Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Celebrity, Elon Musk, Science, Technology
Abbi Murray
Elon Musk has provided his expert opinion on the future of humankind, suggesting we should not aspire to live longer.
In a candid interview with Insider's Mathias Döpfner, the Tesla CEO exchanged views on everything from the war in Ukraine, to the future of human evolution, and even providing a brief glimpse into his private life.
Musk was open about his views on death, as he animatedly discussed the philosophical intricacies of the future of humankind.
He said: "I don't think we should try to have people live for a really long time. That it would cause asphyxiation of society because the truth is, most people don't change their mind. They just die.
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“So, if they don't die, we will be stuck with old ideas and society wouldn't advance."
Musk believes this problem is already rife in the United States, where old and out-of-touch leadership is the norm.
He said: “For a democracy to function, the leaders must be reasonably in touch with the bulk of the population.
“And if you're too young or too old, you can't say that you will be attached.”
When questioned on the longevity of his own life, Musk said he ‘would like to maintain health for a longer period of time’ but that he isn’t afraid of dying.
He said: “I think it would come as a relief.”
Musk also took the interview opportunity to remind everyone that, despite having billions in the bank, he’s just a normal human being who gets lonely from time to time.
The billionaire mogul was asked whether he was happy, with Döpfner reminding him he had previously said he cannot be happy if he isn't in love. Musk replied: “I think there are degrees of love. But certainly, for one to be fully happy, I think you have to be happy at work and happy in love.
“So, I suppose I’m medium happy."
Musk recently split from his on-again off-again partner Grimes, with whom he shares two children.
Since their very public break-up, Grimes has been linked to military whistleblower Chelsea Manning, which has perhaps led Musk to contemplate his own happiness.
In a rare glimpse into the mind of the world’s richest man, Musk admitted that loneliness is a normal part of his life now.
He went on to say: “There are times when I’m lonely. I’m sure there are times when everyone is lonely. But it’s pretty basic.”
“Say if I’m working on the Starship rocket and I’m just staying in my little house by myself, especially if my dog is not with me, then I feel quite lonely because I’m just in a little house by myself with no dog.”
Well, perhaps money doesn’t buy happiness after all.