Elon Musk traced his ambitions in technology and space exploration back to childhood curiosity during a conversation with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink at the World Economic Forum, describing science fiction as the foundation of his worldview and his long-running desire to turn imagined futures into reality.
Fink asked Musk what inspired him and whether there was a defining moment that shaped his life and career. Musk responded that his interests were formed early, long before he envisioned leading multiple global companies. As a child, he said, he read extensively, gravitating toward science fiction, fantasy novels, and comic books, alongside a general fascination with technology.
“I didn’t expect to be where I am today; it seemed incredibly implausible,” Musk said. He explained that reading about the future sparked a desire not just to imagine what might come next, but to help build it. “I was inspired by reading about the future and science fiction. I wanted to turn science fiction into science fact,” he said.
ELON MUSK: "As a kid, I read a lot of science fiction, sci fi fantasy and comic books. I always liked technology. I didn't expect to be where I am today.
— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) January 22, 2026
I was inspired by reading books about future, about science fiction and I want to make science fiction not fiction forever.… pic.twitter.com/tZAahmJwPh
The discussion then broadened from inspiration to philosophy. Musk said his core motivation is rooted in curiosity and a desire to understand fundamental questions about existence. He described his interests as spanning the meaning of life, the structure of the universe, and the limits of human knowledge.
“My central philosophy of curiosity is understanding the meaning of life, the validity of the standard model of physics, the beginning of life, the beginning of existence, and the end of the universe,” Musk said. He added that some of the most important discoveries may come from questions humanity has not yet learned to ask. “What questions do we not know to ask that we should ask?” he said, noting that artificial intelligence could play a role in helping uncover them.
ELON MUSK: "I'd like to understand the meaning of life. Is the standard model of physics correct regarding the beginning of existence & the end of the universe?
— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) January 22, 2026
What questions do we not know to ask that we should ask? AI will help us with these things." pic.twitter.com/DkEs0eTIBc
Musk also returned to themes he has raised repeatedly in recent years, including the possibility of extraterrestrial life and humanity’s place in the cosmos. He said his interest is not driven by fear or speculation, but by a basic desire to understand reality. “I want to understand how we got here, what’s real, whether there are aliens,” he said.
Looking ahead, Musk suggested that advanced space travel could one day answer those questions directly. If humans develop spacecraft capable of traveling to other star systems, he said, they may encounter alien life—or uncover evidence of civilizations that no longer exist. “We may encounter aliens or discover long-dead alien civilizations,” Musk said. “I just want to know what’s going on.”
The exchange offered a rare glimpse into the philosophical motivations behind Musk’s work, linking his early fascination with science fiction to his ongoing efforts in space exploration, artificial intelligence, and fundamental scientific inquiry.
