Whether you see Musk’s comments as insightful or incendiary, they reflect the mindset of a man not only shaping industries—but trying to shape the future of humanity itself.
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and an outspoken advocate for increased global birth rates, has resurfaced in headlines after an old interview clip reignited discussion around his views on sex and reproduction.
In the clip, Musk argues that sex without the intention of procreation is “absurd,” adding to his long-running campaign against what he sees as a looming population collapse.
In it, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO muses on society’s obsession with sex devoid of reproductive intent.
“A massive amount of thinking, like truly stupendous amount of thinking, has gone into sex — without purpose, without procreation — which is actually quite a silly action in the absence of procreation,” Musk said.
“It’s a bit silly, so why are you doing it? Because it makes the limbic system happy — that’s why. But it’s pretty absurd really.
A lot of computation has gone into, ‘how can I do more of that,’ with the procreation not even being a factor.”
Musk’s remarks have sparked a wide range of reactions online, from mockery to praise.
On Fridman’s YouTube channel, one viewer quipped, “Elon was inferring that jer*ing off is silly hahah,” while another joked, “This is Elon Musk talking dirty.”
A third added humorously, “If solving mathematical problems rendered a climax like that of a sexual orgasm, I’m pretty sure the human species would have a lot more mathematicians!”
A Long-Standing Concern Over Birth Rates
Musk’s remarks are consistent with his frequently repeated concern that declining birth rates pose a greater existential threat to humanity than climate change. In 2022, he tweeted:
“Population collapse due to low birth rates is a much bigger risk to civilization than global warming. Mark these words. (And I do think global warming is a major risk.)”
He has backed up these views with personal action. Musk has 13 known children, and a 14th is reportedly the subject of an ongoing paternity dispute involving conservative commentator Ashley St. Clair.
Private Messages Reveal Procreation Strategy
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, St. Clair shared private messages allegedly exchanged with Musk during her pregnancy. One message reportedly read:
“To reach legion-level before the apocalypse, we will need to use surrogates.”
She also claimed Musk offered her $15 million and $100,000 per month in child support in exchange for her silence about their child’s birth—an offer she says she declined.
The two are currently embroiled in a legal dispute. Musk has been unambiguous about his broader mission. In 2023, the same year he met St. Clair, he posted:
“Population collapse is an existential problem for humanity, not overpopulation!”
A Controversial Philosophy
While Musk’s views may strike some as extreme or unorthodox, they are consistent with his belief in the long-term survival of the human species—both on Earth and potentially beyond it.
His advocacy for large families and concern over demographic decline sets him apart in an era where environmental concerns often focus on overpopulation rather than underpopulation.