone to bed I’m on email a great deal I get messages during the day
great deal I get messages during the day
great deal I get messages during the day that’s my chance to give long responses
that’s my chance to give long responses
that’s my chance to give long responses and then over the weekend I send a lot
and then over the weekend I send a lot
and then over the weekend I send a lot of mail as well as well I take two weeks
of mail as well as well I take two weeks
of mail as well as well I take two weeks a year to just go off and read and think
a year to just go off and read and think
a year to just go off and read and think where I’m not interrupted by work or
where I’m not interrupted by work or
where I’m not interrupted by work or anything else I’m just solidly trying to
anything else I’m just solidly trying to
anything else I’m just solidly trying to think about the future and people get to
think about the future and people get to
think about the future and people get to send me things to read as part of that
send me things to read as part of that
send me things to read as part of that so-called think week so it’s nice mix of
so-called think week so it’s nice mix of
so-called think week so it’s nice mix of things about 25% of the time then I’m
things about 25% of the time then I’m
things about 25% of the time then I’m out traveling around meeting with
out traveling around meeting with
out traveling around meeting with customers Europe Asia and that sort of
customers Europe Asia and that sort of
customers Europe Asia and that sort of helps me think okay do we have the right
helps me think okay do we have the right
helps me think okay do we have the right priorities what what are people
priorities what what are people
priorities what what are people responding well to and what would they
responding well to and what would they
responding well to and what would they they like to see us do better I’m Bill
they like to see us do better I’m Bill
they like to see us do better I’m Bill Gates chairman of Microsoft in this
Gates chairman of Microsoft in this
Gates chairman of Microsoft in this video you’re going to see the future
video you’re going to see the future
video you’re going to see the future Windows Microsoft first came up with the
Windows Microsoft first came up with the
Windows Microsoft first came up with the windows concept back in 1983 and today
windows concept back in 1983 and today
windows concept back in 1983 and today the leading software users have switched
the leading software users have switched
the leading software users have switched into the Windows environment it’s really
into the Windows environment it’s really
into the Windows environment it’s really incredible how quickly our powerful
incredible how quickly our powerful
incredible how quickly our powerful applications like Word and Excel and
applications like Word and Excel and
applications like Word and Excel and PowerPoint
PowerPoint
PowerPoint I’ve been adopted it’s not just
I’ve been adopted it’s not just
I’ve been adopted it’s not just Microsoft applications even companies
Microsoft applications even companies
Microsoft applications even companies like WordPerfect and Lotus have now come
like WordPerfect and Lotus have now come
like WordPerfect and Lotus have now come out with Windows applications and every
out with Windows applications and every
out with Windows applications and every week we see new innovative work it’s
week we see new innovative work it’s
week we see new innovative work it’s really attracting all the innovation in
really attracting all the innovation in
really attracting all the innovation in the industry we predicted this a long
the industry we predicted this a long
the industry we predicted this a long time ago and now it’s the future I
time ago and now it’s the future I
time ago and now it’s the future I talked to my dad I talked to Warren
talked to my dad I talked to Warren
talked to my dad I talked to Warren I talked to my wife Melinda so I have
I talked to my wife Melinda so I have
I talked to my wife Melinda so I have enough people that know me and actually
enough people that know me and actually
enough people that know me and actually know where my judgment isn’t its
know where my judgment isn’t its
know where my judgment isn’t its strongest where I might get overexcited
strongest where I might get overexcited
strongest where I might get overexcited about something or you know forget to
about something or you know forget to
about something or you know forget to think about something and so they’re
think about something and so they’re
think about something and so they’re good at correcting particularly Melinda
good at correcting particularly Melinda
good at correcting particularly Melinda good at correcting whatever those blind
good at correcting whatever those blind
good at correcting whatever those blind spots are and I think it’s good to
spots are and I think it’s good to
spots are and I think it’s good to encourage your friends and advisers to
encourage your friends and advisers to
encourage your friends and advisers to really give them that license you know I
really give them that license you know I
really give them that license you know I can go to a party and forget to say
can go to a party and forget to say
can go to a party and forget to say hello to various people or something
hello to various people or something
hello to various people or something that’s a very minor example of my
that’s a very minor example of my
that’s a very minor example of my clients a small number of people that
clients a small number of people that
clients a small number of people that you can turn to on on certain key things
you can turn to on on certain key things
you can turn to on on certain key things is a great great asset there is you’ve
is a great great asset there is you’ve
is a great great asset there is you’ve got to enjoy what you do every day and
got to enjoy what you do every day and
got to enjoy what you do every day and for me that’s working with very smart
for me that’s working with very smart
for me that’s working with very smart people it’s working on new problems you
people it’s working on new problems you
people it’s working on new problems you know every time we think hey we’ve had a
know every time we think hey we’ve had a
know every time we think hey we’ve had a little bit of success we’re pretty
little bit of success we’re pretty
little bit of success we’re pretty careful not to dwell on it too much
careful not to dwell on it too much
careful not to dwell on it too much because the bar gets raised you find an
because the bar gets raised you find an
because the bar gets raised you find an idea that requires three or four years
idea that requires three or four years
idea that requires three or four years of improvement and patience and really
of improvement and patience and really
of improvement and patience and really sticking with it
sticking with it
sticking with it that we’re very good at that take
that we’re very good at that take
that we’re very good at that take Windows which we bet our company on
Windows which we bet our company on
Windows which we bet our company on everybody who doubted that would succeed
everybody who doubted that would succeed
everybody who doubted that would succeed IBM did not support us in that it took
IBM did not support us in that it took
IBM did not support us in that it took longer than we expected over four years
longer than we expected over four years
longer than we expected over four years before finally graphical interface got
before finally graphical interface got
before finally graphical interface got popular and now people take it for
popular and now people take it for
popular and now people take it for granted it’s part of every personal
granted it’s part of every personal
granted it’s part of every personal computer and you just you just expect it
computer and you just you just expect it
computer and you just you just expect it to be there that was one of the grand
to be there that was one of the grand
to be there that was one of the grand successes of the company in the same way
successes of the company in the same way
successes of the company in the same way we’re betting on the internet that our
we’re betting on the internet that our
we’re betting on the internet that our tools there will be popular and that a
tools there will be popular and that a
tools there will be popular and that a few of these content plays that we’ve
few of these content plays that we’ve
few of these content plays that we’ve decided to get involved
decided to get involved
decided to get involved that the scale and and the users will
that the scale and and the users will
that the scale and and the users will make those in the great business are you
make those in the great business are you
make those in the great business are you happy which I get and what makes you
happy which I get and what makes you
happy which I get and what makes you happiest well I’m very happy I I’m lucky
happiest well I’m very happy I I’m lucky
happiest well I’m very happy I I’m lucky that I get to work on exactly the things
that I get to work on exactly the things
that I get to work on exactly the things I want to I get to work with brilliant
I want to I get to work with brilliant
I want to I get to work with brilliant people on interesting problems like
people on interesting problems like
people on interesting problems like malaria tuberculosis and you know I’m
malaria tuberculosis and you know I’m
malaria tuberculosis and you know I’m always learning always seen the progress
always learning always seen the progress
always learning always seen the progress that we’re making that’s why I love to
that we’re making that’s why I love to
that we’re making that’s why I love to come to India because there always is so
come to India because there always is so
come to India because there always is so much progress I’ve got a great family
much progress I’ve got a great family
much progress I’ve got a great family kids were are growing up very well I’m
kids were are growing up very well I’m
kids were are growing up very well I’m you know healthy the tools I can use to
you know healthy the tools I can use to
you know healthy the tools I can use to be curious that people I can meet you
be curious that people I can meet you
be curious that people I can meet you know I can’t imagine changing places
know I can’t imagine changing places
know I can’t imagine changing places with anyone my best business decisions
with anyone my best business decisions
with anyone my best business decisions really have to do with picking people
really have to do with picking people
really have to do with picking people and deciding to go into partnership with
and deciding to go into partnership with
and deciding to go into partnership with Paul Allen is is probably at the top of
Paul Allen is is probably at the top of
Paul Allen is is probably at the top of the list and then subsequently hiring a
the list and then subsequently hiring a
the list and then subsequently hiring a friend Steve Ballmer and having somebody
friend Steve Ballmer and having somebody
friend Steve Ballmer and having somebody who you totally trust who’s totally
who you totally trust who’s totally
who you totally trust who’s totally committed who shares your vision and he
committed who shares your vision and he
committed who shares your vision and he has a little bit different set of skills
has a little bit different set of skills
has a little bit different set of skills and also acts as a check on you you know
and also acts as a check on you you know
and also acts as a check on you you know some of the ideas you come up with you
some of the ideas you come up with you
some of the ideas you come up with you run by them because you know they’re
run by them because you know they’re
run by them because you know they’re gonna say hey wait a minute you know
gonna say hey wait a minute you know
gonna say hey wait a minute you know have you thought about this and that and
have you thought about this and that and
have you thought about this and that and just you know the the benefit of
just you know the the benefit of
just you know the the benefit of sparking off of somebody who’s who’s got
sparking off of somebody who’s who’s got
sparking off of somebody who’s who’s got that kind of brilliance it’s not only
that kind of brilliance it’s not only
that kind of brilliance it’s not only made it fun but it’s really led to a lot
made it fun but it’s really led to a lot
made it fun but it’s really led to a lot of success so picking picking a partners
of success so picking picking a partners
of success so picking picking a partners is crucial
is crucial
is crucial the thing that really drives me is
the thing that really drives me is
the thing that really drives me is building software products that can help
building software products that can help
building software products that can help people out that’s what I’ve been doing
people out that’s what I’ve been doing
people out that’s what I’ve been doing for over 20 years that’s what I’ll be
for over 20 years that’s what I’ll be
for over 20 years that’s what I’ll be doing the rest of my life
doing the rest of my life
doing the rest of my life well it’s a very competitive business
well it’s a very competitive business
well it’s a very competitive business and oh absolutely when you have the
and oh absolutely when you have the
and oh absolutely when you have the level of success that we’ve had when you
level of success that we’ve had when you
level of success that we’ve had when you have a business that’s important as this
have a business that’s important as this
have a business that’s important as this with this many competitors you’re going
with this many competitors you’re going
with this many competitors you’re going to have people saying some nasty things
to have people saying some nasty things
to have people saying some nasty things and so you have to learn a little bit
and so you have to learn a little bit
and so you have to learn a little bit not to take it too personally and just
not to take it too personally and just
not to take it too personally and just keep doing the same old thing you were
keep doing the same old thing you were
keep doing the same old thing you were doing before you have to take your
doing before you have to take your
doing before you have to take your skills and attack the new frontiers for
skills and attack the new frontiers for
skills and attack the new frontiers for example graphical interface used to be
example graphical interface used to be
example graphical interface used to be outside the operating system and so
outside the operating system and so
outside the operating system and so there were many people doing those
there were many people doing those
there were many people doing those systems Windows came out ahead there and
systems Windows came out ahead there and
systems Windows came out ahead there and now it comes with the operating system
now it comes with the operating system
now it comes with the operating system likewise the the browser is something
likewise the the browser is something
likewise the the browser is something that Netscape looked at turning the
that Netscape looked at turning the
that Netscape looked at turning the browser into an operating system and we
browser into an operating system and we
browser into an operating system and we looked at taking our operating system in
looked at taking our operating system in
looked at taking our operating system in building the browser in an integrated
building the browser in an integrated
building the browser in an integrated fashion well certainly every product we
fashion well certainly every product we
fashion well certainly every product we do is absolutely as capable as it can
do is absolutely as capable as it can
do is absolutely as capable as it can possibly be there’s nothing there’s no
possibly be there’s nothing there’s no
possibly be there’s nothing there’s no holding back we are the people at
holding back we are the people at
holding back we are the people at Microsoft come in to work every day
Microsoft come in to work every day
Microsoft come in to work every day building the best products they can and
building the best products they can and
building the best products they can and they’re very proud you know you go out
they’re very proud you know you go out
they’re very proud you know you go out go into schools and see how kids are
go into schools and see how kids are
go into schools and see how kids are using this stuff going ask people about
using this stuff going ask people about
using this stuff going ask people about how their jobs have changed because of
how their jobs have changed because of
how their jobs have changed because of the personal computer you know we’re
the personal computer you know we’re
the personal computer you know we’re sitting there listening to our customers
sitting there listening to our customers
sitting there listening to our customers saying how they’d like to make things
saying how they’d like to make things
saying how they’d like to make things better so we’re we do absolutely our
better so we’re we do absolutely our
better so we’re we do absolutely our best job and in fact that’s why we’ve
best job and in fact that’s why we’ve
best job and in fact that’s why we’ve been successful you know anybody who
been successful you know anybody who
been successful you know anybody who holds back in this business isn’t gonna
holds back in this business isn’t gonna
holds back in this business isn’t gonna be around for long because this is a
be around for long because this is a
be around for long because this is a business where you always have to be
business where you always have to be
business where you always have to be moving at a very rapid pace to Harvard
moving at a very rapid pace to Harvard
moving at a very rapid pace to Harvard and you’re dropped out have you ever
and you’re dropped out have you ever
and you’re dropped out have you ever thought how your life could be better
thought how your life could be better
thought how your life could be better off if you had gotten your Harvard
off if you had gotten your Harvard
off if you had gotten your Harvard degree well I I’m a weird dropout
degree well I I’m a weird dropout
degree well I I’m a weird dropout because I take college courses all the
because I take college courses all the
because I take college courses all the time
time
time I love learning company courses and and
I love learning company courses and and
I love learning company courses and and things so I love being a student
things so I love being a student
things so I love being a student and there were smart people around and
and there were smart people around and
and there were smart people around and you know they fed you and they gave you
you know they fed you and they gave you
you know they fed you and they gave you these nice grades that made you feel
these nice grades that made you feel
these nice grades that made you feel smart
smart
smart so I I feel it was unfortunate that I
so I I feel it was unfortunate that I
so I I feel it was unfortunate that I didn’t get to stay there but I don’t
didn’t get to stay there but I don’t
didn’t get to stay there but I don’t think I missed any knowledge because you
think I missed any knowledge because you
think I missed any knowledge because you know whatever I needed to learn I would
know whatever I needed to learn I would
know whatever I needed to learn I would I was still in a learning mode we’ve
I was still in a learning mode we’ve
I was still in a learning mode we’ve competed against various forms of
competed against various forms of
competed against various forms of eunuchs over the years and Linux is a
eunuchs over the years and Linux is a
eunuchs over the years and Linux is a growing in popularity and definitely a
growing in popularity and definitely a
growing in popularity and definitely a competitor I’m how threatening a
competitor I’m how threatening a
competitor I’m how threatening a competitor
competitor
competitor well it’s a competitor we take very
well it’s a competitor we take very
well it’s a competitor we take very seriously I think you know part of
seriously I think you know part of
seriously I think you know part of Microsoft’s success is that we don’t
Microsoft’s success is that we don’t
Microsoft’s success is that we don’t underestimate the importance of the work
underestimate the importance of the work
underestimate the importance of the work that other companies are doing and so we
that other companies are doing and so we
that other companies are doing and so we look out we you know we think are there
look out we you know we think are there
look out we you know we think are there aspects of that that that are best
aspects of that that that are best
aspects of that that that are best practices for example online support
practices for example online support
practices for example online support some of the community things that are
some of the community things that are
some of the community things that are done around Linux or are done very well
done around Linux or are done very well
done around Linux or are done very well so you know we’re we’re thinking about
so you know we’re we’re thinking about
so you know we’re we’re thinking about it making sure that our innovation I
it making sure that our innovation I
it making sure that our innovation I will make sure that our value in our
will make sure that our value in our
will make sure that our value in our leadership stays in front
leadership stays in front
leadership stays in front first I met Warren we were talking about
first I met Warren we were talking about
first I met Warren we were talking about getting together and doing something
getting together and doing something
getting together and doing something again and he pulled out his calendar and
again and he pulled out his calendar and
again and he pulled out his calendar and the pages were so blank and I said wow
the pages were so blank and I said wow
the pages were so blank and I said wow you know you’ve managed to avoid getting
you know you’ve managed to avoid getting
you know you’ve managed to avoid getting tied in to a lot of kind of meaningless
tied in to a lot of kind of meaningless
tied in to a lot of kind of meaningless activity and you know Warren said yeah
activity and you know Warren said yeah
activity and you know Warren said yeah you have to be good at saying no and
you have to be good at saying no and
you have to be good at saying no and picking the things that really make a
picking the things that really make a
picking the things that really make a difference and that’s one of many things
difference and that’s one of many things
difference and that’s one of many things I’ve learned from warm but that’s one of
I’ve learned from warm but that’s one of
I’ve learned from warm but that’s one of my favorites and I so I can blame it on
my favorites and I so I can blame it on
my favorites and I so I can blame it on him whenever I’m turning things down you
him whenever I’m turning things down you
him whenever I’m turning things down you have made a significant contribution in
have made a significant contribution in
have made a significant contribution in the fight against AIDS in Africa you
the fight against AIDS in Africa you
the fight against AIDS in Africa you have funded to a large degree vaccines
have funded to a large degree vaccines
have funded to a large degree vaccines and vaccine research give me a sense of
and vaccine research give me a sense of
and vaccine research give me a sense of where that’s directed and which success
where that’s directed and which success
where that’s directed and which success you think we were making and and your
you think we were making and and your
you think we were making and and your own particular interest in public health
own particular interest in public health
own particular interest in public health in the world well this is a real passion
in the world well this is a real passion
in the world well this is a real passion for me I saw it
for me I saw it
for me I saw it I’ll give a succinct answer people I
I’ll give a succinct answer people I
I’ll give a succinct answer people I think don’t have a full awareness how
think don’t have a full awareness how
think don’t have a full awareness how four billion of the six billion people
four billion of the six billion people
four billion of the six billion people on this planet don’t have basic health
on this planet don’t have basic health
on this planet don’t have basic health needs met the the death rate of infants
needs met the the death rate of infants
needs met the the death rate of infants the epidemic infectious diseases that
the epidemic infectious diseases that
the epidemic infectious diseases that are just a way of life in most the world
are just a way of life in most the world
are just a way of life in most the world don’t exist in the in the developed
don’t exist in the in the developed
don’t exist in the in the developed world and yet the research isn’t going
world and yet the research isn’t going
world and yet the research isn’t going on for the medicines that would get rid
on for the medicines that would get rid
on for the medicines that would get rid of these diseases even diseases like
of these diseases even diseases like
of these diseases even diseases like tuberculosis where for a few hundred
tuberculosis where for a few hundred
tuberculosis where for a few hundred dollars lives can be saved that’s not
dollars lives can be saved that’s not
dollars lives can be saved that’s not being done vaccines aren’t being moved
being done vaccines aren’t being moved
being done vaccines aren’t being moved from the rich world to the poor world
from the rich world to the poor world
from the rich world to the poor world AIDS is the most extreme where the
AIDS is the most extreme where the
AIDS is the most extreme where the prevention measures that could prevent
prevention measures that could prevent
prevention measures that could prevent this from becoming a huge epidemic in
this from becoming a huge epidemic in
this from becoming a huge epidemic in countries like India Nigerian many
countries like India Nigerian many
countries like India Nigerian many countries where it’s not in huge
countries where it’s not in huge
countries where it’s not in huge percentages or that you know the right
percentages or that you know the right
percentages or that you know the right things I think are not being prioritized
things I think are not being prioritized
things I think are not being prioritized so the foundation that my wife and I
so the foundation that my wife and I
so the foundation that my wife and I have is have taken as its top priority
have is have taken as its top priority
have is have taken as its top priority these world health issues the research
these world health issues the research
these world health issues the research getting the vaccines out and it’s been
getting the vaccines out and it’s been
getting the vaccines out and it’s been fascinating to learn about this and to
fascinating to learn about this and to
fascinating to learn about this and to try and say that all these lives the
try and say that all these lives the
try and say that all these lives the lives all over the world should be
lives all over the world should be
lives all over the world should be treated with the same value that we
treated with the same value that we
treated with the same value that we treat lives here in the in the rich
treat lives here in the in the rich
treat lives here in the in the rich world so you’re just to sum up in a
world so you’re just to sum up in a
world so you’re just to sum up in a sense I mean the what you have learned
sense I mean the what you have learned
sense I mean the what you have learned from your own involvement from funding
from your own involvement from funding
from your own involvement from funding it in terms of more money than had ever
it in terms of more money than had ever
it in terms of more money than had ever been applied is that it can make a
been applied is that it can make a
been applied is that it can make a difference absolutely millions of lives
difference absolutely millions of lives
difference absolutely millions of lives can be and should be saved through these
can be and should be saved through these
can be and should be saved through these efforts and you know we we can make a
efforts and you know we we can make a
efforts and you know we we can make a difference and we can encourage others
difference and we can encourage others
difference and we can encourage others to get involved that was my last
to get involved that was my last
to get involved that was my last question is that happening as you fund
question is that happening as you fund
question is that happening as you fund these efforts are you I mean is it
these efforts are you I mean is it
these efforts are you I mean is it becoming a kind of wedge that other
becoming a kind of wedge that other
becoming a kind of wedge that other governments and other foundations and
governments and other foundations and
governments and other foundations and other sources a following suit or
other sources a following suit or
other sources a following suit or matching we’ve seen a good start I would
matching we’ve seen a good start I would
matching we’ve seen a good start I would say the vaccine fund we put together we
say the vaccine fund we put together we
say the vaccine fund we put together we put in 750 million now governments have
put in 750 million now governments have
put in 750 million now governments have agreed to put up 500 million in addition
agreed to put up 500 million in addition
agreed to put up 500 million in addition to that in the AIDS area some of the
to that in the AIDS area some of the
to that in the AIDS area some of the things we’ve backed have been able to
things we’ve backed have been able to
things we’ve backed have been able to attract additional money having said
attract additional money having said
attract additional money having said that this is a cause that somehow
that this is a cause that somehow
that this is a cause that somehow deserves more visibility because when
deserves more visibility because when
deserves more visibility because when you talk to people about this and they
you talk to people about this and they
you talk to people about this and they hear about malaria or AIDS they really
hear about malaria or AIDS they really
hear about malaria or AIDS they really do care and they think their
do care and they think their
do care and they think their government’s doing more and so you know
government’s doing more and so you know
government’s doing more and so you know when I’m not working a lot of my
when I’m not working a lot of my
when I’m not working a lot of my creativity is going into what could be
creativity is going into what could be
creativity is going into what could be done to show people that their money
done to show people that their money
done to show people that their money would be well spent it would make a
would be well spent it would make a
would be well spent it would make a difference and you know try and make
difference and you know try and make
difference and you know try and make sure that that world health gets gets
sure that that world health gets gets
sure that that world health gets gets more a priority than you can save life
more a priority than you can save life
more a priority than you can save life if you ask people across the United
if you ask people across the United
if you ask people across the United States is the future going to be better
States is the future going to be better
States is the future going to be better than the past most say no my kids will
than the past most say no my kids will
than the past most say no my kids will be worse off than I am
be worse off than I am
be worse off than I am they think innovation won’t make the
they think innovation won’t make the
they think innovation won’t make the world better for them of their children
world better for them of their children
world better for them of their children so who’s right the people who say
so who’s right the people who say
so who’s right the people who say innovation will create new possibilities
innovation will create new possibilities
innovation will create new possibilities and make the word world better are the
and make the word world better are the
and make the word world better are the people who see a trend toward inequality
people who see a trend toward inequality
people who see a trend toward inequality and a decline in opportunity and don’t
and a decline in opportunity and don’t
and a decline in opportunity and don’t think innovation will change that the
think innovation will change that the
think innovation will change that the pessimists are wrong in my view but
pessimists are wrong in my view but
pessimists are wrong in my view but they’re not crazy
they’re not crazy
they’re not crazy if innovation is purely market driven
if innovation is purely market driven
if innovation is purely market driven and we don’t focus on the big inequities
and we don’t focus on the big inequities
and we don’t focus on the big inequities then we could have amazing advances and
then we could have amazing advances and
then we could have amazing advances and inventions that leave the world even
inventions that leave the world even
inventions that leave the world even more divided we won’t improve public
more divided we won’t improve public
more divided we won’t improve public schools we won’t cure malaria we won’t
schools we won’t cure malaria we won’t
schools we won’t cure malaria we won’t end poverty we won’t develop the
end poverty we won’t develop the
end poverty we won’t develop the innovations poor farmers need to grow
innovations poor farmers need to grow
innovations poor farmers need to grow food in a changing climate if our
food in a changing climate if our
food in a changing climate if our optimism doesn’t address the problems
optimism doesn’t address the problems
optimism doesn’t address the problems that affect so many of our fellow human
that affect so many of our fellow human
that affect so many of our fellow human beings then our optimism needs more
beings then our optimism needs more
beings then our optimism needs more empathy if empathy channel’s our
empathy if empathy channel’s our
empathy if empathy channel’s our optimism we will see the poverty and the
optimism we will see the poverty and the
optimism we will see the poverty and the disease and the poor schools we will
disease and the poor schools we will
disease and the poor schools we will answer with our innovations and we will
answer with our innovations and we will
answer with our innovations and we will surprise the pessimists over the next
surprise the pessimists over the next
surprise the pessimists over the next generation you Stanford graduates will
generation you Stanford graduates will
generation you Stanford graduates will lead a new wave of innovation which
lead a new wave of innovation which
lead a new wave of innovation which problems will you decide to solve if
problems will you decide to solve if
problems will you decide to solve if your world is wide you can create the
your world is wide you can create the
your world is wide you can create the future we all want if your world is
future we all want if your world is
future we all want if your world is narrow you may create the future the
narrow you may create the future the
narrow you may create the future the pessimist fear I started learning in
pessimist fear I started learning in
pessimist fear I started learning in suede oh that if we’re going to make our
suede oh that if we’re going to make our
suede oh that if we’re going to make our optimism matter to everyone and empower
optimism matter to everyone and empower
optimism matter to everyone and empower people everywhere we have to see the
people everywhere we have to see the
people everywhere we have to see the lives of those most in need
lives of those most in need
lives of those most in need if we have optimism without empathy then
if we have optimism without empathy then
if we have optimism without empathy then it doesn’t matter how much we master the
it doesn’t matter how much we master the
it doesn’t matter how much we master the secrets of science we’re not really
secrets of science we’re not really
secrets of science we’re not really solving problems we’re just working on
solving problems we’re just working on
solving problems we’re just working on puzzles
puzzles
puzzles I think most of you have a broader
I think most of you have a broader
I think most of you have a broader worldview than I had at your age you can
worldview than I had at your age you can
worldview than I had at your age you can do better at this than I did if you put
do better at this than I did if you put
do better at this than I did if you put your hearts and minds to it
your hearts and minds to it
your hearts and minds to it you can surprise the pessimists we’re
you can surprise the pessimists we’re
you can surprise the pessimists we’re eager to see it and one habit that I
eager to see it and one habit that I
eager to see it and one habit that I developed when I when I was at college
developed when I when I was at college
developed when I when I was at college it was actually very bad habit which was
it was actually very bad habit which was
it was actually very bad habit which was I like to show people that I didn’t do
I like to show people that I didn’t do
I like to show people that I didn’t do any work and that I didn’t go to classes
any work and that I didn’t go to classes
any work and that I didn’t go to classes and I didn’t care and then at the very
and I didn’t care and then at the very
and I didn’t care and then at the very last minute like two days before the
last minute like two days before the
last minute like two days before the test I get serious about it and and
test I get serious about it and and
test I get serious about it and and people people thought that was funny you
people people thought that was funny you
people people thought that was funny you know that was my positioning the guy who
know that was my positioning the guy who
know that was my positioning the guy who did nothing until the last minute then
did nothing until the last minute then
did nothing until the last minute then when I went into business that was a
when I went into business that was a
when I went into business that was a really bad habit and it took me a couple
really bad habit and it took me a couple
really bad habit and it took me a couple years to get over that nobody praised me
years to get over that nobody praised me
years to get over that nobody praised me because I would do things at the last
because I would do things at the last
because I would do things at the last minute and I tried to reverse to student
minute and I tried to reverse to student
minute and I tried to reverse to student side actually I didn’t think that highly
side actually I didn’t think that highly
side actually I didn’t think that highly of who were always organized and had
of who were always organized and had
of who were always organized and had things done on time I’m I’m still
things done on time I’m I’m still
things done on time I’m I’m still working on it but procrastination is not
working on it but procrastination is not
working on it but procrastination is not a good good habit I really need some
a good good habit I really need some
a good good habit I really need some thought to like how can I provide advice
thought to like how can I provide advice
thought to like how can I provide advice that would be most helpful and I’m not
that would be most helpful and I’m not
that would be most helpful and I’m not sure I’ve given enough thought to to
sure I’ve given enough thought to to
sure I’ve given enough thought to to that to give you the best possible
that to give you the best possible
that to give you the best possible answer but I think I think certainly
answer but I think I think certainly
answer but I think I think certainly being focused on something that you’re
being focused on something that you’re
being focused on something that you’re confident will have high value to
confident will have high value to
confident will have high value to someone else and just being really
someone else and just being really
someone else and just being really rigorous in making that assessment
rigorous in making that assessment
rigorous in making that assessment because people are attend tend to
because people are attend tend to
because people are attend tend to natural human tendency is wishful
natural human tendency is wishful
natural human tendency is wishful thinking so a challenge for
thinking so a challenge for
thinking so a challenge for entrepreneurs is to say well what’s the
entrepreneurs is to say well what’s the
entrepreneurs is to say well what’s the difference between really believing new
difference between really believing new
difference between really believing new ideals and sticking sticking to them
ideals and sticking sticking to them
ideals and sticking sticking to them versus pursuing some unrealistic dream
versus pursuing some unrealistic dream
versus pursuing some unrealistic dream that doesn’t actually have merit and
that doesn’t actually have merit and
that doesn’t actually have merit and it’s it’s that is it that is a really
it’s it’s that is it that is a really
it’s it’s that is it that is a really difficult thing to to tell you can you
difficult thing to to tell you can you
difficult thing to to tell you can you tell the difference between those two
tell the difference between those two
tell the difference between those two things
things
things I know so you need to be sort of very
I know so you need to be sort of very
I know so you need to be sort of very rigorous in your self self analysis I
rigorous in your self self analysis I
rigorous in your self self analysis I think certainly extremely tenacious and
think certainly extremely tenacious and
think certainly extremely tenacious and and then just work like hell I mean you
and then just work like hell I mean you
and then just work like hell I mean you just have to put in
just have to put in
just have to put in you know 80-hour 80 100 hour weeks every
you know 80-hour 80 100 hour weeks every
you know 80-hour 80 100 hour weeks every week and their matter like that all
week and their matter like that all
week and their matter like that all those things improve the odds of success
those things improve the odds of success
those things improve the odds of success okay
okay
okay I mean if other people are putting in
I mean if other people are putting in
I mean if other people are putting in 40-hour work weeks and you’re putting in
40-hour work weeks and you’re putting in
40-hour work weeks and you’re putting in 100 hour work weeks then even if you’re
100 hour work weeks then even if you’re
100 hour work weeks then even if you’re doing the same thing you know that in
doing the same thing you know that in
doing the same thing you know that in one year you will achieve what they
one year you will achieve what they
one year you will achieve what they achieve you will achieve in four months
achieve you will achieve in four months
achieve you will achieve in four months what it takes them a year to achieve how
what it takes them a year to achieve how
what it takes them a year to achieve how do you think about making a decision
do you think about making a decision
do you think about making a decision when everyone tells you this is a crazy
when everyone tells you this is a crazy
when everyone tells you this is a crazy idea
idea
idea where do you get the internal strength
where do you get the internal strength
where do you get the internal strength to do that well first of all I’d say I
to do that well first of all I’d say I
to do that well first of all I’d say I actually think I think I feel feel fair
actually think I think I feel feel fair
actually think I think I feel feel fair quite strongly so it’s not as though I
quite strongly so it’s not as though I
quite strongly so it’s not as though I just have the absence of fear I’ve I
just have the absence of fear I’ve I
just have the absence of fear I’ve I feel it quite strongly but there are
feel it quite strongly but there are
feel it quite strongly but there are times when if something is important
times when if something is important
times when if something is important enough you believe it enough that you do
enough you believe it enough that you do
enough you believe it enough that you do it in spite of fear so speaking of
it in spite of fear so speaking of
it in spite of fear so speaking of important things like people shouldn’t
important things like people shouldn’t
important things like people shouldn’t think III I should should think well I
think III I should should think well I
think III I should should think well I feel fear about this and therefore I
feel fear about this and therefore I
feel fear about this and therefore I shouldn’t do it it’s normal to be to
shouldn’t do it it’s normal to be to
shouldn’t do it it’s normal to be to feel fair like you’d have to definitely
feel fair like you’d have to definitely
feel fair like you’d have to definitely something mentally wrong you shouldn’t
something mentally wrong you shouldn’t
something mentally wrong you shouldn’t feel fair so you just feel it and let
feel fair so you just feel it and let
feel fair so you just feel it and let the importance of it anyway yeah you
the importance of it anyway yeah you
the importance of it anyway yeah you know actually we’re something that can
know actually we’re something that can
know actually we’re something that can be helpful as fatalism some degree you
be helpful as fatalism some degree you
be helpful as fatalism some degree you could just say it’s just accept the
could just say it’s just accept the
could just say it’s just accept the probabilities then that diminishes fear
probabilities then that diminishes fear
probabilities then that diminishes fear so I’m starting SpaceX I thought the
so I’m starting SpaceX I thought the
so I’m starting SpaceX I thought the odds of success were less than 10% and I
odds of success were less than 10% and I
odds of success were less than 10% and I just accepted that we actually probably
just accepted that we actually probably
just accepted that we actually probably I would just lose lose everything but
I would just lose lose everything but
I would just lose lose everything but that maybe would make some progress if
that maybe would make some progress if
that maybe would make some progress if we could just move the ball forward even
we could just move the ball forward even
we could just move the ball forward even if we died maybe some other company
if we died maybe some other company
if we died maybe some other company could pick up the baton and move and
could pick up the baton and move and
could pick up the baton and move and keep moving forward
keep moving forward
keep moving forward so that were slowly some good
yeah say what Tesla I thought your odds
yeah say what Tesla I thought your odds of a car company succeeding were
of a car company succeeding were
of a car company succeeding were extremely low when does happy focused on
extremely low when does happy focused on
extremely low when does happy focused on the short term and money coming in when
the short term and money coming in when
the short term and money coming in when creating company because otherwise the
creating company because otherwise the
creating company because otherwise the company will die so that I think that a
company will die so that I think that a
company will die so that I think that a lot of times people think like creating
lot of times people think like creating
lot of times people think like creating company is gonna be fun I would say it’s
company is gonna be fun I would say it’s
company is gonna be fun I would say it’s not it’s really not that fun I mean
not it’s really not that fun I mean
not it’s really not that fun I mean there are periods of fun and then there
there are periods of fun and then there
there are periods of fun and then there are periods of where it’s just awful and
are periods of where it’s just awful and
are periods of where it’s just awful and particularly if you CEO of the company
particularly if you CEO of the company
particularly if you CEO of the company you actually have a distillation of all
you actually have a distillation of all
you actually have a distillation of all the worst problems in a company there’s
the worst problems in a company there’s
the worst problems in a company there’s no point in spending your time on things
no point in spending your time on things
no point in spending your time on things that are going right so you only spend
that are going right so you only spend
that are going right so you only spend on things on your time and things that
on things on your time and things that
on things on your time and things that are going wrong and there are things
are going wrong and there are things
are going wrong and there are things that are going wrong that other people
that are going wrong that other people
that are going wrong that other people can’t can’t take care of so you’re like
can’t can’t take care of so you’re like
can’t can’t take care of so you’re like the worst you have a filter for the
the worst you have a filter for the
the worst you have a filter for the crappers problems in the company the
crappers problems in the company the
crappers problems in the company the most pernicious and painful problems so
most pernicious and painful problems so
most pernicious and painful problems so I wouldn’t say it’s it’s I think you
I wouldn’t say it’s it’s I think you
I wouldn’t say it’s it’s I think you have to feel quite compelled to do it
have to feel quite compelled to do it
have to feel quite compelled to do it and have a fairly high pain threshold
and have a fairly high pain threshold
and have a fairly high pain threshold and there’s a friend of mine who says
and there’s a friend of mine who says
and there’s a friend of mine who says like starting companies like staring at
like starting companies like staring at
like starting companies like staring at the abyss and eating glass and there’s
the abyss and eating glass and there’s
the abyss and eating glass and there’s some truth to that we’re staring into
some truth to that we’re staring into
some truth to that we’re staring into the abyss part is that you’re going to
the abyss part is that you’re going to
the abyss part is that you’re going to be constantly facing the extermination
be constantly facing the extermination
be constantly facing the extermination of the company because most most
of the company because most most
of the company because most most startups fail like 90 percent ugly 99%
startups fail like 90 percent ugly 99%
startups fail like 90 percent ugly 99% of startups fail so I so you that that’s
of startups fail so I so you that that’s
of startups fail so I so you that that’s the staring into the abyss part you
the staring into the abyss part you
the staring into the abyss part you can’t constantly saying okay this if I
can’t constantly saying okay this if I
can’t constantly saying okay this if I don’t get this right the company will
don’t get this right the company will
don’t get this right the company will die it should be quite rightful quite
die it should be quite rightful quite
die it should be quite rightful quite stressful and and then the eating glass
stressful and and then the eating glass
stressful and and then the eating glass part is you’ve got you’ve got to do
part is you’ve got you’ve got to do
part is you’ve got you’ve got to do you’ve got to do the problems you’re
you’ve got to do the problems you’re
you’ve got to do the problems you’re gonna sell you’re gonna work in the
gonna sell you’re gonna work in the
gonna sell you’re gonna work in the problems that the company needs you to
problems that the company needs you to
problems that the company needs you to work on not the problems you want to
work on not the problems you want to
work on not the problems you want to work on and so that the that’s you and
work on and so that the that’s you and
work on and so that the that’s you and I’ve working on problems that that you’d
I’ve working on problems that that you’d
I’ve working on problems that that you’d really wish you weren’t working on and
really wish you weren’t working on and
really wish you weren’t working on and so that’s the eating glass part
so that’s the eating glass part
so that’s the eating glass part and that goes on for a long time so how
and that goes on for a long time so how
and that goes on for a long time so how do you keep your focus on the big
do you keep your focus on the big
do you keep your focus on the big picture when you’re constantly faced
picture when you’re constantly faced
picture when you’re constantly faced with we could be out of business in a
with we could be out of business in a
with we could be out of business in a month well it’s just a very small
month well it’s just a very small
month well it’s just a very small percentage of mental energies on the on
percentage of mental energies on the on
percentage of mental energies on the on the big picture like you know you know
the big picture like you know you know
the big picture like you know you know you know where you generally heading for
you know where you generally heading for
you know where you generally heading for and and the actual path is gonna be some
and and the actual path is gonna be some
and and the actual path is gonna be some sort of zigzagging thing in that
sort of zigzagging thing in that
sort of zigzagging thing in that direction it try not to deviate too far
direction it try not to deviate too far
direction it try not to deviate too far from the path that that you want to be
from the path that that you want to be
from the path that that you want to be on but you’re gonna have to do that some
on but you’re gonna have to do that some
on but you’re gonna have to do that some degree but I don’t want to I don’t want
degree but I don’t want to I don’t want
degree but I don’t want to I don’t want to diminish the I mean I think the
to diminish the I mean I think the
to diminish the I mean I think the product the profit motive is it is a is
product the profit motive is it is a is
product the profit motive is it is a is a good one if the rules of an industry
a good one if the rules of an industry
a good one if the rules of an industry are properly set up there’s something
are properly set up there’s something
are properly set up there’s something fundamentally wrong with puffins in fact
fundamentally wrong with puffins in fact
fundamentally wrong with puffins in fact profit just means that people are paying
profit just means that people are paying
profit just means that people are paying you more for that whatever you’re doing
you more for that whatever you’re doing
you more for that whatever you’re doing then you’re spending to create it that’s
then you’re spending to create it that’s
then you’re spending to create it that’s a good thing and if you’re not if that’s
a good thing and if you’re not if that’s
a good thing and if you’re not if that’s not the case then you’ll be out of
not the case then you’ll be out of
not the case then you’ll be out of business and rightfully so you’re not
business and rightfully so you’re not
business and rightfully so you’re not adding enough I would definitely advise
adding enough I would definitely advise
adding enough I would definitely advise people your starting company to expect a
people your starting company to expect a
people your starting company to expect a long period of quite high difficulty
long period of quite high difficulty
long period of quite high difficulty yeah
yeah
yeah but that means long as people stay super
but that means long as people stay super
but that means long as people stay super focused on creating absolute best
focused on creating absolute best
focused on creating absolute best product or service that really delights
product or service that really delights
product or service that really delights their end customer if they stay focused
their end customer if they stay focused
their end customer if they stay focused on that then it should basically if you
on that then it should basically if you
on that then it should basically if you get a such that your customers want you
get a such that your customers want you
get a such that your customers want you to succeed then then you probably will
to succeed then then you probably will
to succeed then then you probably will all right you have to focus on the
all right you have to focus on the
all right you have to focus on the customer delivering for them yeah
customer delivering for them yeah
customer delivering for them yeah make sure if your customers W you will
make sure if your customers W you will
make sure if your customers W you will your odds of success are dramatically
your odds of success are dramatically
your odds of success are dramatically higher
higher
higher but when you’re building something new
but when you’re building something new
but when you’re building something new there’s going to be mistakes and it’s
there’s going to be mistakes and it’s
there’s going to be mistakes and it’s important to to recognize those mistakes
important to to recognize those mistakes
important to to recognize those mistakes acknowledge them and take corrective
acknowledge them and take corrective
acknowledge them and take corrective action yeah and the success of a company
action yeah and the success of a company
action yeah and the success of a company is very much more about how quick are
is very much more about how quick are
is very much more about how quick are you to fix the mistakes not will you
you to fix the mistakes not will you
you to fix the mistakes not will you make mistakes or admit mistakes yeah
make mistakes or admit mistakes yeah
make mistakes or admit mistakes yeah absolutely yeah and if you see the
absolutely yeah and if you see the
absolutely yeah and if you see the difference between a startup that is
difference between a startup that is
difference between a startup that is successful in one that is not and it’s
successful in one that is not and it’s
successful in one that is not and it’s because the successful one they both
because the successful one they both
because the successful one they both made mistakes but the successful one
made mistakes but the successful one
made mistakes but the successful one recognized the mistakes fix them very
recognized the mistakes fix them very
recognized the mistakes fix them very quickly and the the unsuccessful one
quickly and the the unsuccessful one
quickly and the the unsuccessful one tries to deny that the mistakes exist
tries to deny that the mistakes exist
tries to deny that the mistakes exist you know extremely smart people are
you know extremely smart people are
you know extremely smart people are sometimes quite arrogant because they
sometimes quite arrogant because they
sometimes quite arrogant because they believe in what they believe in right
believe in what they believe in right
believe in what they believe in right and so when they face criticism it’s
and so when they face criticism it’s
and so when they face criticism it’s less likely to admit you know they can
less likely to admit you know they can
less likely to admit you know they can make mistakes was that in your case I
make mistakes was that in your case I
make mistakes was that in your case I learnt it when I was doing when I was
learnt it when I was doing when I was
learnt it when I was doing when I was studying physics mm-hmm the the you know
studying physics mm-hmm the the you know
studying physics mm-hmm the the you know in physics you’re taught to always
in physics you’re taught to always
in physics you’re taught to always question yourself you’re taught to
question yourself you’re taught to
question yourself you’re taught to always assume that you’re wrong not to
always assume that you’re wrong not to
always assume that you’re wrong not to seem that you’re right and you have to
seem that you’re right and you have to
seem that you’re right and you have to prove yourself not not wrong and so I
prove yourself not not wrong and so I
prove yourself not not wrong and so I think that that that physics framework
think that that that physics framework
think that that that physics framework is really where where I learnt it and
is really where where I learnt it and
is really where where I learnt it and it’s very effective for wonderful
it’s very effective for wonderful
it’s very effective for wonderful learning counterintuitive things that
learning counterintuitive things that
learning counterintuitive things that aren’t obvious mm-hmm so you were very
aren’t obvious mm-hmm so you were very
aren’t obvious mm-hmm so you were very famous in saying that failure is
famous in saying that failure is
famous in saying that failure is actually an option and if you’re not
actually an option and if you’re not
actually an option and if you’re not failing but that means you’re not you
failing but that means you’re not you
failing but that means you’re not you know they do it now yeah it’s not like I
know they do it now yeah it’s not like I
know they do it now yeah it’s not like I like failure when you’re likes failure
like failure when you’re likes failure
like failure when you’re likes failure was terrible but if you only do things
was terrible but if you only do things
was terrible but if you only do things that are certain to succeed then you’re
that are certain to succeed then you’re
that are certain to succeed then you’re only gonna be doing a very obvious thing
only gonna be doing a very obvious thing
only gonna be doing a very obvious thing did you think I need to pack this in
did you think I need to pack this in
did you think I need to pack this in Darren why not I don’t ever give up I’d
Darren why not I don’t ever give up I’d
Darren why not I don’t ever give up I’d have to be dead or completely
have to be dead or completely
have to be dead or completely incapacitated when interview someone to
incapacitated when interview someone to
incapacitated when interview someone to work at the companies to be to ask me to
work at the companies to be to ask me to
work at the companies to be to ask me to tell me about the problems that they
tell me about the problems that they
tell me about the problems that they worked on and how they sold them and if
worked on and how they sold them and if
worked on and how they sold them and if someone was really the person who solved
someone was really the person who solved
someone was really the person who solved it they’ll be able to answer multiple
it they’ll be able to answer multiple
it they’ll be able to answer multiple levels they’ll be able to go down to the
levels they’ll be able to go down to the
levels they’ll be able to go down to the brass tacks and if they would they’ll
brass tacks and if they would they’ll
brass tacks and if they would they’ll get stuck and then you can say oh this
get stuck and then you can say oh this
get stuck and then you can say oh this person was not really the person who
person was not really the person who
person was not really the person who solved it because anyone who struggled
solved it because anyone who struggled
solved it because anyone who struggled hard with a problem never forgets
hard with a problem never forgets
hard with a problem never forgets got to make sure that whatever you’re
got to make sure that whatever you’re
got to make sure that whatever you’re doing is a great product or service and
doing is a great product or service and
doing is a great product or service and it has to be really great and I go back
it has to be really great and I go back
it has to be really great and I go back to what I think oh yeah
to what I think oh yeah
to what I think oh yeah if you’re a new company I mean this is
if you’re a new company I mean this is
if you’re a new company I mean this is like some new industry or new market
like some new industry or new market
like some new industry or new market that added if it’s an untapped market or
that added if it’s an untapped market or
that added if it’s an untapped market or then then you have more ability to give
then then you have more ability to give
then then you have more ability to give is this the standard is lower for your
is this the standard is lower for your
is this the standard is lower for your product or service but if you’re
product or service but if you’re
product or service but if you’re entering anything where there’s an
entering anything where there’s an
entering anything where there’s an existing market place against Lodge and
existing market place against Lodge and
existing market place against Lodge and trench to competitors then your product
trench to competitors then your product
trench to competitors then your product or service needs to be much better than
or service needs to be much better than
or service needs to be much better than theirs it can’t be a little bit better
theirs it can’t be a little bit better
theirs it can’t be a little bit better because then you put yourself in those
because then you put yourself in those
because then you put yourself in those shoes of the consumer and they say why
shoes of the consumer and they say why
shoes of the consumer and they say why would you buy it as consumer or he’s
would you buy it as consumer or he’s
would you buy it as consumer or he’s gonna buy the trusted brand unless
gonna buy the trusted brand unless
gonna buy the trusted brand unless there’s a big difference so a lot of
there’s a big difference so a lot of
there’s a big difference so a lot of times you know entrepreneur will come up
times you know entrepreneur will come up
times you know entrepreneur will come up with something which is only slightly
with something which is only slightly
with something which is only slightly better and it’s it’s not you can’t just
better and it’s it’s not you can’t just
better and it’s it’s not you can’t just be slightly better it’s got to be a lot
be slightly better it’s got to be a lot
be slightly better it’s got to be a lot better if you’re creating a company or
better if you’re creating a company or
better if you’re creating a company or if you’re joining a company the most
if you’re joining a company the most
if you’re joining a company the most important thing is to make sure it is to
important thing is to make sure it is to
important thing is to make sure it is to attract great people so either be with
attract great people so either be with
attract great people so either be with join a group that’s amazing that you’ve
join a group that’s amazing that you’ve
join a group that’s amazing that you’ve really respected or if you’re building a
really respected or if you’re building a
really respected or if you’re building a company you’ve got to gather great
company you’ve got to gather great
company you’ve got to gather great people I mean all the company is is a
people I mean all the company is is a
people I mean all the company is is a group of people that have gathered
group of people that have gathered
group of people that have gathered together to create a product or service
together to create a product or service
together to create a product or service and so depending upon how talented and
and so depending upon how talented and
and so depending upon how talented and hardworking that group is and degree to
hardworking that group is and degree to
hardworking that group is and degree to which they are focused cohesively in a
which they are focused cohesively in a
which they are focused cohesively in a good direction that will determine the
good direction that will determine the
good direction that will determine the success of the company
success of the company
success of the company so do everything you can to to gather
so do everything you can to to gather
so do everything you can to to gather great people if you’re creating a
great people if you’re creating a
great people if you’re creating a company
company
company we’re really liking what you do whatever
we’re really liking what you do whatever
we’re really liking what you do whatever area that you get into given that you
area that you get into given that you
area that you get into given that you know even if you if you’re the best the
know even if you if you’re the best the
know even if you if you’re the best the best there’s always a chance of failure
best there’s always a chance of failure
best there’s always a chance of failure so I think it’s important that you
so I think it’s important that you
so I think it’s important that you really like whatever you’re doing if you
really like whatever you’re doing if you
really like whatever you’re doing if you don’t like it
don’t like it
don’t like it life is too short if you like what
life is too short if you like what
life is too short if you like what you’re doing you think about it even
you’re doing you think about it even
you’re doing you think about it even when you’re not working I mean it’ll
when you’re not working I mean it’ll
when you’re not working I mean it’ll just it’s something that your mind is
just it’s something that your mind is
just it’s something that your mind is drawn to and and if you don’t like it
drawn to and and if you don’t like it
drawn to and and if you don’t like it you just really can’t make it work I
you just really can’t make it work I
you just really can’t make it work I think depending on how well you want to
think depending on how well you want to
think depending on how well you want to do in particularly if you’re starting a
do in particularly if you’re starting a
do in particularly if you’re starting a company you need to work super hard so
company you need to work super hard so
company you need to work super hard so what is super hard mean well when my
what is super hard mean well when my
what is super hard mean well when my brother and I was starting our first
brother and I was starting our first
brother and I was starting our first company instead of getting an apartment
company instead of getting an apartment
company instead of getting an apartment we just rented us a small office and we
we just rented us a small office and we
we just rented us a small office and we slept on the couch and we showered at
slept on the couch and we showered at
slept on the couch and we showered at the YMCA and we’re so hot up we had one
the YMCA and we’re so hot up we had one
the YMCA and we’re so hot up we had one computer so the website was up during
computer so the website was up during
computer so the website was up during the day and I was coding at night seven
the day and I was coding at night seven
the day and I was coding at night seven days a week all the time and I sort of
days a week all the time and I sort of
days a week all the time and I sort of briefly had a gopher in that period and
briefly had a gopher in that period and
briefly had a gopher in that period and in order to be with me she had to sleep
in order to be with me she had to sleep
in order to be with me she had to sleep in the office so I work hard like it
in the office so I work hard like it
in the office so I work hard like it mean every waking hour that’s that’s the
mean every waking hour that’s that’s the
mean every waking hour that’s that’s the the thing I would I would say if your
the thing I would I would say if your
the thing I would I would say if your particular if you’re starting a company
particular if you’re starting a company
particular if you’re starting a company and I mean if you do simple math to say
and I mean if you do simple math to say
and I mean if you do simple math to say like okay if somebody else is working 50
like okay if somebody else is working 50
like okay if somebody else is working 50 hours and you’re working a hundred
hours and you’re working a hundred
hours and you’re working a hundred you’ll get twice as done as much done in
you’ll get twice as done as much done in
you’ll get twice as done as much done in the course of a year as the other
the course of a year as the other
the course of a year as the other company so many people try to talk me
company so many people try to talk me
company so many people try to talk me out of starting a road company it was it
out of starting a road company it was it
out of starting a road company it was it was crazy one good friend of mine
was crazy one good friend of mine
was crazy one good friend of mine collected a whole series of videos of
collected a whole series of videos of
collected a whole series of videos of rockets blowing up and made me watch
rockets blowing up and made me watch
rockets blowing up and made me watch those you just didn’t want me to lose
those you just didn’t want me to lose
those you just didn’t want me to lose all my money we’re doing these things
all my money we’re doing these things
all my money we’re doing these things that seem unlikely to succeed and we’ve
that seem unlikely to succeed and we’ve
that seem unlikely to succeed and we’ve been fortunate and at least thus far
been fortunate and at least thus far
been fortunate and at least thus far they have succeeded now is the time to
they have succeeded now is the time to
they have succeeded now is the time to take risk you don’t have kids as you get
take risk you don’t have kids as you get
take risk you don’t have kids as you get older your obligations increase so
older your obligations increase so
older your obligations increase so you’re and once you have a family you
you’re and once you have a family you
you’re and once you have a family you start taking risks not just before
start taking risks not just before
start taking risks not just before yourself but for your family as well it
yourself but for your family as well it
yourself but for your family as well it gets much harder to do things that might
gets much harder to do things that might
gets much harder to do things that might not work out so now is the time to do
not work out so now is the time to do
not work out so now is the time to do that
that
that before you before you have those
before you before you have those
before you before you have those obligations so I would encourage you to
obligations so I would encourage you to
obligations so I would encourage you to take risks now to do something bold
take risks now to do something bold
take risks now to do something bold you won’t regret it you focus on one
you won’t regret it you focus on one
you won’t regret it you focus on one signal over noise a lot of companies get
signal over noise a lot of companies get
signal over noise a lot of companies get confused they they spend money on things
confused they they spend money on things
confused they they spend money on things that don’t actually make the product
that don’t actually make the product
that don’t actually make the product better for example at Tesla
better for example at Tesla
better for example at Tesla we’ve never spent any money on
we’ve never spent any money on
we’ve never spent any money on advertising we put all the money into
advertising we put all the money into
advertising we put all the money into R&D and manufacturing and design to try
R&D and manufacturing and design to try
R&D and manufacturing and design to try to make the car as good as possible and
to make the car as good as possible and
to make the car as good as possible and I think that’s that’s the way to go
I think that’s that’s the way to go
I think that’s that’s the way to go before for any given company just keep
before for any given company just keep
before for any given company just keep thinking about are these efforts that
thinking about are these efforts that
thinking about are these efforts that people are expending are they resulting
people are expending are they resulting
people are expending are they resulting in a better product or service and if
in a better product or service and if
in a better product or service and if they’re not stopped those efforts
they’re not stopped those efforts
they’re not stopped those efforts how did you figure you were gonna start
how did you figure you were gonna start
how did you figure you were gonna start a car company and be successful at it
a car company and be successful at it
a car company and be successful at it well I didn’t really think Tesla would
well I didn’t really think Tesla would
well I didn’t really think Tesla would be successful I thought we would most
be successful I thought we would most
be successful I thought we would most likely fail but I thought that we at
likely fail but I thought that we at
likely fail but I thought that we at least could address the false perception
least could address the false perception
least could address the false perception that people had that an electric car had
that people had that an electric car had
that people had that an electric car had to be ugly and slow and
to be ugly and slow and
to be ugly and slow and and boring like a golf cart but you say
and boring like a golf cart but you say
and boring like a golf cart but you say you didn’t expect the company to be
you didn’t expect the company to be
you didn’t expect the company to be successful then why try if something’s
successful then why try if something’s
successful then why try if something’s important enough you should try even if
important enough you should try even if
important enough you should try even if they probably outcome as failure what
they probably outcome as failure what
they probably outcome as failure what Tesla your goal has been to make a
Tesla your goal has been to make a
Tesla your goal has been to make a better car and you’ve done that with an
better car and you’ve done that with an
better car and you’ve done that with an electric vehicle that people covet that
electric vehicle that people covet that
electric vehicle that people covet that has quite a cult following
has quite a cult following
has quite a cult following that’s upgradable but you also want to
that’s upgradable but you also want to
that’s upgradable but you also want to achieve and your turn of phrase is very
achieve and your turn of phrase is very
achieve and your turn of phrase is very nice or try to achieve this Platonic
nice or try to achieve this Platonic
nice or try to achieve this Platonic ideal of a car right to reach perfection
ideal of a car right to reach perfection
ideal of a car right to reach perfection so what does the perfect car look like I
so what does the perfect car look like I
so what does the perfect car look like I do use that phrase with our engineering
do use that phrase with our engineering
do use that phrase with our engineering design team that aspirationally we’re in
design team that aspirationally we’re in
design team that aspirationally we’re in pursuit of the Platonic ideal of the
pursuit of the Platonic ideal of the
pursuit of the Platonic ideal of the perfect car and here’s what that looks
perfect car and here’s what that looks
perfect car and here’s what that looks like actually but it’s I want to try to
like actually but it’s I want to try to
like actually but it’s I want to try to make every element of the car as as
make every element of the car as as
make every element of the car as as flawless as possible they’ll always be
flawless as possible they’ll always be
flawless as possible they’ll always be you know some degree of imperfection but
you know some degree of imperfection but
you know some degree of imperfection but try to minimize that and and create a
try to minimize that and and create a
try to minimize that and and create a car that it’s just a line fill in every
car that it’s just a line fill in every
car that it’s just a line fill in every way and I think if you do that then the
way and I think if you do that then the
way and I think if you do that then the rest kind of takes care of itself
rest kind of takes care of itself
rest kind of takes care of itself doing business sometimes requires no
doing business sometimes requires no
doing business sometimes requires no assistance and sometimes could be very
assistance and sometimes could be very
assistance and sometimes could be very boring do you have the same fun from
boring do you have the same fun from
boring do you have the same fun from innovation as from business running a
innovation as from business running a
innovation as from business running a business well just an innovator engineer
business well just an innovator engineer
business well just an innovator engineer instead of a business owner or runner I
instead of a business owner or runner I
instead of a business owner or runner I mean I’d love to just do innovation work
mean I’d love to just do innovation work
mean I’d love to just do innovation work and just to engineering but you raise a
and just to engineering but you raise a
and just to engineering but you raise a good point because you know a lot of
good point because you know a lot of
good point because you know a lot of life in general any job there’s like you
life in general any job there’s like you
life in general any job there’s like you have to do your chores you know there’s
have to do your chores you know there’s
have to do your chores you know there’s no nobody can do that for you well it’s
no nobody can do that for you well it’s
no nobody can do that for you well it’s yet I think to be successful at almost
yet I think to be successful at almost
yet I think to be successful at almost anything you can’t if you have to do the
anything you can’t if you have to do the
anything you can’t if you have to do the tough stuff and as well as the enjoyable
tough stuff and as well as the enjoyable
tough stuff and as well as the enjoyable stuff you have to do the boring stuff as
stuff you have to do the boring stuff as
stuff you have to do the boring stuff as well as the non boring stuff and if you
well as the non boring stuff and if you
well as the non boring stuff and if you don’t do your chores then bad things
don’t do your chores then bad things
don’t do your chores then bad things will happen but if they don’t do the
will happen but if they don’t do the
will happen but if they don’t do the things that they don’t like to do then
things that they don’t like to do then
things that they don’t like to do then the company will be in trouble yeah like
the company will be in trouble yeah like
the company will be in trouble yeah like you have to basically be like it’s more
you have to basically be like it’s more
you have to basically be like it’s more fun to cook the meal than to to clean
fun to cook the meal than to to clean
fun to cook the meal than to to clean the dishes
the dishes
the dishes okay but you need to clean the dishes
taeo SpaceX and you’ve said that your
taeo SpaceX and you’ve said that your ultimate goal is to get humankind to
ultimate goal is to get humankind to
ultimate goal is to get humankind to Mars I’ve heard your response to the
Mars I’ve heard your response to the
Mars I’ve heard your response to the question but these guys need to hear it
question but these guys need to hear it
question but these guys need to hear it why is Mars important why does Mars
why is Mars important why does Mars
why is Mars important why does Mars matter sure well it’s really a
matter sure well it’s really a
matter sure well it’s really a fundamental surgeon we need to make as a
fundamental surgeon we need to make as a
fundamental surgeon we need to make as a civilization you know what kind of
civilization you know what kind of
civilization you know what kind of future do we want do you want a future
future do we want do you want a future
future do we want do you want a future where we are forever confined to one
where we are forever confined to one
where we are forever confined to one planet until some eventual extinction
planet until some eventual extinction
planet until some eventual extinction event however far in the future that
event however far in the future that
event however far in the future that might occur or do we want to become a
might occur or do we want to become a
might occur or do we want to become a multi-planet species and and then
multi-planet species and and then
multi-planet species and and then ultimately be out there among the stars
ultimately be out there among the stars
ultimately be out there among the stars being among many planets many star
being among many planets many star
being among many planets many star systems and I think the latter is a far
systems and I think the latter is a far
systems and I think the latter is a far more exciting and inspiring future than
more exciting and inspiring future than
more exciting and inspiring future than the former and and Mars is the next
the former and and Mars is the next
the former and and Mars is the next natural step in fact it’s the only
natural step in fact it’s the only
natural step in fact it’s the only planet we really have a shot at at
planet we really have a shot at at
planet we really have a shot at at establishing a self-sustaining City on
establishing a self-sustaining City on
establishing a self-sustaining City on and and I think once we do establish
and and I think once we do establish
and and I think once we do establish such a city there will be a strong
such a city there will be a strong
such a city there will be a strong forcing function for the improvement of
forcing function for the improvement of
forcing function for the improvement of spaceflight technology that will then
spaceflight technology that will then
spaceflight technology that will then enable us to establish colonies
enable us to establish colonies
enable us to establish colonies elsewhere in the solar system and
elsewhere in the solar system and
elsewhere in the solar system and ultimately extend beyond the beyond our
ultimately extend beyond the beyond our
ultimately extend beyond the beyond our solar system and and so there’s the
solar system and and so there’s the
solar system and and so there’s the defensive reason of protecting the
defensive reason of protecting the
defensive reason of protecting the future of humanity ensuring that the
future of humanity ensuring that the
future of humanity ensuring that the line of consciousness is not
line of consciousness is not
line of consciousness is not extinguished should some calamity before
extinguished should some calamity before
extinguished should some calamity before earth but also and that’s the defense of
earth but also and that’s the defense of
earth but also and that’s the defense of reason but personally I find the more
reason but personally I find the more
reason but personally I find the more the word what it gets me more excited is
the word what it gets me more excited is
the word what it gets me more excited is is the fact that this would be an
is the fact that this would be an
is the fact that this would be an incredible adventure maybe like the
incredible adventure maybe like the
incredible adventure maybe like the greatest adventure ever mm-hmm and it
greatest adventure ever mm-hmm and it
greatest adventure ever mm-hmm and it would be exciting and inspiring and they
would be exciting and inspiring and they
would be exciting and inspiring and they need to be things that excite and
need to be things that excite and
need to be things that excite and inspire people yeah
inspire people yeah
inspire people yeah after your you know reasons why you get
after your you know reasons why you get
after your you know reasons why you get up in the morning it can’t just be
up in the morning it can’t just be
up in the morning it can’t just be solving problems it’s got to be yeah
solving problems it’s got to be yeah
solving problems it’s got to be yeah something something great is gonna
something something great is gonna
something something great is gonna happen in the future yeah we talked
happen in the future yeah we talked
happen in the future yeah we talked about this at length yesterday it’s it’s
about this at length yesterday it’s it’s
about this at length yesterday it’s it’s not an exit strategy or a back-up plan
not an exit strategy or a back-up plan
not an exit strategy or a back-up plan for humankind Earth fails right it’s
for humankind Earth fails right it’s
for humankind Earth fails right it’s also to inspire people on earth right
also to inspire people on earth right
also to inspire people on earth right and to transcend and to think to go
and to transcend and to think to go
and to transcend and to think to go beyond our
beyond our
beyond our mental limits of what we think we can
mental limits of what we think we can
mental limits of what we think we can achieve right I mean I think it sort of
achieve right I mean I think it sort of
achieve right I mean I think it sort of how incredible the Apollo program was
how incredible the Apollo program was
how incredible the Apollo program was and just yeah I mean if you ask anyone
and just yeah I mean if you ask anyone
and just yeah I mean if you ask anyone and to name name some of humanity’s
and to name name some of humanity’s
and to name name some of humanity’s greatest achievements in the 20th
greatest achievements in the 20th
greatest achievements in the 20th century the Apollo program landing on
century the Apollo program landing on
century the Apollo program landing on the moon would wouldn’t it and in many
the moon would wouldn’t it and in many
the moon would wouldn’t it and in many of my most cases be number one 2001 with
of my most cases be number one 2001 with
of my most cases be number one 2001 with just just touring a friend of mine and
just just touring a friend of mine and
just just touring a friend of mine and did you ask me yes we was gonna do have
did you ask me yes we was gonna do have
did you ask me yes we was gonna do have to pay for how long I thought well you
to pay for how long I thought well you
to pay for how long I thought well you know I was wondering like I’d like to
know I was wondering like I’d like to
know I was wondering like I’d like to get involved in space but I just didn’t
get involved in space but I just didn’t
get involved in space but I just didn’t think there was anything for you as an
think there was anything for you as an
think there was anything for you as an individual and betters curious as to win
individual and betters curious as to win
individual and betters curious as to win we wintered NASA would be standing a
we wintered NASA would be standing a
we wintered NASA would be standing a team to Mars because that was always
team to Mars because that was always
team to Mars because that was always gonna be the thing to do after I’ve
gonna be the thing to do after I’ve
gonna be the thing to do after I’ve moved I figured that there’d be some
moved I figured that there’d be some
moved I figured that there’d be some plan and I just got a website and I
plan and I just got a website and I
plan and I just got a website and I could read the you know the schedule
then Mars there’s oh yeah it’s like okay
then Mars there’s oh yeah it’s like okay 2017 good okay but actually there wasn’t
2017 good okay but actually there wasn’t
2017 good okay but actually there wasn’t anything on on the website and or at
anything on on the website and or at
anything on on the website and or at least I thought like am I can and I’ll
least I thought like am I can and I’ll
least I thought like am I can and I’ll find it like what’s gonna under here and
find it like what’s gonna under here and
find it like what’s gonna under here and it’s a secret I don’t know I so but it
it’s a secret I don’t know I so but it
it’s a secret I don’t know I so but it turned out that that NASA had done a
turned out that that NASA had done a
turned out that that NASA had done a study on what it would cost us and did
study on what it would cost us and did
study on what it would cost us and did to do a manned Mars mission and I this
to do a manned Mars mission and I this
to do a manned Mars mission and I this was under Bush the first and I suppose
was under Bush the first and I suppose
was under Bush the first and I suppose he asked for a 90-day study she would
he asked for a 90-day study she would
he asked for a 90-day study she would laugh to taking office and NASA came
laugh to taking office and NASA came
laugh to taking office and NASA came back with a 500 billion dollar price tag
back with a 500 billion dollar price tag
back with a 500 billion dollar price tag and he said okay maybe not billion lb
and he said okay maybe not billion lb
and he said okay maybe not billion lb that’s been 500 billion dollars was
that’s been 500 billion dollars was
that’s been 500 billion dollars was serious money
if for the government so I so then that
if for the government so I so then that got totally shelf and it was like you’re
got totally shelf and it was like you’re
got totally shelf and it was like you’re not allowed to talk about any kind of
not allowed to talk about any kind of
not allowed to talk about any kind of crude mission to Mars at NASA anyway so
crude mission to Mars at NASA anyway so
crude mission to Mars at NASA anyway so I thought well if I could do something
I thought well if I could do something
I thought well if I could do something that would galvanize public interest
that would galvanize public interest
that would galvanize public interest yeah and then that public interest would
yeah and then that public interest would
yeah and then that public interest would translate to additional appropriations
translate to additional appropriations
translate to additional appropriations for NASA
for NASA
for NASA who’s that their budget then then maybe
who’s that their budget then then maybe
who’s that their budget then then maybe they could do it so the foots actually
they could do it so the foots actually
they could do it so the foots actually what I sort of thinking I would do is
what I sort of thinking I would do is
what I sort of thinking I would do is stand at a small greenhouse the surface
stand at a small greenhouse the surface
stand at a small greenhouse the surface of Mars
of Mars
of Mars versed’s and dehydrated gel and then
versed’s and dehydrated gel and then
versed’s and dehydrated gel and then upon landing hydrate the jelly bread
upon landing hydrate the jelly bread
upon landing hydrate the jelly bread plants and the public has to respond to
plants and the public has to respond to
plants and the public has to respond to precedents and superlatives so this
precedents and superlatives so this
precedents and superlatives so this would be the farthest that life’s ever
would be the farthest that life’s ever
would be the farthest that life’s ever traveled the first life on Mars
traveled the first life on Mars
traveled the first life on Mars I tried to figure out how to do this
I tried to figure out how to do this
I tried to figure out how to do this with the proceeds that I had from from
with the proceeds that I had from from
with the proceeds that I had from from PayPal and I was able to figure out how
PayPal and I was able to figure out how
PayPal and I was able to figure out how to get the cost of the spacecraft down
to get the cost of the spacecraft down
to get the cost of the spacecraft down and the communications and and the
and the communications and and the
and the communications and and the little greenhouse and everything but the
little greenhouse and everything but the
little greenhouse and everything but the one thing I couldn’t compress was the
one thing I couldn’t compress was the
one thing I couldn’t compress was the cost launch it was there only a few
cost launch it was there only a few
cost launch it was there only a few options and the us options were way too
options and the us options were way too
options and the us options were way too expensive and I ended up going to Russia
expensive and I ended up going to Russia
expensive and I ended up going to Russia three times to try to buy the biggest
three times to try to buy the biggest
three times to try to buy the biggest ICBM in the Russian nuclear fleet
ICBM in the Russian nuclear fleet
ICBM in the Russian nuclear fleet that’s where I’d start yeah yeah go baby
that’s where I’d start yeah yeah go baby
that’s where I’d start yeah yeah go baby yeah I mean okay
yeah I mean okay
yeah I mean okay but they it was so there was some
but they it was so there was some
but they it was so there was some strange trips that’s for sure but you
strange trips that’s for sure but you
strange trips that’s for sure but you know it’s like virtually like you can
know it’s like virtually like you can
know it’s like virtually like you can buy any it’s a very capitalist society
buy any it’s a very capitalist society
buy any it’s a very capitalist society somewhere
somewhere
somewhere so actually did negotiate a deal to buy
so actually did negotiate a deal to buy
so actually did negotiate a deal to buy two of the ICBMs – the nukes and but I
two of the ICBMs – the nukes and but I
two of the ICBMs – the nukes and but I came to conclusion after that third trip
came to conclusion after that third trip
came to conclusion after that third trip that it wouldn’t really matter like you
that it wouldn’t really matter like you
that it wouldn’t really matter like you for food I actually came conclusion that
for food I actually came conclusion that
for food I actually came conclusion that my initial premise was was was wrong
my initial premise was was was wrong
my initial premise was was was wrong because I actually think there’s a story
because I actually think there’s a story
because I actually think there’s a story about a will in the American population
about a will in the American population
about a will in the American population particularly to to explore the United
particularly to to explore the United
particularly to to explore the United States
States
States you know maybe more than any other
you know maybe more than any other
you know maybe more than any other country is a distillation of the human
country is a distillation of the human
country is a distillation of the human spirit of exploration and it’s really
spirit of exploration and it’s really
spirit of exploration and it’s really fundamental to psyche so if people think
fundamental to psyche so if people think
fundamental to psyche so if people think there’s a way I think could actually get
there’s a way I think could actually get
there’s a way I think could actually get a lot of support but but then it can’t
a lot of support but but then it can’t
a lot of support but but then it can’t be just banging your head against the
be just banging your head against the
be just banging your head against the wall I gotta believe that this can be
wall I gotta believe that this can be
wall I gotta believe that this can be done without breaking the federal budget
done without breaking the federal budget
done without breaking the federal budget so that’s when I said okay well is there
so that’s when I said okay well is there
so that’s when I said okay well is there some way to affect the cost of space
some way to affect the cost of space
some way to affect the cost of space transport and and is and so I got
transport and and is and so I got
transport and and is and so I got together with a group of people of a
together with a group of people of a
together with a group of people of a series of Saturday’s just to just try it
series of Saturday’s just to just try it
series of Saturday’s just to just try it outside is there something super
outside is there something super
outside is there something super experimental super expensive about
experimental super expensive about
experimental super expensive about rockets or can the cost be substantially
rockets or can the cost be substantially
rockets or can the cost be substantially improved and I had a bunch of those kind
improved and I had a bunch of those kind
improved and I had a bunch of those kind of brainstorming sessions and I couldn’t
of brainstorming sessions and I couldn’t
of brainstorming sessions and I couldn’t see I couldn’t see any fundamental
see I couldn’t see any fundamental
see I couldn’t see any fundamental obstacle to improving the cost of
obstacle to improving the cost of
obstacle to improving the cost of rockets so that’s when I started SpaceX
rockets so that’s when I started SpaceX
rockets so that’s when I started SpaceX like I’ll just build them myself
like I’ll just build them myself
like I’ll just build them myself yeah and then but I said at that point I
yeah and then but I said at that point I
yeah and then but I said at that point I would say the probability of success was
would say the probability of success was
would say the probability of success was definitely less than 30% I thought it
definitely less than 30% I thought it
definitely less than 30% I thought it would most likely not succeed but was
would most likely not succeed but was
would most likely not succeed but was worth a try you know I I didn’t have as
worth a try you know I I didn’t have as
worth a try you know I I didn’t have as many personal relationships as I
many personal relationships as I
many personal relationships as I probably would have liked you know I put
probably would have liked you know I put
probably would have liked you know I put personal relationships aside you know I
girlfriends where it was like me or your
girlfriends where it was like me or your business and out you know I was like
business and out you know I was like
business and out you know I was like what was your name again
what was your name again
what was your name again you know you think I’m kidding
you know you think I’m kidding
you know you think I’m kidding so it probably took things to an extreme
so it probably took things to an extreme
so it probably took things to an extreme but yeah I gave up on personal
but yeah I gave up on personal
but yeah I gave up on personal relationships and a big respect because
relationships and a big respect because
relationships and a big respect because I really was on a mission and once I
I really was on a mission and once I
I really was on a mission and once I once I realized I was going so when I
once I realized I was going so when I
once I realized I was going so when I sold my first company I bought a
sold my first company I bought a
sold my first company I bought a lifetime pass in American Airlines and
lifetime pass in American Airlines and
lifetime pass in American Airlines and my goal was just a party with like a
my goal was just a party with like a
my goal was just a party with like a rock star in as many countries with as
rock star in as many countries with as
rock star in as many countries with as many people as I possibly could then I
many people as I possibly could then I
many people as I possibly could then I went back and got involved in the
went back and got involved in the
went back and got involved in the streaming business and I remember
streaming business and I remember
streaming business and I remember sitting there and telling you know we
sitting there and telling you know we
sitting there and telling you know we had probably 10 employees and look the
had probably 10 employees and look the
had probably 10 employees and look the streaming thing I think is gonna be
streaming thing I think is gonna be
streaming thing I think is gonna be really big and so we really have to
really big and so we really have to
really big and so we really have to focus and there’s going to be some
focus and there’s going to be some
focus and there’s going to be some sacrifices and if you’re willing to make
sacrifices and if you’re willing to make
sacrifices and if you’re willing to make those sacrifices let’s go and if you’re
those sacrifices let’s go and if you’re
those sacrifices let’s go and if you’re not I understand you know you make your
not I understand you know you make your
not I understand you know you make your own decisions and I was willing to make
own decisions and I was willing to make
own decisions and I was willing to make those sacrifices and you know it all
those sacrifices and you know it all
those sacrifices and you know it all turned out great in the long run but
turned out great in the long run but
turned out great in the long run but during that time it wasn’t always wasn’t
during that time it wasn’t always wasn’t
during that time it wasn’t always wasn’t always easy and wasn’t always ask
always easy and wasn’t always ask
always easy and wasn’t always ask everybody to not think in two to
everybody to not think in two to
everybody to not think in two to three-year timeframes but to think in
three-year timeframes but to think in
three-year timeframes but to think in five to seven-year timeframes to not
five to seven-year timeframes to not
five to seven-year timeframes to not think about when somebody says to me
think about when somebody says to me
think about when somebody says to me congratulate Sam azan on a good quarter
congratulate Sam azan on a good quarter
congratulate Sam azan on a good quarter which is a very common thing to say you
which is a very common thing to say you
which is a very common thing to say you meet somebody they’re being nice they
meet somebody they’re being nice they
meet somebody they’re being nice they looked at your financial results for the
looked at your financial results for the
looked at your financial results for the quarters of a good quarter I say thank
quarters of a good quarter I say thank
quarters of a good quarter I say thank you but what I’m thinking to myself is
you but what I’m thinking to myself is
you but what I’m thinking to myself is that quarter all that those quarterly
that quarter all that those quarterly
that quarter all that those quarterly results were actually pretty much fully
results were actually pretty much fully
results were actually pretty much fully baked about three years ago and so like
baked about three years ago and so like
baked about three years ago and so like today I’m working on
today I’m working on
today I’m working on you know a quarter that is gonna happen
you know a quarter that is gonna happen
you know a quarter that is gonna happen in 2020 not next quarter next quarter
in 2020 not next quarter next quarter
in 2020 not next quarter next quarter for all practical purposes is done
for all practical purposes is done
for all practical purposes is done already and it’s probably been done for
already and it’s probably been done for
already and it’s probably been done for a couple of years and so if you start to
a couple of years and so if you start to
a couple of years and so if you start to think that way it changes how you spend
think that way it changes how you spend
think that way it changes how you spend your time how you plan where you put
your time how you plan where you put
your time how you plan where you put your energy and and your ability to look
your energy and and your ability to look
your energy and and your ability to look around corners gets better so many
around corners gets better so many
around corners gets better so many things improve if you can take a long
things improve if you can take a long
things improve if you can take a long term by the way it’s not natural for
term by the way it’s not natural for
term by the way it’s not natural for humans so it’s a it’s a discipline that
humans so it’s a it’s a discipline that
humans so it’s a it’s a discipline that you have to build the kind of you know
you have to build the kind of you know
you have to build the kind of you know get rich slowly schemes are not big
get rich slowly schemes are not big
get rich slowly schemes are not big sellers on infomercials you know it’s
sellers on infomercials you know it’s
sellers on infomercials you know it’s and so that’s something that you have to
and so that’s something that you have to
and so that’s something that you have to sort of steel yourself for discipline
sort of steel yourself for discipline
sort of steel yourself for discipline and teach over time the key the key to I
and teach over time the key the key to I
and teach over time the key the key to I think being a good business leader is is
think being a good business leader is is
think being a good business leader is is your is how good you are with people I
your is how good you are with people I
your is how good you are with people I think if you can care it genuinely care
think if you can care it genuinely care
think if you can care it genuinely care about people and not just your fellow
about people and not just your fellow
about people and not just your fellow directors but you know the cleaning lady
directors but you know the cleaning lady
directors but you know the cleaning lady the switchboard operator
the switchboard operator
the switchboard operator you know everybody throughout the
you know everybody throughout the
you know everybody throughout the company you know if you’re a good you
company you know if you’re a good you
company you know if you’re a good you know if you you know if you praise and
know if you you know if you praise and
know if you you know if you praise and don’t criticize you know people people
don’t criticize you know people people
don’t criticize you know people people will flourish and so I think you know
will flourish and so I think you know
will flourish and so I think you know it’s really your people’s skills that
it’s really your people’s skills that
it’s really your people’s skills that will set you set you apart and and and
will set you set you apart and and and
will set you set you apart and and and and I don’t think that could be over
and I don’t think that could be over
and I don’t think that could be over over emphasized I think just you just
over emphasized I think just you just
over emphasized I think just you just got to you know if I’m on a virgin plane
got to you know if I’m on a virgin plane
got to you know if I’m on a virgin plane I will make sure that I always have a
I will make sure that I always have a
I will make sure that I always have a notebook in my pack back pocket you know
notebook in my pack back pocket you know
notebook in my pack back pocket you know make sure I get out and talk to all the
make sure I get out and talk to all the
make sure I get out and talk to all the staff you know if they’ve got issues you
staff you know if they’ve got issues you
staff you know if they’ve got issues you know make sure I don’t just you know
know make sure I don’t just you know
know make sure I don’t just you know hear the issue or not write it down make
hear the issue or not write it down make
hear the issue or not write it down make sure those those issues get written down
sure those those issues get written down
sure those those issues get written down you know talk to the passengers if
you know talk to the passengers if
you know talk to the passengers if they’ve got issues make sure those
they’ve got issues make sure those
they’ve got issues make sure those issues get written down as much as
issues get written down as much as
issues get written down as much as possible
possible
possible look for the job that you would take if
look for the job that you would take if
look for the job that you would take if you didn’t need a job
you didn’t need a job
you didn’t need a job I mean don’t sleep walk through life and
I mean don’t sleep walk through life and
I mean don’t sleep walk through life and don’t don’t say it’s all going to be
don’t don’t say it’s all going to be
don’t don’t say it’s all going to be great you know I’ll do this and I’ll do
great you know I’ll do this and I’ll do
great you know I’ll do this and I’ll do that you know I’m just marking time
that you know I’m just marking time
that you know I’m just marking time doesn’t to be older that I’ve told
doesn’t to be older that I’ve told
doesn’t to be older that I’ve told people that’s like saving up sex for
people that’s like saving up sex for
people that’s like saving up sex for your old age it’s not a good idea you
your old age it’s not a good idea you
your old age it’s not a good idea you really want to be doing what you love
really want to be doing what you love
really want to be doing what you love doing and necessarily find it on your
doing and necessarily find it on your
doing and necessarily find it on your first job but don’t give up before you
first job but don’t give up before you
first job but don’t give up before you find it the world can never have a one
find it the world can never have a one
find it the world can never have a one motto if the world has only one correct
motto if the world has only one correct
motto if the world has only one correct a motto there was too boring right we
a motto there was too boring right we
a motto there was too boring right we need to have all kinds of models and the
need to have all kinds of models and the
need to have all kinds of models and the people who do the bottom should believe
people who do the bottom should believe
people who do the bottom should believe in the model and I believe what I do
in the model and I believe what I do
in the model and I believe what I do right the difference between Amazon and
right the difference between Amazon and
right the difference between Amazon and us Amazon is more like an empire
us Amazon is more like an empire
us Amazon is more like an empire everything they should control
everything they should control
everything they should control themselves buy and sell and our
themselves buy and sell and our
themselves buy and sell and our philosophy is that we want to be an
philosophy is that we want to be an
philosophy is that we want to be an ecosystem our philosophy is to empower
ecosystem our philosophy is to empower
ecosystem our philosophy is to empower others to sell empower others to sit to
others to sell empower others to sit to
others to sell empower others to sit to service empower making sure the other
service empower making sure the other
service empower making sure the other people are more powerful than us making
people are more powerful than us making
people are more powerful than us making sure with our technology our innovation
sure with our technology our innovation
sure with our technology our innovation our partners I was 10 very small
our partners I was 10 very small
our partners I was 10 very small business sellers they can compete with
business sellers they can compete with
business sellers they can compete with Microsoft IBM our philosophy is a we we
Microsoft IBM our philosophy is a we we
Microsoft IBM our philosophy is a we we think using Internet technology we can
think using Internet technology we can
think using Internet technology we can make every company become Amazon I
make every company become Amazon I
make every company become Amazon I really thought like how can I provide
really thought like how can I provide
really thought like how can I provide advice that would be most helpful and
advice that would be most helpful and
advice that would be most helpful and I’m not sure I give it enough thought to
I’m not sure I give it enough thought to
I’m not sure I give it enough thought to to that to give you the best possible
to that to give you the best possible
to that to give you the best possible answer but I think
answer but I think
answer but I think I think certainly being focused on
I think certainly being focused on
I think certainly being focused on something that you’re confident will
something that you’re confident will
something that you’re confident will have high value to someone else and just
have high value to someone else and just
have high value to someone else and just being really rigorous in making that
being really rigorous in making that
being really rigorous in making that assessment because people are tend to
assessment because people are tend to
assessment because people are tend to natural human tendencies wishful
natural human tendencies wishful
natural human tendencies wishful thinking so a challenge for
thinking so a challenge for
thinking so a challenge for entrepreneurs is to say well what’s the
entrepreneurs is to say well what’s the
entrepreneurs is to say well what’s the difference between really believing in
difference between really believing in
difference between really believing in your ideals and sticking sticking to
your ideals and sticking sticking to
your ideals and sticking sticking to them versus pursuing some unrealistic
them versus pursuing some unrealistic
them versus pursuing some unrealistic dream that doesn’t actually have merit
dream that doesn’t actually have merit
dream that doesn’t actually have merit and it’s it’s that is it that is a
and it’s it’s that is it that is a
and it’s it’s that is it that is a really difficult thing to to tell you
really difficult thing to to tell you
really difficult thing to to tell you can you tell the difference between
can you tell the difference between
can you tell the difference between those two things
those two things
those two things yeah so you need to be sort of very
yeah so you need to be sort of very
yeah so you need to be sort of very rigorous in your self self analysis I
rigorous in your self self analysis I
rigorous in your self self analysis I think certainly extremely tenacious and
think certainly extremely tenacious and
think certainly extremely tenacious and and then just work like hell I mean you
and then just work like hell I mean you
and then just work like hell I mean you just have to put in you know 80 hour 80
just have to put in you know 80 hour 80
just have to put in you know 80 hour 80 100 hour weeks every week and then
100 hour weeks every week and then
100 hour weeks every week and then matter like that all those things
matter like that all those things
matter like that all those things improve the odds of success okay
improve the odds of success okay
improve the odds of success okay I mean if other people are putting in 40
I mean if other people are putting in 40
I mean if other people are putting in 40 hour work weeks and you’re putting in
hour work weeks and you’re putting in
hour work weeks and you’re putting in 100 hour work weeks then even if you’re
100 hour work weeks then even if you’re
100 hour work weeks then even if you’re doing the same thing you know that in in
doing the same thing you know that in in
doing the same thing you know that in in one year you will achieve what that you
one year you will achieve what that you
one year you will achieve what that you will achieve in four months what it
will achieve in four months what it
will achieve in four months what it takes them a year to achieve so it’s
takes them a year to achieve so it’s
takes them a year to achieve so it’s it’s easy to have ideas it’s very hard
it’s easy to have ideas it’s very hard
it’s easy to have ideas it’s very hard to turn an idea into a successful
to turn an idea into a successful
to turn an idea into a successful product there are a lot of steps in
product there are a lot of steps in
product there are a lot of steps in between it takes persistence
between it takes persistence
between it takes persistence relentlessness so I always tell people
relentlessness so I always tell people
relentlessness so I always tell people who are you know who think they want to
who are you know who think they want to
who are you know who think they want to be entrepreneurs it’s you need a
be entrepreneurs it’s you need a
be entrepreneurs it’s you need a combination of stubborn relentlessness
combination of stubborn relentlessness
combination of stubborn relentlessness and flexibility and you have to know
and flexibility and you have to know
and flexibility and you have to know when to bewitch and basically you need
when to bewitch and basically you need
when to bewitch and basically you need to be stubborn on your vision because
to be stubborn on your vision because
to be stubborn on your vision because otherwise it’ll be too easy to give up
otherwise it’ll be too easy to give up
otherwise it’ll be too easy to give up but you need to be very flexible on the
but you need to be very flexible on the
but you need to be very flexible on the details because as you go along pursuing
details because as you go along pursuing
details because as you go along pursuing your vision you’ll find that some of
your vision you’ll find that some of
your vision you’ll find that some of your preconceptions were wrong and
your preconceptions were wrong and
your preconceptions were wrong and you’re going to need to be able to
you’re going to need to be able to
you’re going to need to be able to change those things so I think
change those things so I think
change those things so I think taking an idea successfully all the way
taking an idea successfully all the way
taking an idea successfully all the way to the market and turning it into a real
to the market and turning it into a real
to the market and turning it into a real product that people care about and that
product that people care about and that
product that people care about and that really improves people’s lives it’s a
really improves people’s lives it’s a
really improves people’s lives it’s a lot of hard work we just have to try
lot of hard work we just have to try
lot of hard work we just have to try different things and even even if 99% of
different things and even even if 99% of
different things and even even if 99% of them fail you only have to be right one
them fail you only have to be right one
them fail you only have to be right one time you don’t have to figure it all out
time you don’t have to figure it all out
time you don’t have to figure it all out in advance you can be wrong you could
in advance you can be wrong you could
in advance you can be wrong you could pick the wrong career you can pick the
pick the wrong career you can pick the
pick the wrong career you can pick the wrong job you can pick the wrong spouse
wrong job you can pick the wrong spouse
wrong job you can pick the wrong spouse you could pick the wrong whatever but
you could pick the wrong whatever but
you could pick the wrong whatever but you get it right one time you’re set but
you get it right one time you’re set but
you get it right one time you’re set but if you don’t try and if you don’t go out
if you don’t try and if you don’t go out
if you don’t try and if you don’t go out there and try all those different things
there and try all those different things
there and try all those different things you’ll never get that one time and so
you’ll never get that one time and so
you’ll never get that one time and so it’s not a question of okay how much
it’s not a question of okay how much
it’s not a question of okay how much stuff is different stuff do I do or how
stuff is different stuff do I do or how
stuff is different stuff do I do or how many different things should you try try
many different things should you try try
many different things should you try try them all try them all to find the one
them all try them all to find the one
them all try them all to find the one you like and then it’s like it gets
you like and then it’s like it gets
you like and then it’s like it gets really easy because even what’s up
really easy because even what’s up
really easy because even what’s up you’re on a mission you’re loving what
you’re on a mission you’re loving what
you’re on a mission you’re loving what you do you know and then then it gets
you do you know and then then it gets
you do you know and then then it gets easy and so that’s just the approach
easy and so that’s just the approach
easy and so that’s just the approach I’ve always tried to instill in people
I’ve always tried to instill in people
I’ve always tried to instill in people who work for me and myself everything I
who work for me and myself everything I
who work for me and myself everything I did I was following something I really
did I was following something I really
did I was following something I really cared about something I loved something
cared about something I loved something
cared about something I loved something I was passionate about and I kept
I was passionate about and I kept
I was passionate about and I kept following that passion whether it was
following that passion whether it was
following that passion whether it was cars whether it was anthropology whether
cars whether it was anthropology whether
cars whether it was anthropology whether it was art photography and eventually it
it was art photography and eventually it
it was art photography and eventually it led me to my huge patch my real passion
led me to my huge patch my real passion
led me to my huge patch my real passion which was making movies which combined
which was making movies which combined
which was making movies which combined all those things and I realized that had
all those things and I realized that had
all those things and I realized that had I gone on to get my degree in
I gone on to get my degree in
I gone on to get my degree in anthropology I would have probably made
anthropology I would have probably made
anthropology I would have probably made anthropological movies in New Guinea or
anthropological movies in New Guinea or
anthropological movies in New Guinea or someplace and eventually been on
someplace and eventually been on
someplace and eventually been on National Geographic
National Geographic
National Geographic History Channel and
History Channel and
History Channel and Ben than making features and I had done
Ben than making features and I had done
Ben than making features and I had done Star Wars just the same if I’d have gone
Star Wars just the same if I’d have gone
Star Wars just the same if I’d have gone to Art Center and become an illustrator
to Art Center and become an illustrator
to Art Center and become an illustrator I would have probably started doing
I would have probably started doing
I would have probably started doing animation and doing animated films and
animation and doing animated films and
animation and doing animated films and making animated things and it ultimately
making animated things and it ultimately
making animated things and it ultimately I would have gone on and been right
I would have gone on and been right
I would have gone on and been right where it was so no matter which route I
where it was so no matter which route I
where it was so no matter which route I took because I cared about all they all
took because I cared about all they all
took because I cared about all they all went to the same place had I done what
went to the same place had I done what
went to the same place had I done what my father had wished me to do which is
my father had wished me to do which is
my father had wished me to do which is to go into these office equipment
to go into these office equipment
to go into these office equipment business with him which I knew I do I
business with him which I knew I do I
business with him which I knew I do I knew I hated that my life would have
knew I hated that my life would have
knew I hated that my life would have been unpleasant and so I think it’s very
been unpleasant and so I think it’s very
been unpleasant and so I think it’s very important not to do what you’re
important not to do what you’re
important not to do what you’re purists think you should do not do what
purists think you should do not do what
purists think you should do not do what your parents think you should do or your
your parents think you should do or your
your parents think you should do or your teachers but to do with you inside or
teachers but to do with you inside or
teachers but to do with you inside or even your culture things but do what’s
even your culture things but do what’s
even your culture things but do what’s inside you
”
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