Lauren WeinsteinDec 11, 2022

It's interesting to see how many current Tesla owners are now expressing embarrassment at driving them in public, due to the now unavoidable associations with Musk's increasingly fascist behavior and statements, with many owners noting that they will never drive another one, and many prospective drivers saying they will now cancel and/or look elsewhere than Tesla.

Of course it's not fair for drivers (who bought into Teslas before Musk's true proclivities were obvious) to be faced with this, but that's what Musk has done to the brand -- single-handedly and with eyes wide open.

Show threadBathsheba BlueDec 11, 2022
@lauren
Musk’s proclivities we’re apparent before … to anyone interested in learning about him.
No one should be surprised by his behavior now. He’s been a liar, a self promoting opportunist and a right winger for years.
Show threadLauren WeinsteinDec 11, 2022
@inklings The key words there are "anyone interested in learning about him." That was a fairly constrained group. Now many more people are very interested and are learning the truth.
Show threadBathsheba BlueDec 11, 2022

@lauren yes, sadly. People were only too happy to ignore the obvious and latch onto the hype and PR surrounding him … confusing the product he’s peddling with him personally.

The media still loves to push the myth of the superhero entrepreneur / executive.

Show threadArgot_RobbieDec 11, 2022

@inklings @lauren I'm generally forgiving of John & Jane Q public for failing to understand that Musk's image was crafted hype and misdirection, because we were awash in propaganda for a decade.

The media copied and pasted Musk's lies without even pantomiming false equivalence. Musk had skeptics and detractors. They were ignored.

For ten years, few checked Musk's previous promises or even pretended to care about his obvious mendacity.

Show threadBathsheba BlueDec 11, 2022

@hydrocabron @lauren
Yep - as I mentioned the msm tends to glorify the “success stories” and ignore their darker impulses.

It’s hard to see how the Musk story is much different than Henry Ford.

Show threadLauren WeinsteinDec 11, 2022
@inklings @hydrocabron I don't think H. Ford engaged in so much fantasy hyperbole about supposed products.
Show threadBathsheba Blue

@lauren @hydrocabron

Disagree. He bought a newspaper to push his product and his management decisions eg paying double the hourly wage. However w all the caveats attached virtually no one actually got paid that wage.

https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/henry-ford-and-jews-story-dearborn-didnt-want-told

Henry Ford and the Jews, the story Dearborn didn’t want told | Bridge Michigan

When a city-financed journal explored a darker side of the auto titan, Dearborn’s mayor banned its distribution and fired the writer. Public officials fail the public when they stifle serious journalism. It’s media’s role to step up.

Dec 11, 2022 at 6:32pmWeb
Show threadLauren WeinsteinDec 11, 2022
@inklings @hydrocabron I'm aware of that. But did he every announce fantasy products and fantasy features as being "next year"? Hyperloop? Fully self drive? Cross-country tunnels? You know what I mean.
Show threadBathsheba BlueDec 11, 2022

@lauren @hydrocabron true - he was more interested in authorizing antisemitic articles like “The International Jew.”

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/henryford-antisemitism/

Ford's Anti-Semitism

Ford lent authority to the anti-Semitic fears and assumptions of many Americans.

American Experience
Show threadLauren WeinsteinDec 11, 2022
@inklings @hydrocabron His views in that sphere are well known. A lot more so than Lovecraft's fans usually know.
Show threadBathsheba BlueDec 11, 2022
@lauren @hydrocabron
Not sure why that’s relevant to the convo lol.
Show threadLauren WeinsteinDec 11, 2022
@inklings @hydrocabron Just that among famous people with such views, Ford is much more well known in that respect than various others.