4 ms·

While I really dislike some of his behavior, this goal post moving to try to deny Musk credit for what he's accomplished annoys me. Before Musk we had no econo

by api 5y ago

While I really dislike some of his behavior, this goal post moving to try to deny Musk credit for what he's accomplished annoys me. Before Musk we had no economical reusable launch systems, economical space flight was sci-fi, and in the 2000s there were many people who thought modern civilization must inevitably grind to a halt as we deplete oil because oil is absolutely irreplaceable for modern transport. SpaceX built the first economical to operate reusable space hardware at any scale, and Tesla validated the market for EVs. Even if Tesla fails, without them I highly doubt the EV revolution would be happening. Traditional car companies would never have cannibalized their ICE sales with EVs without a hard kick in the ass to do so.

jacquesm 5y ago
Yes, those comments are right up there with the 'what have the Romans done for us' list. Like him or hate him, no point denying Musk his achievements, which are more than many of us here will manage in our lifetimes and Musk appears to be far from finished. His biggest enemy at this point is himself, that unstable streak is a real worry. But here's to hoping that he will notch up a longer list of achievements.
- DonHopkins 5y ago
  As long as you're quoting Life of Brian: "He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!"
  - jacquesm 5y ago
    Hehe, he definitely is not the Messiah, and it is very well possible that he indeed is a very naughty boy. For Musk being grounded will have a completely different meaning though :)
roca 5y ago
SpaceX is excellent. EVs would have happened without Tesla. The "kick in the ass" is the same thing that has driven all other emissions improvements: government regulation.
- api 5y ago
  Without Tesla those government mandates would have led to undesirable “compliance cars.” Tesla made EVs sexy and is why we now have an E-Mustang.
  - roca 5y ago
    There is no reason to believe the former. Car companies have to comply while also selling cars.
    - api 5y ago
      They would have dragged their feet as much as possible to keep ICE alive. Too much car culture inertia and sunk cost. Being shown up is more powerful and motivating than regulations.
andrepd 5y ago
> and in the 2000s there were many people who thought modern civilization must inevitably grind to a halt as we deplete oil because oil is absolutely irreplaceable for modern transport Lol, what an exaggeration. I don't think anyone argued seriously that we would have to stop using cars at all. The conversation was always about renewable energy.
stjohnswarts 5y ago
Yeah he has definitely helped push (and unwilling and petrol addicted) civilization a lot more towards EVs despite what the denialists want to have us think. However he's neither a messiah like the Muskavites would have us believe nor is he an evil mustache twiddling villain like the other side would have you believe.

by api 5y ago

jacquesm 5y ago

Yes, those comments are right up there with the 'what have the Romans done for us' list. Like him or hate him, no point denying Musk his achievements, which are more than many of us here will manage in our lifetimes and Musk appears to be far from finished. His biggest enemy at this point is himself, that unstable streak is a real worry. But here's to hoping that he will notch up a longer list of achievements.

DonHopkins 5y ago
As long as you're quoting Life of Brian: "He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!"
- jacquesm 5y ago
  Hehe, he definitely is not the Messiah, and it is very well possible that he indeed is a very naughty boy. For Musk being grounded will have a completely different meaning though :)

roca 5y ago

SpaceX is excellent. EVs would have happened without Tesla. The "kick in the ass" is the same thing that has driven all other emissions improvements: government regulation.

api 5y ago
Without Tesla those government mandates would have led to undesirable “compliance cars.” Tesla made EVs sexy and is why we now have an E-Mustang.
- roca 5y ago
  There is no reason to believe the former. Car companies have to comply while also selling cars.
  - api 5y ago
    They would have dragged their feet as much as possible to keep ICE alive. Too much car culture inertia and sunk cost. Being shown up is more powerful and motivating than regulations.

andrepd 5y ago

> and in the 2000s there were many people who thought modern civilization must inevitably grind to a halt as we deplete oil because oil is absolutely irreplaceable for modern transport Lol, what an exaggeration. I don't think anyone argued seriously that we would have to stop using cars at all. The conversation was always about renewable energy.

stjohnswarts 5y ago

Yeah he has definitely helped push (and unwilling and petrol addicted) civilization a lot more towards EVs despite what the denialists want to have us think. However he's neither a messiah like the Muskavites would have us believe nor is he an evil mustache twiddling villain like the other side would have you believe.