> non-conformist

I'd use the word "immature" instead.

For some definition of mature. You can think of behavior as being convergent or divergent. When performing optimally, convergent behavior follows the herd and produces incremental innovation. Again when performing optimally, divergent behavior shoots off in unexpected directions and produces disruptive innovation.

We tend to associate maturity with convergent behavior. Musk is clearly divergent so, in that sense, he is immature. As he should be.

Both behaviors are needed for society as a whole to progress. There is not one better optimization choice. Many Musk detractors or supporters make the error of assuming one optimization is better than the other, when it is not clearly the case.

Can we accept Musk as an immature valid individual? We should.

> We tend to associate maturity with convergent behavior.

Not me. A lot of very mature people were/are going against the flow, because their maturity does not allow them to participate in the madness that is the preexisting reality they find themselves in. For a trivial example, see for example how a lot of older, more mature developers have harder time adapting to shitty companies. For more extreme cases, see Simone Veil, Ghandi etc.

Investor fraud isn't just whimsy nonconformism.

That's not what OP is saying. OP is saying what makes Elon good at his job is always what makes him say a meme tweet that gets him in trouble with the SEC. You get both.

Though he might have visionary moments of non-conformity, it sets an awful precedent to allow people to violate common ethics in order to allow them to just "be themselves."

It would be awful but ethics change often so what can you do.

> meme tweet that gets him in trouble with the SEC

The "meme tweet" defrauded investors. He barely got in any trouble with the SEC relative to what it was.