Analyse
The phrase “When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor.” is a verified Elon Musk quote, appearing in several interviews and presentations. However, the earliest public record of him saying it is from a 2012 interview with the World Economic Forum, and the only TED appearance where he repeats a similar sentiment is a 2017 TED Talk focused on his companies, not a 2013 event specifically about SpaceX and Tesla. Therefore the claim about the 2013 TED Talk is inaccurate.
Achtergrond
Elon Musk frequently discusses the philosophy of pursuing high‑risk, high‑reward projects in talks and interviews. The quote has been widely circulated and sometimes mis‑attributed to specific events. Musk’s TED appearances occurred in 2017 (and later), not in 2013, and the 2017 talk covers SpaceX, Tesla, SolarCity, and the Boring Company.
Samenvatting verdict
Elon Musk did say the quoted line, but it was not delivered in a 2013 TED Talk about SpaceX and Tesla.