He added that Musk’s supporters are clinging to a myth that serves more to reinforce their own identities than to reflect reality. “If you assign intelligence to just spending money, you’re in a cult,” he proclaimed. “If you attach intelligence to simply owning a successful company whose work on a day-to-day basis you have nothing to do with and who you are considerably more of a hindrance to than a help to, you’re in a cult.”
IQ and the Legal Value of Narrative. Perhaps anticipating backlash, Abramson clarified that he does not view IQ as an especially valuable measure of intelligence in a broader sense, but noted that the term had been weaponized by Musk’s fans to paint him as a genius.
“Though none of you have any proof whatsoever of any IQ test the man’s ever taken,” he noted, implying that the entire mythos rests on shaky assumptions and internet hearsay. This brings to light how neurological assessments, prenatal cognitive development, and even child intelligence evaluations can be manipulated for social gain.
Industry Reactions and the Battle for Truth. The reaction to Abramson’s post has been swift and explosive. Critics accused him of jealousy, ideological bias, and professional pettiness. Others lauded him for having the courage to break from a cultural norm that elevates billionaires to the status of demi-gods.
Tech industry insiders and analysts have begun weighing in, with some acknowledging that while Musk’s marketing and financial instincts are unmatched, his technical competence is often overstated or misunderstood. The illusion of a lone genius, they argue, is far more palatable to the public than the reality of team-based innovation and venture capitalism. Such insights often inform corporate management training, startup valuation models, and shareholder liability protections.
Musk has yet to respond directly to the accusations, though his recent posts on X suggest he remains focused on AI, space travel, and his usual blend of political trolling and meme-sharing.
