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The psychodrama Musk causes is far more interesting than anything Musk does. The guy is just a widget maker but his name is enough to summon outraged hordes all

by dnomad 8y ago

The psychodrama Musk causes is far more interesting than anything Musk does. The guy is just a widget maker but his name is enough to summon outraged hordes all desperate for his failure. This kind of naked ressentiment is something that, until recently, you didn't see in the West. The other side of structural inequality is probably this basic need to see the wealthy and powerful suffer, particularly those who have the pretense to declare themselves do gooders. > Musk is agreeing to step down as chairman of the board (while staying CEO) and Tesla is appointing two new independent directors. It's a significant curtailing of his power over Tesla. How was the coverage overplayed? The obsession with Musk is way overplayed at this point. The idea that people care about Tesla at all is laughable. At this point it's all about the desire to see their betters brought low.

Latteland 8y ago
I agree with your comments about the naked interest in seeing him fail, but disagree with the cause. I think the people who want him to fail are more linked to supporting the status quo, in car companies, gas production, hating the idea of evs helping to reduce greenhouse gasses, stock shorters of Tesla, who are often some of those things. My dad fits in this camp. I haven't come across this from people who are jealous of rich people or concerned about income inequality. I see these rabid anti Tesla people are mostly rich, conservatives.
- dnomad 8y ago
  Certainly there's the standard conservative tendency to defed the status quo and hate all revolutionaries but that's sort of the point. Musk would be far more well received and relatable if he was just another grubby capitalist scrounging for as money dollars as possible before he dies. What really seems to get the anti-Musk people going is that the guy appears to be having so much fun. Even when he's working 16 hour days it's doing something he absolutely loves. This sort of day-to-day basic enjoyment is rare -- that Musk should enjoy it while saving the planet must seem outrageously unfair. The rising backlash against Musk and the tech industry is a potent fuel source for the rising ressentiment in the West. It goes beyond politics because people like Musk don't even have any real political power to take away. It's doubtful anything less than his complete failure will be enough to placate people.
dang 8y ago
If you keep posting flamebait to HN we're going to have to ban you. We've already asked you multiple times. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

by dnomad 8y ago

Latteland 8y ago

I agree with your comments about the naked interest in seeing him fail, but disagree with the cause. I think the people who want him to fail are more linked to supporting the status quo, in car companies, gas production, hating the idea of evs helping to reduce greenhouse gasses, stock shorters of Tesla, who are often some of those things. My dad fits in this camp. I haven't come across this from people who are jealous of rich people or concerned about income inequality. I see these rabid anti Tesla people are mostly rich, conservatives.

dnomad 8y ago
Certainly there's the standard conservative tendency to defed the status quo and hate all revolutionaries but that's sort of the point. Musk would be far more well received and relatable if he was just another grubby capitalist scrounging for as money dollars as possible before he dies. What really seems to get the anti-Musk people going is that the guy appears to be having so much fun. Even when he's working 16 hour days it's doing something he absolutely loves. This sort of day-to-day basic enjoyment is rare -- that Musk should enjoy it while saving the planet must seem outrageously unfair. The rising backlash against Musk and the tech industry is a potent fuel source for the rising ressentiment in the West. It goes beyond politics because people like Musk don't even have any real political power to take away. It's doubtful anything less than his complete failure will be enough to placate people.

dang 8y ago

If you keep posting flamebait to HN we're going to have to ban you. We've already asked you multiple times. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html