2 kids trapped in Thai Cave Complex
07-16-2018, 12:06 AM
Quote: (07-15-2018 08:47 PM)Repo Wrote:
Just a reminder Elon Musk wasnt even the original founder of Tesla even though he portrays himself that way.
This is a bit off topic, but to expand on that: It was founded by 2 guys who had the knowledge and motivation to start a grassroots car company. They started out (if I'm remembering this right) with a plan of making lower-end EVs based on existing platforms, swapping out the powertrains with an electric one, to preclude a lot of the compliance testing that would be necessary.
They approached Musk during a Mars Society meeting (a group of scientists and investors that routinely meet to discuss ways of colonizing Mars), and he agreed to raise funding for the project. Eventually the original founders got bought out, and later both were asked to finally resign.
The company approach shifted from entry level to premium, and they've had issues trying to break into the lower end at the right price point. Too much over-promising and under-delivering. I think Musk overestimated the demand for and maturity of this technology and has been in damage control mode for a while. Compare this to SpaceX, which builds off of a mature technology, and utilizes the expertise of skilled professionals in the aerospace field.
Years ago, I was friends with a guy who had a group dinner with Musk, and he described him as an egotistical, thin-skinned dweeb. It sounds accurate based on his tweets from the past few months. Not trying to throw salt on the wounds here, but it's also important to realize our limitations and to be careful not to follow false prophets. He would've been fine if he stuck to being the public figure for SpaceX and used his hyping talents to raise funds for a beneficial and profitable enterprise. He should take it as an opportunity to learn from and gain some humility.
It's really a shame that he took it on himself to criticize the divers who saved the lives of others. These guys are
real life heroes, who risked their lives at the mere
chance of saving those who were powerless to change their situation. Full stop. While it's unfortunate that people can still find something negative in what's one of the most positive stories to come out of the news in years, let's not let it tarnish what happened here.
It's a reminder for us to honor those who walk the walk instead of talk the talk. Usually the heroes are the ones who shy from the spotlight and get on with their duty without praise. Cheers to those brave souls out there.