In 2008, Elon Musk wasn't a billionaire. He was broke, divorced, and borrowing rent money. Tesla and SpaceX were 48 hours away from bankruptcy. He didn't survive because of his IQ. He survived because he fought for liquidity until the 11th hour. The truth is that money is oxygen. Drowning at 10 feet feels exactly the same as drowning at 10,000 feet. You aren't smarter when you are funded - you are just alive. Miracles are great. Funding is better.