The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-first Century's Greatest Dilemma

Last month, I reviewed a book called AI Snake Oil, published in September 2024, which discusses the hype surrounding AI and argues that the distrust and fear expressed by several prominent figures and scientists are unwarranted. This book, The Coming Wave, was written a year earlier, in September 2023. After exploring both sides of the argument’one dismissing AI as unlikely to become all-consuming, more intelligent, or more capable than humans, and the other outlining various use cases where things could spiral out of control’I find both perspectives valid. It was also fun reading it in reverse order.

© 2026 Sindhuja Cheema Enzinger. All Rights Reserved.

Elon Musk

I listened to the audio version of this book.
I wanted to understand how a libertarian, environmental champion, and technology visionary became an eccentric, detached dictator with no sense of reality.

I find the book sad’not because of Elon’s tough childhood. I believe you can’t keep blaming your actions on past experiences. Yes, there’s baggage, but at some point, you are responsible for your present-day decisions.

What makes it truly sad is the inconsistency. When he succeeds, it’s glorified as something he achieved in spite of his past. When he fails or behaves badly, it’s excused because of his past. His success is celebrated, and his failures are framed as necessary steps toward that success.

© 2026 Sindhuja Cheema Enzinger. All Rights Reserved.