What did Elon Musk do with his popularity and how did he approach his work?

Elon Musk viewed his popularity and praise as expendable, willing to sacrifice it for what he believed would make the world better. Despite knowing his actions would affect his public image, he prioritized his mission over personal acclaim. This selflessness is evident in his approach to electric vehicle patents - rather than monopolizing the technology, he chose to give it away freely to competitors, encouraging wider adoption. As one commentator noted, "He said, here, take it. You make one, too" - demonstrating Musk's commitment to advancing innovation over personal profit.