The reason we should do a carbon tax is because it's the right thing to do. It's economics 101, elementary stuff.

There's a fundamental difference, if you sort of look into the future, between a humanity that is a space-faring civilization, that's out there exploring the stars...compared with one where we are forever confined to Earth until some eventual extinction event.

Physics is a good framework for thinking. ... Boil things down to their fundamental truths and reason up from there.

Going from PayPal, I thought: 'Well, what are some of the other problems that are likely to most affect the future of humanity?' Not from the perspective, 'What's the best way to make money?'

The rumours of the demise of the U.S. manufacturing industry are greatly exaggerated.

Tesla Motors was created to accelerate the advent of sustainable transport. If we clear a path to the creation of compelling electric vehicles, but then lay intellectual property landmines behind us to inhibit others, we are acting in a manner contrary to that goal. Tesla will not initiate patent lawsuits against anyone who, in good faith, wants to use our technology.

If humanity doesn't land on Mars in my lifetime, I would be very disappointed.