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Here's the problem. Ron Paul made an attribution error. This error is being used to discredit anyone who is critical of SpaceX's role. This same error was not r

by ewzimm 9y ago

Here's the problem. Ron Paul made an attribution error. This error is being used to discredit anyone who is critical of SpaceX's role. This same error was not repeated by all the news outlets listed. One person's mistake does not discredit every other argument about government spending on SpaceX. The primary argument from places like Breitbart is that SpaceX has been a benefit to reducing costs but not yet proved sufficient reliability to be the only affordable option for an area critical to national defense.

ghostbrainalpha 9y ago
This is a much better statement of your criticism. I think from "this point" we could a great conversation, and you might definitely win me over. My view is that Musk has a big problem. If the main customer of his businesses is the tax payer, and the majority or very close to the majority of our tax payers are conservative, he can't be a political actor. This breeds a natural resentment that he is dealing with now.
- ewzimm 9y ago
  That's because I'm a different person! You're right that conservatives generally don't like Musk. His main attraction is his advocacy of the potential of technology to create a better future. Conservatives are generally more skeptical of the advantages of progress, and that's an important role to play in society. We need both believers who have the drive to try new things and skeptics to keep them from making stupid mistakes in their enthusiasm. Tesla's autopilot and SpaceX's rockets offer cutting-edge technology for bargain prices, but they sacrifice the adherence to almost perfect reliability that has held the terrestrial and space transportation industries back. Skepticism about reliability might be partially motivated by dislike of his cult-like following, but it's often also rational and necessary. I think his companies will accomplish great things, and if he has to be a little more careful to please the conservative part of his funding and customer base, it will probably make him a better manager.

by ewzimm 9y ago

ghostbrainalpha 9y ago

This is a much better statement of your criticism. I think from "this point" we could a great conversation, and you might definitely win me over. My view is that Musk has a big problem. If the main customer of his businesses is the tax payer, and the majority or very close to the majority of our tax payers are conservative, he can't be a political actor. This breeds a natural resentment that he is dealing with now.

ewzimm 9y ago
That's because I'm a different person! You're right that conservatives generally don't like Musk. His main attraction is his advocacy of the potential of technology to create a better future. Conservatives are generally more skeptical of the advantages of progress, and that's an important role to play in society. We need both believers who have the drive to try new things and skeptics to keep them from making stupid mistakes in their enthusiasm. Tesla's autopilot and SpaceX's rockets offer cutting-edge technology for bargain prices, but they sacrifice the adherence to almost perfect reliability that has held the terrestrial and space transportation industries back. Skepticism about reliability might be partially motivated by dislike of his cult-like following, but it's often also rational and necessary. I think his companies will accomplish great things, and if he has to be a little more careful to please the conservative part of his funding and customer base, it will probably make him a better manager.