Jared Isaacman, the billionaire entrepreneur, was officially confirmed by the Senate as NASA’s new administrator on Wednesday, concluding a dramatic chapter that began over a year ago.
Initially nominated by then-President-elect Donald Trump in December 2024, Isaacman saw his nomination retracted just five months later following a comprehensive review of prior relations.
In an unexpected turn, President Trump renominated Isaacman in November, asserting that his enthusiasm and experience in the field of space make him “ideally suited to lead NASA into a new visionary era.”
This leadership transition occurs at a critical juncture for NASA, with ongoing concerns regarding the agency’s future funding and mission priorities. Similar to other governmental entities, NASA is recovering from significant budget cuts and workforce reductions implemented during the Trump administration.
The final vote for approval was 67-30.
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee endorsed Isaacman’s nomination following a Dec. 3 hearing where he emphasized the urgency of returning NASA astronauts to the moon ahead of China.
Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas and committee chair, expressed hopes for Isaacman’s approval by year-end.
Isaacman, 42, is the founder and CEO of Shift4, a payment processing company, though he has not previously worked with NASA or in government. He will succeed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who has been acting as NASA’s administrator since July.
During the Senate committee hearing, Isaacman articulated a commitment to lunar exploration and prevailing in a renewed space race with China. Both nations aspire to establish a permanent human presence on the moon, yet NASA’s Artemis program has encountered multiple delays and budget overruns, while China’s space efforts have made swift advancements.
NASA plans to send four astronauts around the moon next year in a vital test for its next-generation rockets and spacecraft. If successful, the agency aims to land a crew near the moon’s south pole by 2027. In parallel, China has announced plans to achieve its own lunar landing by 2030.
Beyond its lunar aspirations, NASA faces ambiguity regarding its funding and overarching purpose. Earlier this year, President Trump’s budget proposal suggested cutting over $6 billion, or roughly 24%, from NASA’s budget, but this met with considerable resistance in both the House and Senate.
Isaacman was subject to extensive questioning during his confirmation hearing regarding the leak of “Project Athena,” a document detailing his vision for NASA. The 62-page proposal, first reported by Politico, suggested significant alterations to NASA’s scientific agenda, such as prioritizing Mars missions, enhancing nuclear-electric propulsion, reforming certain NASA centers, and increasing commercial partnerships.
Isaacman stated in the hearing that Project Athena is a “draft document,” yet he affirmed support for its contents, asserting that they are “valid from all perspectives.”
The confirmation proceedings also spotlighted Isaacman’s ties with Elon Musk. Isaacman has made two space flights on commercial SpaceX missions, self-financed, without publicly disclosed costs. Musk, founder and CEO of SpaceX, previously aligned with Trump but supported Isaacman’s initial nomination.
The reversal of Isaacman’s nomination came during a public spat between Trump and Musk. Isaacman faced scrutiny regarding his connections with Musk, including how his business dealings relate to SpaceX.
Isaacman downplayed this connection, emphasizing that he chose SpaceX for his space travel due to its unique capability to transport astronauts to and from space.
He concluded, stating, “There are no photos of him at dinner, in a bar, on a plane, on a yacht, because they don’t exist.”
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump revealed his intention to renominate billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to head NASA, just months after abruptly removing Isaacman’s name from consideration in May.
“Jared’s enthusiasm for space, his astronaut experience, and his commitment to advancing exploration and unlocking the secrets of space make him the perfect candidate to guide NASA into a new and daring era,” stated President Trump. View on Truth Social.
Should he be confirmed, Isaacman would succeed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who has been serving as interim administrator of the space agency since July.
At 42, Isaacman is considered somewhat of an outsider for leading the space agency. As the founder and CEO of payment processing company Shift4, he has never held a position with NASA or the federal government.
Nonetheless, he has completed two spaceflights on commercial SpaceX missions, having personally financed both endeavors for undisclosed amounts.
Trump initially nominated Isaacman in December 2024 but retracted his nomination five months later, citing a “thorough review of our existing relationship.” Details were scarce, although some Republicans expressed concern over Isaacman’s past contributions to Democratic campaigns.
If confirmed, Isaacman would take charge of NASA during a time of significant turmoil for the agency. Like other federal departments, NASA has seen major cuts in funding and personnel as part of the Trump administration’s downsizing strategies.
Since Trump’s return to office, NASA has reduced its workforce by about 20%, including over 2,000 senior positions. Last month, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory announced a reduction of 550 jobs, approximately 10% of its workforce.
Additionally, space agencies are bracing for potential budget cuts, as President Trump’s proposed budget indicates a reduction of more than $6 billion (roughly 24%) in NASA funding. With the ongoing government shutdown, many uncertainties surrounding NASA’s future remain.
The situation is complicated by a renewed space race between the U.S. and China, both vying to establish a sustained human presence on the moon. NASA aims to land astronauts by 2027, although delays are likely. Conversely, China has set its sights on landing its astronauts on the moon by 2030.
Elon Musk, founder and CEO of SpaceX and once an ally of Trump, had shown support for Isaacman’s initial nomination. Trump’s choice to withdraw Isaacman’s nomination coincided with a public dispute between Musk and the president.
Trump’s announcement of Isaacman’s renomination comes just weeks after Musk criticized Duffy on the social media platform X, which he owns.
The interim administrator of NASA revealed plans to open SpaceX’s current lunar lander contract to bids from competitors, sparking Musk’s frustration.
In 2021, SpaceX secured a $2.9 billion contract to use its Starship rocket system for NASA’s Artemis III mission, scheduled for 2027. However, Duffy indicated that SpaceX is falling behind and the government aims to foster competition.
Musk expressed his dissatisfaction with Duffy’s remarks, referring to him as a “Sean dummy” and accusing the acting administrator of undermining NASA.
SpaceX’s operations are closely linked to NASA, as the agency depends on Musk’s company for the transportation of astronauts and cargo to the International Space Station, along with upcoming lunar missions.
Is it a China-owned TikTok, or is it managed by a consortium of billionaires backed by Trump?
This is the question Australia is being prompted to contemplate.
The Trump administration stated that the agreement proposed by TikTok to continue its U.S. operations would involve Americans, transferring control to a U.S. firm with seven board members. Donald Trump has indicated that a group of U.S. companies, including Oracle’s Larry Ellison and Fox Corporation’s Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, are part of this deal.
TikTok is owned by the Chinese entity ByteDance. In 2024, the U.S. Congress enacted a law to prohibit social media apps unless sold to a U.S. company, citing privacy and national security issues. The Trump administration has repeatedly extended this ban while negotiations continue between the U.S. and China.
According to White House press secretary Karolyn Leavitt, TikTok’s own algorithm will be “managed by the U.S.”
Liberal Senator James Patterson commented that Australia should transition to the U.S. version of the app as the deal advances.
“If there were a safe version of TikTok in the U.S., it would be unfortunate for the Australian version to remain under the control of foreign authoritarian governments,” he remarked to Murdoch. Sky News.
Tom Sulston, policy director for Digital Rights Watch, highlighted that the issue lies not in ownership, but rather in pervasive user surveillance, describing the transition to U.S. control of TikTok as “puzzling.”
“Ownership isn’t the main concern. The issue is the continuous invasive monitoring of users. U.S.-owned TikTok users do not enjoy greater privacy than those using the Chinese version, as there is a lack of effective regulation of social media firms,” he stated.
“TikTok users remain under extensive surveillance while online, which is utilized for profiling by both them and the National Information Services.”
Sky Predabeck, a fellow at the Australian Institute; emphasized the need for a Royal Commission and expressed her concerns about TikTok’s influence on media representation and public discourse.
“If the Murdochs own TikTok, this would give a new level of power over media, especially since TikTok plays a crucial role in public discussions and elections,” she explained.
Sulston argued that TikTok’s algorithm would likely remain just as opaque under U.S. control, as Meta and other platforms utilize their algorithms with almost no transparency.
“These companies depend on secret algorithms that exploit industrial-level surveillance of users to suggest content and advertisements.”
Dr. Dana McKay, Associate Dean of Interaction, Technology and Information at RMIT University, proposed that Australia should develop its own local version of TikTok for better data and security management.
However, McKay cautioned that ownership changes might lead to an app version that fails to meet user expectations. The core appeal of TikTok is its algorithm, and there is uncertainty about whether the data used for recommendations would be transferred to the U.S. during the transaction.
“Currently, Oracle is in the process of reconstructing the algorithm, but there may be a significant drop in user experience until sufficient data is gathered on viewing habits,” McKay added. “This could take days or weeks, depending on how much data the existing algorithm relies on.”
Will this deter users or drive them to another application? Sulston referenced News Corp’s previous unsuccessful venture into social media with MySpace.
In 2005, News Corp invested USD 580 million during a boom in online social networking. MySpace was valued at USD 12 billion at its peak, but then Facebook emerged, offering better navigation and features.
By June 2008, Australians were visiting Facebook more than MySpace, a trend that didn’t occur in the U.S. until 2009.
Frustrated, Rupert Murdoch sold MySpace in 2011 for USD 35 million.
“News Corp sold MySpace for significantly less than its original purchase of around USD 5 billion. Perhaps this will be another misstep,” Sulston noted.
The federal government maintains its stance on TikTok, which is banned on government devices, and indicates ongoing oversight of U.S. developments during the transaction process.
Both News Corp and TikTok were approached for comment.
Nestled in a quieter street of vibrant central London, the headquarters of a significant yet under-the-radar climate organization awaits your discovery.
The Quadrature Climate Foundation (QCF) annually allocates hundreds of millions of dollars to some of the most impactful campaign groups and scientific institutions, at the forefront of research and advocacy in green transitions. It funds initiatives such as anti-methane vaccines for livestock, sustainable aviation fuel, geothermal energy, and carbon capture technologies.
As research budgets tighten in universities and across the UK, organizations like QCF step in to facilitate the shift toward net-zero emissions.
Established in 2019 as a charitable arm of the Four Seasons hedge fund, the QCF empowers founders Greg Skinner and Sunil Setya to tackle climate challenges. Recently recognized in the Sunday Times Rich List for their philanthropic efforts, they contributed over $6.7 million to climate-related initiatives last week through the foundation. In total, QCF has dispersed over $1 billion to climate interventions, ranking it as one of the largest and most influential climate charities globally.
Who decides which research projects to back, what causes to prioritize, and the strategic direction to pursue? Greg de Temmerman, a former nuclear physicist and the QCF’s Chief Science Officer, is tasked with evaluating proposals to identify the most promising initiatives.
Madeleine Cuff: Could you explain your transition from a nuclear fusion focus to climate strategy?
Greg de Temmerman: I worked on the ITER project [an international fusion experiment based in France] for seven years, the largest scientific endeavor on Earth. Throughout this period, I engaged in outreach efforts to demystify fusion. Unfortunately, the project faced mounting delays.
I was frequently interacting with decision-makers, which illuminated the divide between scientific research and policy-making. Consequently, I chose to exit fusion in 2020 and co-founded a think tank with a Parisian entrepreneur, aiming to bridge the gap between policymakers and early-stage technology. In 2023, I joined the Quadrature Climate Foundation where I continue this mission, but now with greater resources to effect change.
Controversial geoengineering initiatives, like this insulation project in Switzerland, are under scrutiny
Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images
Explain your current role at QCF.
QCF’s mission is to promote projects and partnerships that can drive global change. Our portfolio includes support for early-stage technologies, advocacy, campaigns, technical work, capacity building, and more. It’s crucial to identify the problem at hand.
For instance, one might say, “I want to boost renewable energy,” but what obstacles stand in the way? Is it financial resources? Infrastructure issues? I was brought on board to ask these critical questions and ensure we pursue the right solutions.
How does charitable funding differ from traditional investments and government support?
Charitable funding doesn’t seek financial returns, allowing for greater risk-taking than typical investments. Moreover, we can move more swiftly than government entities. Essentially, we both catalyze the net-zero movement and act as a catalyst for other funding sources.
With an impressive annual budget reaching around $325 million in 2025, do you face significant influences?
We are notable players in climate finance but still small in comparison to what’s needed for a successful climate transition. While it feels empowering to operate at this scale, our budget pales in comparison to the global demands of climate mitigation.
You support various initiatives, from studying climate change impacts to advocating for clean tech entrepreneurship. Can you share a particular success?
We were among the first substantial funders of permanent carbon removal techniques. Our initiatives aimed to develop a compliance market while emphasizing accountability measures. This became critical following discussions ignited by the last international climate change report, which highlighted the necessity for negative emissions, leading to serious dialogue on the subject.
Last year, you introduced a new strategy, shifting focus towards adaptation and resilience in climate change. What prompted this shift?
The climate crisis is accelerating, with more extreme weather events becoming a norm. Adaptation is essential to any decarbonization efforts. This new strategy seeks to unify our initiatives under a coherent vision, aligning with what our founders find most impactful.
As part of the new strategy, you’ll be supporting climate intervention research, particularly geoengineering, which can be contentious. What motivates this funding?
Indeed, these scientific endeavors should predominantly come from public funding, which has been lacking for various reasons. Thus, we decided to support this research to ensure that vital questions are being explored.
This sector raises major ethical concerns. How can you justify financial support for it?
I don’t have a definitive stance on the ethics of geoengineering. Currently, it’s a complex arena that necessitates rigorous understanding, and I don’t endorse any immediate applications of geoengineering techniques.
Our intent is to spark discussions about geoengineering, especially as new startups emerge in this field, despite existing research lagging behind.
Is your support strictly for foundational research, or do you engage with field trials as well?
Much of our backing centers around fundamental climate science. One pressing issue in geoengineering is understanding cloud formation, which parallels many critical challenges in climate science. We funded a minimal outdoor experiment in the U.S. that was suspended after a few weeks due to public backlash. We prefer to remain cautious and utilize robust climate models to predict the impacts of geoengineering. Comprehensive observational capabilities are essential for effective outdoor trials, and we believe there remains much work in foundational climate science.
In the current political climate, with leaders like former President Trump rolling back climate policies, how do you navigate these headwinds?
Transition involves disruption; established systems resist change while new ones emerge, and this tension can be challenging. It’s essential to foster understanding of this dynamic and communicate the complexities inherent to the transition process.
The upcoming years may be tough. Addressing climate issues has become increasingly challenging. In the UK, rising electricity costs compound the disconnect between the public’s perception of renewable energy benefits and their current bills, which can lead to skepticism.
However, there’s compelling motivation to move away from fossil fuels, independent of climate beliefs. Oil and gas markets are notoriously unstable, making diversification essential for resilience. The key is to demonstrate that energy transitions benefit everyone, regardless of their views on climate action.
Oil refinery at sunset in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Panoramic Images/Alamy
Climate disinformation and malign players pose challenges. What can be done to combat this?
Attacks on climate science persist, but the overwhelming evidence supports the scientific consensus. While some may cling to flat Earth beliefs, the facts remain clear. Increasingly, the discourse pivots to contesting solutions rather than the scientific basis itself. For instance, searching “Electric Car” on YouTube reveals numerous videos disputing their efficacy. These discussions, while interesting, rely heavily on data and understanding.
What exciting prospects lie ahead for QCF in the coming year?
To transform industries, we must bring down energy costs, and there are opportunities to achieve that. Furthermore, tackling industrial emissions—once deemed difficult—is now achievable with ready solutions. It’s an exhilarating time as skeptics claimed decarbonizing sectors like steel was impossible. But now, we know we can do it.
As you’ve identified as a major player, how do you cope with the responsibility of influencing climate transition?
It’s about recognizing our role within the broader system and acknowledging our limitations. It’s vital to approach initiatives with the belief that we can unlock new possibilities, while remaining open to the reality that we may not always be correct.
How do you maintain optimism in a time where climate progress appears stagnant?
I often say my optimism shines on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; I’m more pessimistic on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with Sundays reserved for reflection.
President-elect Donald Trump revealed on Wednesday his intention to nominate billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman as the head of NASA.
“Jared will propel NASA’s mission of exploration and inspiration, opening the doors to groundbreaking advancements in space science, technology, and exploration,” President Trump stated. Post to Truth Social.
At 41 years old, Isaacman is the founder and CEO of Shift4, a payment processing company. While he has embarked on two commercial SpaceX spaceflights, he has never been employed by NASA or the federal government. Both spaceflights were privately funded by Isaacman for an undisclosed sum.
Isaacman expressed his honor at being nominated by Trump in a statement.
“Having had the privilege of witnessing our incredible planet from space, I am deeply passionate about America leading the most incredible adventure in human history.” he wrote to x.
Isaacman has a close connection to Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. President Trump has selected Musk, a close associate, to co-lead his new Department of Government Efficiency. Musk congratulated Isaacman on Wednesday. In the post of X.
In 2022, Isaacman partnered with Musk and SpaceX to finance the Polaris mission, a set of three private spaceflights to test technology and maneuvers for exploration beyond Earth’s orbit. Isaacman was one of four civilians sent into orbit on the initial spaceflight called Polaris Dawn.
A five-day mission in September included the first all-civilian spacewalk.
Isaacman also funded and partook in SpaceX’s first all-civilian mission into orbit in 2021.
If confirmed, Isaacman will oversee NASA at a crucial juncture, with major missions planned for the return of humans to the moon in the years ahead.
The United States is facing escalating competition in its quest to reach the moon and establish a lasting presence there.
China has made significant advancements in its space program recently, with plans to land Chinese astronauts on the moon by 2030. The country has already sent a robotic spacecraft to the moon and brought back the initial samples from the far side. Chinese leaders have expressed their intention to eventually construct a lunar base.
“I was born after the moon landing. My children were born after the final space shuttle launch,” Isaacman said in a statement, emphasizing: Through walking on the Moon or Mars, we can enhance life on Earth. “
Mr. Trump’s selection of an outsider to govern NASA, as well as Mr. Musk’s involvement in the forthcoming administration, may indicate a move toward promoting the commercialization of NASA’s activities. At present, the space agency heavily relies on SpaceX and other commercial partners for launching astronauts, cargo, and spacecraft to the International Space Station and beyond.
Bill Nelson, the current administrator of NASA, has been in office since May 2021. Nelson served as a Senator from Florida from 2001 to 2019 and as a Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1979 to 1991.
In 1986, Nelson became the second sitting Congressman to travel to space on Space Shuttle Columbia’s STS-61C mission. Nelson and his crew conducted scientific experiments while orbiting the Earth 98 times in six days.
Former NASA administrators have included former astronauts, scientists, engineers, military personnel, and politicians.
TRussian-born tech entrepreneur Pavel Durov founded wildly popular social networks and cryptocurrencies, amassed a multi-billion dollar fortune, and found himself at odds with authorities in Russia and around the world.
The man, who is just a few months away from his 40th birthday and has been nicknamed “Russia’s Zuckerberg” after Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, has now been arrested in France after being detained at a Paris airport this weekend.
The St. Petersburg native rose to fame in Russia in his 20s when he founded VKontakte (VK), a social network that catered to the needs of Russian-speaking users and surpassed Facebook across the former Soviet Union.
After disputes with Russian authorities and an ownership battle, he sold VKontakte and founded a new messaging service called Telegram, which quickly became popular but also became controversial after being criticized for its lack of control over extremist content.
As this drama raged, Durov remained a mercurial and at times enigmatic figure, rarely giving interviews and limiting himself to the occasional cryptic statement on Telegram.
A self-described libertarian, Durov has promoted internet secrecy and message encryption.
He has steadfastly refused to allow moderation of messages on Telegram, where users can post videos, photos, and comments to “channels” that anyone can follow.
Durov, 39, had an arrest warrant out for him in France for allegedly conducting a wide range of criminal activities on Telegram, including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, and organized crime, including promoting terrorism and fraud.
The investigation has been entrusted to the French national police’s cyber unit and the national anti-fraud office. The suspect was still in police custody on Sunday, according to two sources familiar with the case. He has not been charged with any crime.
In 2006, Durov, a graduate of St. Petersburg University, founded VK, which captivated users despite its mysterious founder.
In an act that epitomized his unpredictable behavior, Durov in 2012 hurled large banknotes at passersby from VK’s headquarters on the roof of a historic bookstore on Nevsky Prospect in St. Petersburg.
TThe business casual revolution of the 1990s and the rise of the tech billionaires in the early 2000s are said to have ushered in a new era of liberating employees from the shackles of dress codes. Mark Zuckerberg transformed the hoodie and jeans into a symbol of the new economy meritocracy, the uniform of genius hackers that would shake up the traditional industrial coat-and-tie aesthetic of the East. In the digital economy, many imagined, the most successful companies would allow their talented employees to wear whatever they wanted while splashing around in colorful ball pools.
But as Facebook engineer Carlos Bueno wrote in a 2014 blog post: Inside the MiratocracyIn the 1960s, we simply replaced the rigid dress code with a slightly less rigid one. The new world is actually not so free. The cognitive dissonance is clear in the faces of recruiters who pretend that clothing is no big deal, yet are clearly disappointed when they show up to an interview in a dark worsted business suit. “You are expected to conform to the rules of your culture before you can demonstrate your true worth,” Bueno writes. “What wearing a suit actually signals, and I don't mean this as a myth, is non-conformism, one of the most serious sins.”
As the rich get fabulously rich, they seem to become even more determined to look as plain as possible.
This reality was on full display earlier this month at the Sun Valley Conference, better known as “summer camp for billionaires.” Since the tradition began in 1984, organizers have been gathering the wealthiest and most influential people for the multi-day conference. A treasure trove of top CEOs, tech entrepreneurs, billionaire investors, media moguls, and more convene at the invitation-only meeting to privately decide the future of the world.
This year's attendees included Jeff Bezos, who continues his incredible transformation from nerd to muscle man. Looking like a successful SoulCycle instructor, he strolled around the resort grounds layered with pearl grey jeans, a skin-tight black T-shirt, and a multitude of colorful bracelets (possibly from the American luxury brand David Yurman).
Jeff Bezos at Amazon's Seattle offices on May 2, 2001, and with his girlfriend Lauren Sanchez at a meeting in Sun Valley, Idaho on July 11, 2024. Composition: AP, Reuters
Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav tried to at least bring some style to the event, donning a brown corduroy trucker jacket, slim-legged blue jeans, smart white sneakers, and a white bandana around his neck. But most of the men in attendance were dressed in scruffy polos, T-shirts, and simple button-down shirts. Billionaire OpenAI CEO Sam Altman looked like he was at freshman orientation in a plain gray T-shirt, blue jeans, and a black backpack slung over each shoulder.
This is not necessarily a bad outfit – many of them are – but one wonders if something has been lost in the move away from coats and ties. A few generations ago, men of this social class would have worn something more visually interesting. In the 1930s, Apparel Arts, a leading men's fashion trade magazine that advises men on how to dress for different environments, recommended the following for resort wear: a navy double-breasted sport coat with a polka-dot scarf and high-waisted trousers in Cannes; a mocha linen beach shirt and wide-cut slacks with self-strap fastenings on the Côte d'Azur; and a white shawl-collar dinner jacket with midnight blue tropical worsted trousers and a white silk dinner shirt for semi-formal evening wear.
The advantage of these clothes is not so much about appearances or elegance, but rather the way they create a unique silhouette. The tailored jacket is particularly useful in this regard. Made from layers of haircloth, canvas, and padding, pad-stitched together and shaped with darts and expert pressing, the tailored jacket creates a flattering V-shape without having one. That silhouette is why Stacey Bendet, founder of fashion company Alice & Olivia, is always the most stylish person at these conferences (this year, she wore flared pants, a long leather coat, giant sunglasses, and a Western-wear hat, each element creating a unique shape). In contrast, Tim Cook's basic polo shirts and slim jeans did little to replicate his physical build.
To me, dressing like this, surrounded by guys in t-shirts and sloppy polo shirts, is pretty funny, and honestly, thank god people like this exist. pic.com/Jaraz4d8XB
In his book Distinction, Pierre Bourdieu correctly recognizes that the notion of “good taste” is merely a habit or taste of the ruling class. He is, of course, not the first to make this observation. In the early 20th century, German sociologist Georg Simmel noted that people often use fashion as a form of class differentiation. According to Simmel, style spreads downward as the working class imitates those deemed socially superior, at which point members of the ruling class move on to another class. But the publication of Distinction in 1979, based on Bourdieu's empirical research from 1963 to 1968, stands out, especially for its understanding of men's style. At the time, the coat and tie was in decline. By the time the book was translated into English in 1984, the suit was drawing its last breath before the rise of casual Fridays, tech entrepreneurs, and remote work would change men's dress forever.
Today's ruling class is hardly inspiring in terms of taste. The preponderance of tech vests replacing navy blazers shows that socioeconomic class still dictates dress habits, even if the style is less appealing. Ironically, while the elite are increasingly dressing like the middle class who go shopping at Whole Foods Market, wealth inequality in the United States has worsened roughly every decade since the 1980s, the last time men were still expected to wear tailored jackets.
To be honest, Jensen Huang was shining: he discovered the power of the jacket, he discovered the uniform (black leather jacket), and also, his tailoring seems pretty good. pic.com/ryjCqD1uaI
If there's a silver lining to all this, it's that the history of clothing in the 20th century is about how influences changed. As the century progressed, men began to receive dress dictates from different social classes, not just those with economic or political power: artists, musicians, and workers. Many of the more provocative fashion moments of this period were about rebellious youth taking a stance of rebellion against the establishment. These included swing kids and hip-hop, bikers, rockers, outlaws, beats and beatniks, modernists and mods, drag and dandies, hippies and bohemians. In recent years, Zuckerberg and Bezos have made an effort to move away from the fleece uniform, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang looks pretty stylish in a head-to-toe black uniform that includes a variety of leather jackets. But for the most part, today it's better to look elsewhere for dress dictates. The ruling class may shape our world, but don't let them shape your outfit.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
