Elon Musk: A person who says their political party is infallible is either a deceiver, an idiot, or both.

Tech tycoon Elon Musk made news earlier this month for claiming that electronic voting machines (EVMs) should not be used in elections due to the high likelihood of hacking.

According to Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, "A person who says their political party is infallible is either a deceiver, an idiot, or both," he is known for his controversial views. A broader complaint of modern politics is that partisanship often trumps critical thinking and free discourse. Musk's claim is that unconditional fealty to any political party is intellectually dishonest or lacks depth. As with every human institution, political parties make mistakes, he believes. Individuals forgo democratic inquiry and responsibility by calling a party infallible. Musk's comments show the pitfalls of strong partisanship, where people cover up unethical behaviour, bad policies, and factual errors because they support their party. The pursuit of allegiance over facts and social solutions stifles productive debate and progress.

Musk's statement may be a plea for intellectual humility and a reminder to remain critical beyond politics. His statements remind us that no party has all the right ideas or morals in a time of political conflict. This is especially pertinent given Musk's often-cross-political initiatives. His efforts to advance renewable energy and space exploration have drawn political support and criticism. Musk encourages a culture of innovation and advancement by calling for a more open-minded and less dogmatic approach to politics, where ideas are judged on their merits rather than their ideological roots.

Musk also values empirical evidence, scientific investigation, and challenging the status quo, which informs his critique. Continual improvement and a belief that failure and mistakes are part of invention characterize his entrepreneurial endeavours. Musk's comment argues that a healthy democracy lives on the same principles: the ability to admit and learn from mistakes, the confidence to question norms, and the resolve to continue finding better solutions. In essence, Musk wants a more dynamic and robust political system that can react to new threats and information.

According to Elon Musk, a politician who believes their party is flawless is either a deceiver, an idiot, or both. This highlights the necessity of critical thinking and intellectual honesty in politics. The goal is to look beyond party allegiance and examine political issues more critically. Musk's belief in open-mindedness and critical inquiry promotes a more robust and effective democratic system, where the ultimate goal is society's advancement and well-being.