It's a joke that the media has continued to dig and dig on as a serious consideration.
Google X's Chief of Moonshots (effectively the CEO), Astro Teller, alludes to the space elevator being a fun joke in his SXSW 2013 speech [1], including confirmation of it never being taken seriously by the team.
Google X's Chief of Moonshots (effectively the CEO), Astro Teller, alludes to the space elevator being a fun joke in his SXSW 2013 speech [1], including confirmation of it never being taken seriously by the team.
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8mTHgaLQ7w