From: lexfridman
Kimball Musk, an entrepreneur and chef, recalls his childhood experiences growing up in South Africa during a tumultuous time. His upbringing in the country provides profound insights into the sociopolitical environment and how it shaped his worldview.
## Growing Up During Apartheid
Kimball Musk spent his formative years in South Africa during the fall of apartheid, particularly throughout the 1980s. He describes it as a "violent place" and recalls that many of his formative moments were intertwined with the social and political upheaval of the era <a class="yt-timestamp" data-t="01:01:01">[01:01:01]</a>. Musk notes that the anti-apartheid protests were a significant part of his social life, where people from different racial backgrounds would come together to protest against the regime <a class="yt-timestamp" data-t="01:01:27">[01:01:27]</a>.
## The Culture of Violence
Musk recounts witnessing extreme violence, including an incident on a train where he saw a man being stabbed. This event profoundly impacted him and highlighted the casual disregard for human life during that period <a class="yt-timestamp" data-t="01:01:43">[01:01:43]</a>. He explains that in South Africa, there was a pervasive philosophy that human life was disposable, a notion that was so engrained that violence of a mass scale became easier to perpetrate <a class="yt-timestamp" data-t="01:03:56">[01:03:56]</a>.
## A Perspective of Hope and Resilience
Despite the violence and struggles, Musk reflects on feelings of joy and celebration among communities, particularly during communal gatherings <a class="yt-timestamp" data-t="01:05:06">[01:05:06]</a>. He emphasizes that coming to terms with mortality can lead to a more profound appreciation for life and the moments spent in happiness and peace <a class="yt-timestamp" data-t="01:06:06">[01:06:06]</a>.
## Reflections on Family
Kimball also shares personal stories related to his family. He recalls an instance where he witnessed his brother [[elon_musks_and_other_innovators_work_and_influence | Elon Musk]] being brutally beaten in an incident characterized by extreme cruelty, reflecting the low value placed on human life at the time <a class="yt-timestamp" data-t="01:06:13">[01:06:13]</a>. These experiences contributed to shaping Kimball's views on the value of life and the importance of community.
## Social Commentary
Musk shares a thoughtful critique on how different countries value human life. He argues that while many criticize America, they often lack the perspective of living in other countries where the value of life may differ significantly <a class="yt-timestamp" data-t="01:09:52">[01:09:52]</a>. He believes personal experiences in different sociopolitical climates can offer valuable perspective, leading to a greater appreciation of the freedoms and safeguards present in the United States, despite its issues <a class="yt-timestamp" data-t="01:09:33">[01:09:33]</a>.
> [!info] Personal Connection
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> These experiences provided Kimball Musk with a deep understanding of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing it. His reflections point towards a broader human connection and stress the importance of community and celebration of life.
For more insights into Kimball Musk's life, check out his conversations about [[personal_experiences_in_difficult_sociopolitical_climates | personal experiences in difficult sociopolitical climates]].