Joe Rogan Experience #1470 – Elon Musk

Why this one hits different

Days after his son was born and a week after telling the world he'd sell almost everything he owned, Elon Musk sat down for Joe Rogan Experience #1470 in May 2020.

What made it famous

Joe asked the question everyone had: how do you pronounce X Æ A-12, the name Musk and Grimes gave their son? Musk explained it. From there the conversation ranges across Neuralink and the idea of connecting brains to computers, the risks of artificial intelligence, his reasons for shedding his houses and possessions, and his frustration with the COVID-19 lockdowns that were in place at the time.

Who is Elon Musk?

Musk runs Tesla and SpaceX and co-founded Neuralink. This was his second full appearance on the show, following the famous #1169 in 2018.

Why it's worth your time

It captures Musk at an unusual moment: a new father, mid-pandemic, and in a reflective mood. If you want to understand his thinking about AI and brain-computer interfaces, this is one of the clearest places to start.

Quick answers

When did JRE #1470 come out?

May 7, 2020.

What did Elon Musk name his son?

X Æ A-12. Musk explains the name and its pronunciation in this episode.