Elon Musk's audacity and confrontational approach have aroused both passionate support and furious criticism. Brendan Smialowski / AFP
Elon Musk's audacity and confrontational approach have aroused both passionate support and furious criticism. Brendan Smialowski / AFP
Elon Musk's audacity and confrontational approach have aroused both passionate support and furious criticism. Brendan Smialowski / AFP
Elon Musk's audacity and confrontational approach have aroused both passionate support and furious criticism. Brendan Smialowski / AFP

It takes audacity and ambition to change the world


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“When Henry Ford made cheap, reliable cars, people said: 'What’s wrong with a horse?’ That was a huge bet he made and it worked.”

So said Elon Musk, the billionaire businessman and innovator, in an interview in 2003. Its implication was clear: that Mr Musk sees himself among the great cohort of inventors, from Thomas Edison to Leonardo da Vinci, whose creations altered the course of history.

It is that perceived arrogance that has fuelled Mr Musk’s many detractors. The scattergun approach that underpins his genius – Mr Musk is working simultaneously on electric cars, the hyperloop and space exploration – is perhaps most maddening for his shareholders, who are right to demand some say in the direction of the companies into which they have deposited their money.

But revelations this week that Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund could help fund a deal to take Tesla private – with the involvement of Goldman Sachs and others – could lend him legitimacy on international markets. It is unclear how history will remember Mr Musk but should mass uptake in electric cars arise, we will most likely have him to thank.

But it is Mr Musk's spirit that sets him apart. His is a style not unfamiliar to residents of the UAE, where bold, aspirational projects – from the Burj Khalifa to the Emirates Mars Mission – are the norm. Mr Musk plans to reduce travel time from New York City to Washington DC to 29 minutes and make man a multi-planetary species by colonising Mars. On both, he can already point to discernible technical progress.

In the UAE and elsewhere, his Tesla vehicles are already a familiar sight. But he is not a pioneer without principles: last year he called for a ban on the use of autonomous weapons in war.

In the coming years, Mr Musk's projects will require billions in funding. Securing it will require him to improve the way he deals with investors.

Meanwhile his detractors will need to recognise that greatness cannot be realised without occasional failure – and that it takes a healthy dose of audacity and ambition to change the world for the better.

MATCH INFO

Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD

* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10

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Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Arabian Gulf League fixtures:

Friday:

  • Emirates v Hatta, 5.15pm
  • Al Wahda v Al Dhafra, 5.25pm
  • Al Ain v Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, 8.15pm

Saturday:

  • Dibba v Ajman, 5.15pm
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  • Al Jazira v Al Nasr, 8.15pm
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S

Price, base / as tested: Dh409,000 / Dh467,000

Engine: 3.0-litre V6

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm

Torque: 580Nm @ 4,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 10.9L / 100km

Analysis

Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.

The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement. 

We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment. 

 

Ibrahim's play list

Completed an electrical diploma at the Adnoc Technical Institute

Works as a public relations officer with Adnoc

Apart from the piano, he plays the accordion, oud and guitar

His favourite composer is Johann Sebastian Bach

Also enjoys listening to Mozart

Likes all genres of music including Arabic music and jazz

Enjoys rock groups Scorpions and Metallica 

Other musicians he likes are Syrian-American pianist Malek Jandali and Lebanese oud player Rabih Abou Khalil

David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

About Krews

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Based: Abu Dhabi

Founded: January 2019

Number of employees: 10

Sector: Technology/Social media 

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