Tesla

[Kamban]

Was in a discussion with some kids' mothers yesterday. One of the mothers applied for tesla batteries May of last year and is still waiting to get them installed. Then another mother verbalized that she eventually needs to get a tesla car. I asked why? She responded sincerely(she's Swedish so I didn't get a snarky sarcastic vibe from her), "Because to save the enviroment." WTF? Is this really what is going on in the minds of educated adults? Honestly, I think most people get tesla to keep up with the jones's. That's fine, drives earnings, funds the economy, blah blah blah. Yes the environment thing and sustainability is kind of in the background. Don't get me wrong, every little bit helps, but new, shiny, envy generation is what moves motivates our lizard brain, right?

I am not Swedish but help save the environment was actually number 2 in my list of reasons for buying a Tesla. The top reason was ease of home charging and starting out daily with a full tank. Keeping up with the Jones did not even enter my mind as a reason as I don't care what others drive or others think what I drive.

People think that battery production and its environmental impact, especially lithium mining is worse than what gasoline cars do for the environment. That is just an excuse to go on buying gasoline vehicles. The reality is mining for lithium, though bad, is not as bad what people make it out to be. Lithium is eminently recyclable and there is research to substitute the easier to mine, cheaper and more abundant cobalt in place of lithium. The cars batteries last up to 500K miles, as shown by some of Tesla cars. Even though electricity production can cause pollution, it is easier to control at the big source than thousands of small little pollutants puttering away on our roads.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/10/17/fact-check-electric-cars-emit-less-better-environment/3671468001/

At the end of the day, buy what you want but if you have the wealth, why not use it for charity rather than give more to your children or to Uncle Sam. In this case I am providing some charity to help our planet live a little longer and better rather than give some to some religious organization.

[Lordosis]

Was in a discussion with some kids' mothers yesterday. One of the mothers applied for tesla batteries May of last year and is still waiting to get them installed. Then another mother verbalized that she eventually needs to get a tesla car. I asked why? She responded sincerely(she's Swedish so I didn't get a snarky sarcastic vibe from her), "Because to save the enviroment." WTF? Is this really what is going on in the minds of educated adults? Honestly, I think most people get tesla to keep up with the jones's. That's fine, drives earnings, funds the economy, blah blah blah. Yes the environment thing and sustainability is kind of in the background. Don't get me wrong, every little bit helps, but new, shiny, envy generation is what moves motivates our lizard brain, right?

Are there any studies comparing the cost to the environment between ICE and EV? I hear the materials for the batteries are rather bad for the environment to mine and produce.

My guess is the best choice is to drive your old beater and not get something new.

[CordMcNally]

Then another mother verbalized that she eventually needs to get a tesla car. I asked why? She responded sincerely(she's Swedish so I didn't get a snarky sarcastic vibe from her), "Because to save the enviroment." WTF? Is this really what is going on in the minds of educated adults?

Stupidity knows no bounds and does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, or socioeconomic boundaries.

[burritos]

Was in a discussion with some kids' mothers yesterday. One of the mothers applied for tesla batteries May of last year and is still waiting to get them installed. Then another mother verbalized that she eventually needs to get a tesla car. I asked why? She responded sincerely(she's Swedish so I didn't get a snarky sarcastic vibe from her), "Because to save the enviroment." WTF? Is this really what is going on in the minds of educated adults? Honestly, I think most people get tesla to keep up with the jones's. That's fine, drives earnings, funds the economy, blah blah blah. Yes the environment thing and sustainability is kind of in the background. Don't get me wrong, every little bit helps, but new, shiny, envy generation is what moves motivates our lizard brain, right?

[Tim]

They rarely issue an apology or correction these days and if they do it is typically buried.

The clarification was published. I am sure not all ran the story.

[CordMcNally]

Since a lot of media blamed autopilot and it’s not the case are they going to issue an apology or correction?

They rarely issue an apology or correction these days and if they do it is typically buried.

[Nysoz]

Yeah Tesla just needs to cooperate, but they also should have the opportunity to clarify/defend misleading/false statements or “journalism” that has jumped the gun and made assumptions.

Since a lot of media blamed autopilot and it’s not the case are they going to issue an apology or correction?

[Brains428]

We are gonna agree to disagree on this one Kamban. I don't know if there is anything to cover up, whether it be involuntary manslaughter by the runaway driver, or a system failure by Tesla. I think it's best to do the "we are sorry for the family. We are cooperating with and waiting for a full investigation by such and such regulatory agency" line.

[Kamban]

Anyone find it interesting that Tesla is making statements about the crash, rather than await the full investigation. Legal 101- don't self incriminate.

They're waiting on recovery of the SD card for all the data.

I am not sure how the SD card or a SSD could have survived that fire.

Tesla is willing to take a risk about being proven wrong, or has data on their servers that shows that there was no FSD and that AP was not engaged. So it was not a runaway Tesla, but someone actively driving it.

Audi had the sudden acceleration controversy in 1986 and had such bad publicity inducing a 60 minutes show and 6 drivers suing Audi, that caused Audi sales to plummet and not recover for more than a couple of decades and they lost market share to BMW and Mercedes. People stopped buying Audi. And the NHTSA found that it as all due to driver error, with the driver mistakenly pressing the accelerator instead of the brake. Tesla does not want to get caught in such a mistaken controversy and lose sales by keeping mum. So it has adopted the best strategy is to counter attack and put the blame on the other party.

[Molar Mechanic]

It seems they have two options. Be part of the investigation and keep their mouth shut publicly, or opt out of the investigation and let others control the narrative around the crash.

I'd wager they're taking the best path for their business, as perception is reality.

[Brains428]

Anyone find it interesting that Tesla is making statements about the crash, rather than await the full investigation. Legal 101- don't self incriminate.

They're waiting on recovery of the SD card for all the data.

[Brains428]

I've watched more episodes the past 2 years. Weekend update has gotten a lot better. The commercials and shorts are pretty funny. Here was one from this past year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcEylCwkSxE

[xraygoggles]

I'm sure it's to try to boost ratings. I'm not sure what SNL's ratings have been but it seems like most things on TV have had down ratings. I used to look forward to SNL but probably haven't watch an entire episode in over a decade.

You don't need to watch it live. the Youtube channel has only the clips on it - it is very popular. I use it sometimes to pick and choose which clips to watch. The opening skits are usually top notch.

[CordMcNally]

Pretty odd pick for a host. There are a lot of well known people out there who wouldn't necessarily make great hosts.

I'm sure it's to try to boost ratings. I'm not sure what SNL's ratings have been but it seems like most things on TV have had down ratings. I used to look forward to SNL but probably haven't watch an entire episode in over a decade.

[Kamban]

SNL is a such a tired old show. I have stopped watching it. It needs a kick in the rear and something fresh

Elon will certainly draw viewers. I might watch his monologue on Youtube.