Sauron in the Boardroom
The Thin Line Between Leadership and Domination
Over the past few months, like many others, I’ve found myself reflecting on Elon Musk—a figure who continues to dominate headlines and spark debates. Personally, I’ve never been a member of his fan club. In fact, I’ve often found myself at odds with the notion of Musk as a “genius,” despite acknowledging his determination and ability to execute ambitious projects.
My scepticism arises from several concerns. Musk’s companies, such as Tesla and SpaceX, have undeniably benefited from the efforts of brilliant individuals yet the narrative often places sole credit at him and him alone. Moreover, these companies have enjoyed significant public funding; a Los Angeles Times article from 2015 estimated that his ventures had received around $4.9 billion in government subsidies. Musk’s brilliance, it seems, is boosted by taxpayers’ dollars—a fact worth noting when assessing his achievements.
My criticism has also been directed at Musk’s leadership style and workplace culture. A 2023 Verge article shed light on Tesla’s demanding work culture, painting a picture of a workplace that tests the limits of its employees. It’s an eye-opening read.
Musk’s approach to gender dynamics, both in his personal life and professional sphere has further fuelled controversy. Allegations of sexual harassment at Tesla’s Fremont factory surfaced in 2021, with lawsuits describing a workplace that many compared to a “frat house.” At SpaceX, reports of inappropriate behaviour have emerged, including one incident where Musk allegedly asked a female employee to "have his babies." This, alongside statements that only "high-status males" are capable of free thought and sound decision-making—while dismissing women and so-called "low T men"—shows a worrying picture of Musk’s views on gender and status. To label such remarks as sexist would be stating the obvious.
I am not going to touch the subject “Twitter” —now rebranded as “X.” A lot of things have been written and I do not have anything new to add. I left the platform shortly after it was sold, and I never looked back. If you are still using it, I urge you to take a few minutes and think: What interests, values and worldviews you are supporting with your engagement there?
Why do I share all this? Musk is not the first—nor will he be the last—powerful figure to display erratic behaviour, adopt questionable business practices, or advocate divisive and right-wing ideologies. He certainly won’t be the last man to attack feminist voices because they challenge gender hierarchies.
What sets Musk apart is his ability to combine these traits an with an undeniable influence on technology and an extraordinary command of global attention. He represents a unique paradox: a visionary reshaping our future while also embodying forces that often polarise and disrupt.
In some ways, Musk mirrors a complex archetype—similar to Tolkien's Sauron in the Second Age—capable of appearing as a charismatic powerful reformer and not wholly evil. Sauron’s early ambitions to rebuild and innovate, though appealing, ultimately reveal the dangers of unchecked ambition and the ethical dilemmas in innovation and domination.
In the following passage from The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, the author discusses the moral and philosophical issues surrounding power, knowledge, and technology, and invites us to consider: When does the quest for mastery become dangerous, and who holds the reins of that power?
...at the beginning of the Second Age [Sauron] was still beautiful to look at, or could still assume a beautiful visible shape – and was not indeed wholly evil, not unless all ‘reformers’ who want to hurry up with ‘reconstruction’ and ‘reorganization’ are wholly evil, even before pride and the lust to exert their will eat them up. The particular branch of the High-Elves concerned, the Noldor or Loremasters, were always on the side of ‘science and technology’, as we should call it: they wanted to have the knowledge that Sauron genuinely had, and those of Eregion refused the warnings of Gilgalad and Elrond. The particular ‘desire’ of the Eregion Elves – an ‘allegory’ if you like of a love of machinery, and technical devices – is also symbolised by their special friendship with the Dwarves of Moria. I should regard them as no more wicked or foolish (but in much the same peril) as Catholics engaged in certain kinds of physical research (e.g. those producing, if only as by-products, poisonous gases and explosives): things not necessarily evil, but which, things being as they are, and the nature and motives of the economic masters who provide all the means for their work being as they are, are pretty certain to serve evil ends. __J.R.R. Tolkien
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Sources:
Tesla’s ‘ultra hardcore’ work culture — as told by its employees https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/16/23833447/tesla-elon-musk-ultra-hardcore-employees-land-of-the-giants
Tesla sexual harassment lawsuits multiply as 6 more women sue Musk-led firm - Ars Technica
Elon Musk Reportedly Asked a SpaceX Employee, on Multiple Occasions, to “Have His Babies” | Vanity Fair
Elon Musk Shares Theory That Only 'Alpha Males' Should Vote - Newsweek
Elon Musk’s growing empire is fueled by $4.9 billion in government subsidies https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hy-musk-subsidies-20150531-story.html
Elon Musk and the phoney far-right narrative of ‘protecting’ women https://theconversation.com/elon-musk-and-the-phoney-far-right-narrative-of-protecting-women-247267