Episode · Cheeky Pint · 2026-02-05
Books mentioned on Elon Musk on Space GPUs, AI, Optimus, and his manufacturing method
John Collison and Dwarkesh Patel sit down with Elon Musk to discuss why the future of AI isn’t on Earth, but in the "always sunny" vacuum of space.
Elon Musk discussed 2001, a Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke and others, The moon is a harsh mistress by Robert A. Heinlein, and Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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2001, a Space Odyssey
2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C.
Discussed“I think maybe the central lesson for 2001: A Space Odyssey was that you should not make AI lie. That's what I think Arthur C. Clarke was trying to say.”
Where to get it
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The moon is a harsh mistress
The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A.
Discussed“Well, actually, there is a Heinlein book. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. Okay, yeah, but that's slightly different. That's a gravity slingshot or... No, they have a mass driver on the Moon.”
Where to get it
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Stranger in a Strange Land
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A.
Discussed“I found that book much better than his other one that everyone reads, Stranger in a Strange Land. "Grok" comes from Stranger in a Strange Land. The first two-thirds of Stranger in a Strange Land are good, and then it gets very weird in the third portion.”
Where to get it
