Don’t rich people have legitimate tax avoidance mechanisms? Elon Musk revealed that the stock option taxes he has to pay at both the federal and California state levels amount to a staggering 45%. And when he passes away someday, nearly half of his estate will be taken away again as inheritance tax. When you break it all down, the world’s richest man will ultimately only pocket about a quarter of his total wealth. 45% income tax plus 45% inheritance tax after death—it’s like slicing off most of the peak of modern capital accumulation. He’s holding onto his company shares not to kick back and enjoy life, but to ensure he keeps his hands on the steering wheel until AI fully matures and can autonomously manage the company. Once general artificial intelligence becomes smart enough to take over business operations, humanity’s control through equity will completely fade away.