Tools

Explore

Videos Channels Figures

Atmrix

Tools

Explore

Videos Channels Figures

Atmrix

EM

Elon Musk

01/10/17

@ Y Combinator

It's beneficial to create something that makes a significant difference for a small to moderate number of people, or something that makes a small difference but impacts a vast number of people.

Video

Elon Musk On How To Be Most Useful

@ Y Combinator

Elon Musk On How To Be Most Useful

01/10/17

Related Takeaways

Elon Musk

09/16/16

@ Y Combinator

If you're doing something useful for society, that's a good thing, even if it doesn't change the world. Creating something that provides value to a large number of people is important.

Elon Musk

01/10/17

@ Y Combinator

If you're doing something useful for society, it doesn't have to change the world; even small improvements that benefit many people are valuable.

Garry Tan

09/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Creating a product that a small group of users absolutely loves is more valuable than trying to please a larger audience with mediocre features.

Elon Musk

12/31/21

@ Lex Clips

If you want to make a big positive impact in the world, focus on being useful to your fellow human beings and society.

Sheryl Sandberg

06/02/17

@ Stanford Graduate School of Business

Do something you care about with people you believe in, and focus on what you can contribute. That's how you make a difference.

Elon Musk

01/10/17

@ Y Combinator

To determine how to be most useful, consider the utility delta of your idea compared to the current state and how many people it will affect.

Daniel Priestley

05/12/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Small teams of passionate individuals can leverage technology to solve meaningful problems and create significant impact.

Des Traynor

12/13/17

@ Y Combinator

I need to be aware of the difference between solving a small problem and a big problem. Small and rare problems rarely work out, even if the product is beautiful.

Sam Altman

06/18/25

@ OpenAI

The high order bit of improving people's lives is more scientific progress, and discovering much more will have a significant impact.