Todd Lemmon

UPDATE: Scott Galloway reached out to me earlier today and asked me to call him. I'm glad I did. I've read @profgalloway's books, listened to his podcasts, and appreciated his willingness to confront campus antisemitism and debate people he vigorously disagrees with, including @BenShapiro with comity (and more than a little comedy). That's why his recent comments about Elon Musk surprised and troubled me. My central criticism was that Scott called Musk a "traitor to the West" while invoking Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, who were executed for espionage. I think it was a careless statement, but I don't think Scott is calling for Musk's execution. Too many people on this platform are making that accusation, but it's an oversimplification. He told me he explicitly opposes capital punishment. I still believe the analogy was overblown. We also discussed what actually happened with Starlink and Starshield in Ukraine. What was restricted, when, by whom, and under whose authority? I agree with him that we need to know what actually happened for transparency's sake. Sunlight is the best disinfectant. Scott acknowledged that if Musk was legitimately enforcing a commercial agreement, not meddling in wartime policies as a private citizen, the accusation of treachery would be unwarranted. I hope that if that occurs, he will retract it publicly. We agree that serious accusations require serious evidence. I raised Scott's role as a UC Regent because I believe those entrusted with governing the best university on the planet deserve particular scrutiny. I never called for his removal, nor do I want him removed. Scott explained why that framing troubled him. I listened, and I understand his concerns better. Despite disagreeing with my criticism, Scott offered to defend my academic freedom and my right to criticize him. As a professor, I teach students to revise their conclusions when confronted with new evidence. Today I was reminded that professors must also reconsider their own approach, too. I stand by the substance of my criticism. But my tone should have been more collegial. Our conversation strengthened my respect for Scott's generosity and commitment to the University of California, a system that transformed both our lives. As a two-time native son of the UC system, I think Scott will play a vital role on that august board. Lastly, and most remarkably, two podcast hosts managed to have a contentious discussion and find common ground without recording another podcast about it. A first in (unrecorded) history.

Scott Galloway says he owned a Tesla, but sold it because of Elon. "Not before taking a giant dump in the passenger seat. True story." He's gone from suggesting Elon be executed to telling stories of taking dumps in a car he owned because it was made by Elon's company. This is a broken, deranged and utterly toxic individual.