Hey everybody. Welcome back to the Elon Musk
Podcast. This is a show where we discuss
the critical crossroads that shape SpaceX, Tesla X, The
Boring Company, and Neurolink. I'm your host Will Walden.
How do two of the most polarizing figures of the 21st
century celebrate the dawn of the new year Now for Elon Musk
and president-elect Donald Trump, the answer was a
star-studded gala at Trump's Mar A Lago resort in Palm Beach, FL.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO, known for his unpredictable public
persona, was seen in a viral video dance with his son X
perched on his shoulders near Trump.
Now, Musk's festive appearance at Mar A Lago came amid reports
that he had been residing in a $2000 a night cottage on the
former president's estate since Election Day.
Now, the property, located a short walk from the main house,
is said to have hosted numerous prominent figures in the past.
Now, the New Year's Eve party was nothing short of glamorous,
attracting a mix of celebrities, political figures and Trump's
closest confidants. Among the notable attendees were
Musk's mother May Musk, vice president-elect JD Vance and
Texas senator Ted Cruz. Nerlink executive Siobhan
Zillis, with whom Musk shares three children, also joined the
celebration, adding a personal touch to the evening for the
billionaire tech mogul. Now other attendees included
boxing promoter Don King and former Australian Prime Minister
Scott Morrison, who posted a photo on social media posing
with Trump and incoming first lady Melania Trump.
Laura Trump, the former president's daughter-in-law,
entertained the crowd with a re addition of Tom Petty's I Won't
Back Down while guests enjoyed a dazzling fireworks display ahead
of the countdown to midnight Now.
The event also doubled as a birthday celebration for Donald
Trump junior, who was accompanied by his rumoured
girlfriend Bettina Anderson. Now, as he arrived at the party,
president-elect Trump briefly addressed reporters, offering a
glimpse of his plans for his return to the White House.
Just a great year. I think we're going to be
fantastically well as a country. We're going to bring it back.
It has to be brought back, Trump said, reflecting his campaign
rhetoric about restoring America's greatness.
He also confirmed his intention to attend the funeral of former
President Jimmy Carter, who passed away last week at the age
of 100. Now, while Musk's presence at
Mar a Lago for New Year's Eve raised some eyebrows, his
extended stay on the property adds another layer of intrigue.
According to the New York Times, Musk moved into the cottage
around Election Day, sparking speculation about his
relationship with the president-elect.
The cottage, previously rented out to high profile guests for
$2000 a night, offers Musk proximity to Trump during a
period of significant political and economic shifts in the US.
Musk, who has publicly stated his views on free speech and
regulation through his Platform X, has occasionally aligned with
Trump on issues such as energy policy and criticism of the
media. However, his presence at Mar a
Lago also shows the complex dynamics between being a tech
mogul and also politics. Now, did you know that Mar a
Lago was often referred to as the Winter White House?
And it has a storied history. The estate was built in the
1920s by heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post and was later
designated a National Historic Landmark.
Trump purchased the property in 1985 and converted it into a
private club, and the venue has since hosted numerous high
profile events blending luxury politics and celebrity culture.
Now, with Trump poised to re enter the Oval Office and Musk
continuing to dominate the tech and business landscape, their
interaction at Mar a Lago could mark the beginning of a deeper
alliance or simply a fleeting moment of shared celebration.
As 2025 begins, both men face immense scrutiny and high
expectations in their respective domains.
Now, whether Musk's stay on Trump's estate is purely
coincidental or indicative of a larger partnership remains to be
seen. What's clear, however, is that
the convergence of these two powerful figures and Mar a Lago
is a fitting snapshot of an increasingly intertwined
political and cultural landscape.
Now for more insights and behind the scenes stories, join our
community at Supercast, connect with us on Discord and follow us
for updates on our website elonmuskpodcast.com and let us
know your thoughts. Is this an unlikely pairing or
the start of a new era of collaboration?
How can a Signal account change photos and safety numbers?
After someone's death, the cyber truck involved in a deadly
explosion unlocked itself remotely at the scene of.
These questions are at the heart of a growing mystery involving
Matthew Livelsberger, an active duty U.S.
Army soldier who reportedly died under suspicious circumstances
during a December 29th incident in Las Vegas.
And how did the timeline of events unfold and why are so
many details raising red flags Now Law enforcement officials,
military insiders, and digital privacy advocates have all
weighed in on this case. The key issues include a
possible timeline of signal activity changes, the mechanics
of the Tesla's truck, self driving capabilities, and the
discovery of weapons and a gunshot wound at the scene.
Now, Matthew Libelsberger, also known as Matt Berg on Signal,
was an active duty soldier stationed in Germany with the US
Army. According to military sources,
he was on personal leave in the United States at the time of his
death. On December 29th, Livolsberger
was reportedly found dead near an explosion involving a Tesla
cyber truck in Las Vegas. Law enforcement discovered
multiple items in his name at the scene, including a military
Ida Desert Eagle handgun, an SLRB 30 AR pattern rifle, an
iPhone, and a smartwatch. Livolsberger had sustained a
gunshot wound to the head, though the exact sequence of
events remains unclear now. Shortly after the explosion,
members of Libelsberger's Signal group chat observed changes to
his account. The account safety number,
profile name and photo were all updated, sparking concerns about
who had control of his account host.
Humorously, Signal, known for its end to end encryption, uses
safety numbers to verify secure communications.
A change in safety numbers typically signals a switch to a
new device or a new SIM card, leading many to question how and
why these updates occurred after Livolsberger's death.
Adding another level of complexity, reports suggest the
Tesla Cyber involved in the explosion was unlocked remotely
by law enforcement. Tesla CEO Elon Musk later stated
the trucks locking mechanisms disengaged due to the force of
the blast, but this explanation has not satisfied skeptics.
Now, the signal activity surrounding Livolsburger's
account is one of the most perplexing aspects of this case.
According to screenshots shared by a member of a signals group,
Livolsburger's safety number changed twice, once before the
explosion and again afterwards. The name associated with the
account also changed from Matt Berg to Just Matt, and a new
profile photo appeared. Forensic experts No Signal
safety number changes are not uncommon for users who switch
devices, install the app on a new phone, or use a different
SIM card. This could explain the first
change in Lowellsberger's travelled from Germany to the
United States around December 29th, as international
travellers often use local SIM cards for convenience.
However, the post explosion changes are harder to explain,
as signal changes typically require direct access to the
user's device. A military sources confirm that
Libelsberger was on leave in Colorado prior to the Las Vegas
incident. His wife reportedly lost contact
with him several days before the explosion, raising questions
about his movements and actions. That remains unclear whether
Libelsberger's was the one operating the Tesla Cyber Truck
or if he had been in capacity hesitated beforehand.
Tesla's involvement has also raised eyebrows.
The Cyber Trucks remote capabilities, including self
driving functionality and remote locking and unlocking, have
become a focal point for speculation.
Musk's statement that the truck's doors unlocked after the
explosion aligns with the vehicle's advanced safety
features, but critics argue that such systems can also be
exploited for nefarious purposes.
Tesla has not provided additional technical details
about the vehicle's role in this incident, the items recovered at
the scene, and further complexity.
The Desert Eagle, the SLRB 30, are high-powered firearms,
suggesting the Libelsberger might have been armed at the
time of the explosion. The discovery of his military ID
and personal electronics tied to the presence of a gunshot wound
in the head raises critical questions.
Was the wound self-inflicted or was it the result of play?
Forensic analysis will be crucial in determining the
sequence of events. Ballistic tests on the recovered
firearms and autopsy results could clarify whether
Libelsberger was shot before or after the explosion.
Investigators have not yet released A cause of death,
leaving open the possibility that Libelsberger may not have
been in control of the situation.
Experts in cybersecurity and automotive technology have
weighed in on the implications of this case.
Doctor Sarah Lynn, a cybersecurity researcher
specializing in encrypting messaging apps, explains Signals
encryption protocols are robust, but the system is not immune to
misuse. Now on the Tesla side, an
engineer with expertise in self driving systems said that
Tesla's remote capabilities are designed for safety, not
exploitation. However, any connected system is
vulnerable to hacking if not properly secured.
The fact that the vehicle unlocked remotely after the
explosion should be investigated further.
How signal security rotocols signals messages are readable
only by the sender and the receiver.
Changes in safety numbers are alerts meant to signal otential
account breaches or device changes.
Tesla Vehicles allowed owners to lock, unlock, and start their
cars remotely via a smartphone app.
While convenient, these features rely on secure cloud
infrastructure to keep them out of the hands of nefarious
people. Active duty soldiers traveling
international for personal leave must follow strict protocols.
Travel records and communication logs could shed light on the
Wilsburger's movements before his death.
The case is far from over, though.
Investigators must untangle a complex web of digital activity,
physical evidence and potential foul play.
Key questions include the exact cause of the explosion, the role
of the Tesla Cybertruck, and how signal security features may
have been manipulated. Forensics, digital forensics and
military cooperation will all play crucial roles.
Calls for transparency have intensified.
The family, military colleagues and Signal group members are
seeking clarity on how his Signal account was altered in
whether his death was connected to broader patterns of
suspicious activities. If you want to stay informed as
this investigation develops, you should subscribe to our
Supercast, where we explore the latest updates in real time with
live videos. We're going to talk about tech,
privacy, security, and also join the Discord community.
If you want to keep the conversation going, there's a
link in our description about that.
If you want more insights, go to elonmuskpodcast.com.
As always, everything's in the show notes or the description.
So what role is Elon Musk playing in shaping US foreign
policy under Trump's incoming administration?
And how is Musk's outspoken support for controversial
political movements abroad affecting global relations?
Could Musk's extensive business interests pose conflicts of
interest as he moves closer to the center of power in the
United States? Elon sparked global controversy
this week calling for the resignation of German Chancellor
Olaf Shoals in the aftermath of a deadly attack at a Christmas
market in Magdeburg, Germany. Now Musk's statement, made on
his Platform X, criticize goals as an incompetent fool and
question the leadership of Europe's largest economy.
The attack, which involved a car ramming into a crowd, left at
least 2 dead and dozens injured, according to German officials.
Musk's remark immediately drew both condemnation and applause,
underscoring his increasingly polarizing role now.
Adding fuel to this fire, Musk also voiced support for
Germany's far right Alternative for Germany Afd party.
Only the Afd can save Germany. Musk set on X.
The FDA nationalist party with anti immigration policies, has
surged in German opinion polls but remains shunned by
mainstream parties. Germany is set to hold elections
on February 23rd following the collapse, which calls coalition
government and Musk's endorsement miss spark heated
debate about foreign influence in domestic politics.
It declined to offer any further comment.
We reached out. We couldn't get a hold of them.
They wouldn't comment. This is not Musk's first foray
into European politics. Last year, he harshly criticized
Germany's handling of migration issues and more recently called
for the dismissal of Italian judges over rulings that
questions the legality of government measures against
irregular immigration. These instances shows that Elon
Musk has broader alignment with far right movements in Europe,
further polarizing public opinion, but his involvement in
global political affairs. Back in the United States,
Musk's proximity to president-elect Donald Trump and
his apparent influence on the incoming administration have
alarmed everybody on the left. Since November, Musk has been a
regular fixture at Trump's Mar A Lago estate, attending meetings
with foreign leaders and playing a prominent role in
international discussions. Notably, Musk accompanied Trump
on his first post election foreign trip to Paris, where he
met President Emmanuel Macron during the ceremonial reopening
of Notre Dame. He has also praised Italy's
Prime Minister Georgia Malani, calling her a precious genius in
public remarks at a black tie event in New York.
Now, perhaps most concerning to critics was Musk's participation
in Trump's initial call with Ukrainian President Oladimir
Zelensky after the election. Now, such instances have raised
question to most Musk's potential to shape US foreign
policy, given his extensive global business interest,
particularly in China. The Tesla, Musk's electric
vehicle company, as we all know, operates a massive Gigafactory
in Shanghai and relies heavily on the Chinese market, which
accounts for a substantial portion of its production and
sales. Musk's ties to Chinese President
Xi Jinping, with whom he reportedly dined during XI's
2023 US visit, have deepened suspicions of potential
conflicts of interest. Concerns are particularly
heightened by Musk's $15 billion in federal contracts, including
with NASA and the Pentagon, which depend on SpaceX for
rocket launches and Starling satellite services critical to
U.S. military operations. The Pentagon is reportedly
investigating whether Musk has adhered to disclosure
requirements related to his top secret security clearance, which
mandates reporting meetings with foreign officials.
Musk's defenders, though, however, argue that his close
ties to Trump represent a bold opportunity to streamline
government and improve efficiency.
Brian Hughes, a spokesman for Trump's transition team,
dismissed concerns over Musk's potential conflicts of interest,
describing him as a What's in a Generation Business leader whose
ideas could benefit federal bureaucracy.
Now, Musk's prospective role in recommending major cuts to
government jobs has further fueled debate, with critics
warning of the ethical risks tied to his dual role as a
businessman and informal policy maker.
Now on Capitol Hill, skepticism is mounting.
Outgoing Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben
Cardin criticized Musk's involvement, stating his
association with the president-elect has already
profited him. A question whether Musk's
private dealings in China and everywhere else could compromise
his objectivity in advising Trump on foreign policy.
They said I don't want a transactional person who's going
into a country to see if he can make a deal.
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, speaking cautiously on
the matter, emphasized the importance of maintaining a
smooth transition to power, though did not directly address
Musk's role, but acknowledged it that communications between the
outgoing and incoming administrations are essential
for ensuring stability. But Musk's presence in these
high level interactions, coupled with his outspoken support for
some far righter movements, sparked unease among both
domestic and international observers.
Now in the UK, Musk similarly made waves by criticizing Prime
Minister Kier Starman, labeling Britain a tyrannical police
state and endorsing calls for a new election.
His comments came amid escalating tensions in the
country following days of far right violence.
Musk further stoked controversy by promoting a video from a
jailed far right activist and predicting that the country was
on the brink of civil war. Musk's global reach, bolstered
by his vast wealth and high profile business ventures, has
allowed him to amplify his political opinions in ways that
few private citizens have ever done.
This influence was on full display in the United States
earlier this month when Musk played a key role in derailing a
funding bill. Some Republicans, impressed by
Musk's political maneuvering, have even suggested he should be
made speaker of the House. However, critics worry that Musk
is assuming an unofficial role akin to a shadow president,
raising thorny questions about the concentration of power and
integrity of democratic governance.
But despite the controversy, Musk shows no signs of
retreating from his political advocacy.
On Friday, Nigel Farage, the leader of Britain's right wing
Reform UK party, revealed that he had met with Musk at Trump's
Florida residents to discuss financial support for the party.
The post, which included a photo of himself with Musk, fueled
speculation about the billionaire's intentions to fund
far right movements worldwide. But Musk influence will continue
to grow. His actions continued to blur
the lines between business and politics, and his detractors
argue that his dual role as a global entrepreneur and
political advisor presents unprecedented ethical
challenges, while supporters hail him as a disruptor capable
of bringing fresh perspectives to governance.
Whether Musk's moves will yield positive change or further
Discord remains to be seen, but the scrutiny surrounding his
every move weights on his growing impact on the global
stage. Speaking of Discord, I want to
say thank you for everybody who's joined the Discord server
so far. There's a link to our Discord in
the show notes. Please take a look at that.
Come join the conversation. Talk about Elon Musk, Tesla,
SpaceX, Boring Company, Neuralink.
Check out our Discord down below and join the fun.
Tesla could potentially be launching the robo taxi service
in Austin, TX. Now, what's fascinating is
they've always actually been in talks with city officials since
May, and it makes you wonder what they're cooking up behind
the scenes, doesn't it? Well, Tesla initiated
preliminary discussions with Austin, TX officials regarding
its autonomous vehicle technology program, marking a
potential milestone in the company's ambitious robotaxi
development plans. Now, Tesla's representatives
have engaged with the city's Autonomous Vehicle Task Force to
establish safety protocols and operational parameters for their
future self driving fleet. Now, these discussions with
began way back in May demonstrate Tesla's strategic
approach to implementing autonomous driving before
anybody else actually knew about it.
And the automotive innovator unveiled its Cyber Cab prototype
during a highly anticipated Robotaxi event in October,
showcasing a vehicle designed without traditional driver
controls such as pedals or steering wheels.
Now, Elon Musk announced intentions to introduce an
unsupervised version of the company's driver assistance
technology in both California and Texas by 2025.
And this timeline positions Tesla to compete directly with
established autonomous vehicle operators like Waymo, which
currently operates robotaxi services in multiple states.
And Tesla current Full Self Driving or SFDFSD package,
despite its name, requires constant driver supervision and
attention. The system utilizes a cabin
facing camera to monitor driver engagement, distinguishing it
from the company's Envision Robotaxi service, which aims to
operate without any human intervention.
This is a leap forward. It represents a substantial
advancement from Tesla's existing semi autonomous
capabilities and the selection of Austin as a potential launch
city lines. With Tesla's existing
infrastructure investments in Texas, company relocated its
headquarters from Palo Alto, CA to Texas in 2022 and operates
its massive Gigafactory Texas facility just outside of Austin
city limits. These established operations
provide Tesla with logistical advantages and local
relationships that could facilitate the implementation of
the robotaxi program. Now, Tesla's engagement with
Austin authorities includes conducting training sessions for
first responders, familiarizing emergency personnel with
autonomous vehicle operations and safety protocols.
This proactive approach mirrors strategies employed by other
autonomous vehicle companies and demonstrates Tesla's commitment
to addressing public safety concerns associated with
driverless technology. Now, the regulatory landscape in
Texas presents unique advantages for Tesla's autonomous vehicle.
Now, the state maintains minimal restrictions on autonomous
vehicle testing and explicitly prohibits cities from
implementing additional regulations and driverless
vehicles. The regulatory environment could
accelerate Tesla's development and deployment timeline compared
to states with more stringent oversight requirements like New
York, California, and even cities like San Francisco.
And Tesla has already been testing its ride handling
technology in the Bay Area of San Francisco, utilizing an
internal application and vehicles equipped with safety
drivers. This pilot program provides
valuable operational data and real world experience as the
company develop its fully autonomous system.
Testing phase represents a crucial step in validating
Tesla's technology before deploying it in a commercial
service. Now.
The company's stock failure responded positively to these
developments, with shares rising approximately 3 whole percent in
pre market trading. Investor confidence appears
bolstered by speculating about Elon Musk's potential influence
over the Trump administration too, regarding regulatory
approvals for autonomous vehicle technology.
Now, unlike competitors such as Waymo, Tesla plans to operate
its robot taxi fleet without Geo fencing restrictions that limit
vehicles to specific areas. However, industry analysts
suggest the company might implement Tele operation
capabilities during the initial deployment phase to maintain
oversight over the new robotaxis.
Now, the development of Tesla's autonomous technology coincides
with increasing competition in the robotaxi sector.
Waymo currently operates autonomous ride hailing services
across multiple jurisdictions, establishing operational
precedence and safety standards for the industry, and Tesla's
entry into this market segment represents a strategic expansion
beyond its traditional electric vehicle business.
Implementation of a robotaxi service requires extensive
coordination with the local authorities regarding safety
protocols, emergency response procedures, and operational
guidelines. Tesla's discussions with Austin
officials encompass these critical aspects of autonomous
vehicle deployment, though specific details about fleet
size and operational parameters remained under negotiation.
Now, the company's approach to autonomous vehicle development
differs significantly from traditional automakers and
technology companies. Tesla's strategy relies heavily
on real world data collected from its customer vehicle fleet,
which informs the development of its self driving software
through machine learning. Now, technical challenges remain
in achieving fully autonomous operation without human
supervision. Tesla must demonstrate the
reliability and safety of its system across various weather
conditions, traffic scenarios, and urban environments before
receiving regulatory approval for commercial robotaxi
operations. The economic implications of
successful robotaxi deployment could transform urban
transportation systems. Autonomous ride hailing services
promised reduced operation costs, increased vehicle
utilization, and improved accessibility for transportation
disadvantaged populations. Now, these potential benefits
drive Tesla's pursuit of autonomous technology
commercialization. Now, public acceptance
represents another crucial factor in the successful
implementation of robo taxi services.
Tesla's engagement with local authorities and 1st responders
helps build Community Trust and understanding of autonomous
vehicle capabilities and limitations.
The educational component supports the broader adaptation
of driverless technology. Now.
The timeline for commercial robotaxi deployment depends on
multiple factors, though, including technological
readiness, regulatory approval, and market conditions.
And while Tesla targets a 2025 launch date, industry experts
caution the government approval processes could extend this
timeline significantly. Safety verification and
validation procedures for autonomous vehicles involve
extensive testing across diverse operational conditions, and
Tesla's current pilot program in the Bay Area generates valuable
data for improving system performance and demonstrating
safety compliance to regulatory authorities.
Now these preliminary discussions with Austin
officials regarding their robotaxis and the deployment of
them is an important first step towards implementing commercial
robotaxi services in States and countries all over the world
through significant technical, regulatory and operational
challenges. TEST is going to beat them all
and they're going to move forward with their robotaxi
program. Now, I want to give you a second
here and let you think about this.
Would you hail a taxi with no driver?
If you've been to a theme park, especially a big theme park,
they have autonomous driving technology in the theme park and
they're all programmed something like Disney and they're all
programmed for the roads and the pathways that are in that park.
Now, would you trust a robo taxi in your area, in your town, in
your city, driving around your schools, driving around where
the kids play, driving around where old people are stationed?
You know, like maybe there's a assisted living facility nearby
and old people kind of wander into the road sometimes.
Would you be willing to, to, to do that?
Or do you think people are more dangerous than robots when it
comes to driving? Let me know the comments.
If you're on Spotify, leave me a comment below.
And if you're on YouTube, please leave a comment.
Also, if you like the show, please give it a five star
review on whatever podcast platform you're on right now.
I really appreciate your support.
Now before we go, I want to let you know about our new cool Doge
pack. Now this is our Discord server
where you get behind the scenes and daily and minutely I guess
would be a good way to say it, news whenever we get it and we
can talk about Elon Musk, SpaceX X Tesla, anything Elon Musk is
doing and you're in the community of like minded people.
So please take a second. There's a link down below for
Discord for our Doge pack. So if Elon Musk's X Mail
actually launches, what happens to all those Gmail users who
might get targeted by AI scams now?
Musk's statement about this being on the list really got me
thinking about this. Elon Musk confirmed plans for a
new e-mail service called xmail through a December 15th
statement on X in his response to a user suggesting an e-mail
service to rival Gmail. Simply stated, yeah on the list
of things to do. This marks his second public
acknowledgement of e-mail service development plans in
2024. Now, the announcement arrives at
a time when Gmail serves approximately 2.5 billion active
users worldwide, representing 1/3 of the global population.
Now, X maintains an estimated user base of about 600 million
people, according to current analysis of platform metrics and
public reporting data. Now, these numbers established
the context for understanding the potential reach and impact
of a new e-mail service under Elon Musk's leadership and
security. Researchers expressed particular
concern about increasing sophistication of artificial
intelligence powered phishing attacks.
The accessibility and decreasing cost of AI tools enable cyber
criminals to create more convincing fraudulent messages
targeting users through multiple communication channels.
The evolution in attack methodology poses new challenges
for e-mail security systems and user awareness programs.
And stats from recent cybersecurity reports indicate a
marked increase in multi channel phishing campaigns where
attackers initiate contact through e-mail before moving
conversations to other platforms.
And these attacks often leverage text messages, phone calls, or
messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram to manipulate victims
more effectively than traditional single channel
approaches. Now security experts note that
this complexity makes attacks harder to detect and prevent.
Now, the current speculation about X mail creates
opportunities for cyber criminals to exploit public
interest through various scam techniques.
Security professionals anticipate potential schemes
involving fake early access invitations, fraudulent data
mitigation tools, and deceptive account verification requests.
These tactics typically aim to capture Gmail login credentials
or financial information from users eager to participate in
new platform launches. Now, multiple e-mail platforms
already operate under similar names, complicating the
trademark and branding landscape for potential X mail service.
Basic research revealed to me that several existing e-mail
providers using variations of the X Mail name, suggesting
potential legal and branding battles for X Corp in launching
their service situation adds another layer of complexity to
this process. And the relationship between
e-mail security and user privacy features prominently in
discussions about potential X Mail functionality.
X's current platform includes encryption features for both
messages between verified users who meet specific criteria, such
as following each other or accepting message requests.
These existing security measures provide insights into possible
approaches for X Mail e-mail service protection in the
future. Now, X Mail might adopt A
subscription based model similar to X's premium services, though
potentially offering an ad free experience to paying users.
The approach could address privacy concerns associated with
targeted advertising practices common in free e-mail platforms,
and the business model choice carries implications for both
user privacy and service sustainability.
But current X platform messaging features hint, if possible, X
mail interface designs. Musk's response to user
suggestions indicates plans for plain text DM inbox without
complex threading or formatting. It's a simplified approach that
contrasts with Gmail's feature risk environment, suggesting a
focus on basic communication instead of an all together
platform. And the elevation of phishing
attacks comes back into play. It requires users to maintain
increased vigilance against social engineering attempts.
Security experts emphasize the importance of verifying service
announcements through official channels, not just an e-mail
that you get, and avoiding unsolicited requests for account
information. Never yet of anybody your
username or e-mail for anything ever.
And these basic security practices become particularly
relevant during periods of speculation about new platform
launches. So watch out in your inbox for
things like X mail invites because they don't exist quite
yet. Now, the effectiveness of multi
channel phishing campaigns is huge in comprising user
accounts. Attackers often begin with
legitimate looking emails before directing victims to secondary
communication channels, increasing the complexity of
detecting these. So they could go from X mail
over to the Twitter platform, or from X mail to another platform,
WhatsApp or any other platform, texting anything, and then send
you a file where they can possibly get all of your
credentials. Or they could set up a
fraudulent login page very easily.
You could do that in about an hour all together with code.
I've been a software engineer my whole life.
I know how easy it is to make these things.
You set that up, you could get a, a spoof domain for X mail in
some way and you could hide it from the user and have them log
in with their current Google credentials, their Gmail
credentials, And then you know, you have their e-mail and
password and a username and that's it.
You can't, you can't go back after they have access to all
your records and the integration of AI in phishing attacks.
Now it will begin a new era of fraudulent messages coming
through. Criminal organizations now
access tools capable of generating convincing content at
scale. It's not just a single e-mail at
once. You can send out thousands of
emails at the same time. This technological advancement
requires updates to security awareness, training, and
detection systems. Right now, a technical
specifications for e-mail platform security continue
evolving to address emerging threats.
Modern e-mail services implement various protection measures,
including encryption to factor authentication and suspicious
activity detection. Now, these security features
represent minimum requirements for any new e-mail platform
entering the market, including Elon Musk's X Mail, And the
development of new e-mail services requires careful
consideration of existing security standards and
protocols. Industry requirements for e-mail
authentication, spam prevention, and data protection influence
platform design and implementation decisions.
The technical considerations affect both development
timelines and service capabilities.
Developing an e-mail app that could handle 600 million users
would be ridiculous. You'd have to have a very
talented team and also a lot of time on your hands to, to build
this thing out. From my experience, I've, I've
done enterprise development before and one, you need a very
technical team to build this out.
And also you need a lot of time. You know, you can rush things,
you can do sprints as much as you want, but at the end of the
day, it's just going to take a lot of time to build this.
So if you get any sort of things in your e-mail about X mail, do
not open them. Do not even look at them.
They're not even a thing yet. We have to educate each other
because we're all fans of Elon here, or at least we are.
We we want to hear what's going on with Elon.
You might not be a fan of the guy, but there could be an X
mail invitation waiting in your inbox.
So educate each other, educate ourselves, and don't be scammed,
please. The announcement of X Mail
development plans from Elon introduces both opportunities
and security risks for everybody.
We have to pay careful attention to our own user protection while
cybercriminals exploit public interest through increasingly
sophisticated AI attacks on anybody that's interested in
this new platform. SpaceX is preparing for the 7th
flight test of its Starship vehicle, officially designated
as Starship Flight Test 7, scheduled to launch no earlier
than January 10th, 2025 at 4:00 PM CDT from Starbase, Texas.
Now the mission will aim to test critical upgrades while
continuing to refine Starship's recovery and reuse systems.
Now this flight will also feature the use of Block 2
hardware, which is a significant step that the Starship has
developed over the course of many years.
Now the upcoming mission will employ booster 14B14 and ship 33
or S33 marking in the first flight of a Block 2 Starship.
This test will follow a sub orbital flight profile similar
to earlier tests with Booster 14 attempting a return to launch
site catch by the launch towers, chopstick arms and Ship 33
expected to perform a soft splashdown in the Indian Ocean
now. If successful, this will be the
second catch of a Super Heavy booster following progress made
during earlier tests and The timeline for the mission was
confirmed through an advisory released on December 27th of
2024, with a backup launch window extending until about
January 15th, 2025, and Elon Musk reaffirmed the primary date
via social media on December 30th.
Here's some facts for you. November 6th, 2024, SpaceX
confirmed the use of a Block 2 Starship in this test.
Enhancements include redesigned forward flaps, larger propellant
tanks, and advanced thermal protection systems.
November 19th, 2024 Elon Musk announced plans for an final
ocean splashdown test after Flight 6.
Based on results, future tests may attempt ship recovery via
the launch tower. November 25th, 2024 NASA
documentation filed with the FAA suggested a targeted launch
window beginning January 11th, 2025, which has been shifted to
January 10th and December 3rd of 2024.
The FCC approved communication systems for the mission.
To supporting operations from December 14th, 2024 all the way
through June 14th of 2025. December 27th, 2024, The
advisory for Flight 7 confirmed the primary launch date of
January 10th, 2025, with possible alternative launch
times later on in the week. December 30th, 2024 Elon Musk
confirmed the net no earlier than launch date via X Now.
This mission will test a suite of critical upgrades to the
Starship system. Key improvements include Ship 33
will debut redesigned forward flaps to improve heat shield
durability and re entry performance.
A larger propellant capacity and advanced heat shield materials
aim to enhance thermal protection.
Engineers will evaluate modular heat shield tiles and metallic
alternatives with active cooling features to address previous
vulnerabilities. Now a secondary thermal
protection layer will be tested as a backup mechanism.
Booster 14 and Ship 33 feature increased propellant capacity,
vacuum insulated feed lines and upgraded Raptor engine systems
in space. Relight demonstrations similar
to those conducted during Flight 6 are also planned.
There's new systems that provide increased redundance and real
time telemetry capabilities for this flight.
The avionics redesign also includes 30 plus cameras and
smart batteries capable of managing 2.7 megawatts of power.
Now this is interesting. The mission will release 10
Starlink simulators into a suborbital trajectory.
The Death Starships payload deployment capabilities.
That's what I'm most excited about.
The FAA emphasized that the mission will proceed only if all
safety, environmental, and technical requirements are met.
In its statement, the agency highlighted that they said the
FAA continues to increase efficiencies in licensing
activities to meet the needs of the commercial space
transportation industry while ensuring public safety.
Elon Musk and SpaceX have reiterated their commitment to
public safety as well, with the boosters return requiring strict
health checks along the way before the catch attempt.
Now, if conditions are not favorable or not met, the
booster will divert to a controlled landing and a
splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.
Sonic booms, also generated during the boosters and descent,
are expected to have minimal impact on surrounding areas.
Now, did you know that reusable spacecraft have a long history,
beginning with NASA's SpaceX Shuttle program 1981 to 2011?
While partially reusable, the shuttle required extensive
refurbishment between flights, limiting its cost effectiveness.
Also, Spacex's Falcon 9 advanced the concept by enabling the
first stage to land and be reused with minimal
refurbishment. Now, since 2015, Falcon 9 has
completed over 250 launches with more than 200 successful
landings. Starship aims to surpass these
milestones by achieving complete and full reusability for both
the booster and the upper stage, making it the most advanced
reusable spacecraft system ever designed.
Now, following Flight 7, SpaceX will aim for further refinements
during Flight Test 8, including a potential first attempt to
catch the Starship upper stage with the launch tower, and the
data collected from these missions will inform plans for
orbital crew flights and lunar landings under NASA's Artemis
program. Competition in the reusable
rocket sector is intensifying, too.
Blue Origins New Glen in China's Long March 8th are being
designed with reusability in mind, though both lag behind
Starship and testing and operational capabilities and
readiness. The 7th flight test of Starship
marks another important step toward achieving a fully
reusable space transportation system.
By integrating hardware upgrades and addressing challenges from
prior tests, this mission will play a key role in shaping the
future of Spacex's Starship and Boca Chica star base Texas.
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