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I suppose one could point out that terrorism is also statistically insignificant, but fear of it very much is significant. So, I can well imagine that the fear

by alan_cx 13y ago

I suppose one could point out that terrorism is also statistically insignificant, but fear of it very much is significant. So, I can well imagine that the fear of being in side a burning new fangled electric car, which has the batteries making up the entire area of the floor and are the scary chemical burny things, probably makes people think twice. Especially when for what ever reason they is a safer alternative. Now, given that marketing is usually about manipulating emotional response in a positive way for a product, we can see that emotional response is a real and serious issue. Simply quoting statistics simply fails because statistics have little to do with emotional response. There for it is missing the point hugely to bang on about such events being statically insignificant. Such events are negative PR and marketing and have a huge negative emotional response. Or, to ram the point home in a hard, emotional way... Imagine trying to tell a parent whose child burned to death in a burning Tesla that its all very sad, but comfort yourselves in the sure knowledge that their child's cindered corpse is statistically insignificant. I'll park out side for you, and keep the engine running, and hope the Mum is a poor shot.....

alex_c 13y ago
You seem to have a bone to pick with Tesla - this is not the first emotionally charged, negative comment I've read from you in a Tesla discussion. Is there a reason? The part that makes me wonder is your example of having to tell a parent their child burned to death in a Tesla. Who is this example aimed at? It's one thing to argue that safety perceptions can harm sales, it's another to argue... I'm not sure what that example is actually arguing, other than FUD.
njharman 13y ago
> I suppose one could point out that terrorism is also statistically insignificant, but fear of it very much is significant. Indeed, both reactions are irrational. And both have wasted opportunity and other costs. Society/world would be better off if people paid attention to actual risks and opportunities. Thinking more about electric cars in general not specifically Tesla. Although, they seem to be crest of wave so are decent proxy. Whether they're riding it or created it is debatable.

by alan_cx 13y ago

alex_c 13y ago

You seem to have a bone to pick with Tesla - this is not the first emotionally charged, negative comment I've read from you in a Tesla discussion. Is there a reason? The part that makes me wonder is your example of having to tell a parent their child burned to death in a Tesla. Who is this example aimed at? It's one thing to argue that safety perceptions can harm sales, it's another to argue... I'm not sure what that example is actually arguing, other than FUD.

njharman 13y ago

> I suppose one could point out that terrorism is also statistically insignificant, but fear of it very much is significant. Indeed, both reactions are irrational. And both have wasted opportunity and other costs. Society/world would be better off if people paid attention to actual risks and opportunities. Thinking more about electric cars in general not specifically Tesla. Although, they seem to be crest of wave so are decent proxy. Whether they're riding it or created it is debatable.