Elon Musk came under fire on Sunday after launching an extraordinary attack on a British diver who helped rescue the boys trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand, baselessly calling him a “pedo” on Twitter and then doubling down.
That was in 2018? Wow. I thought that was after his 2020 public slide. He hinted awful even before then. I guess I was still in the forgiving him his trespasses at that time, probably because the news wasn't a daily Leon saturation then.
hepcat wrote: Wed Mar 12, 2025 11:16 am
One thing that makes me feel a twinge of savage delight is the belief that his standing in the world hopefully now means his access to money hungry actresses and young female pop singers has been limited because they're more afraid of being shunned by the entertainment industry than they love his bank account.
Yes, I'm that awful.
I thought his thing was career advancing women within his companies.
This all began because Grimes kicked his ass to the curb. That's what started him down the path of becoming The World's Most Divorced Man.
"What? What?What?" -- The 14th Doctor
It's not enough to be a good player... you also have to play well. -- Siegbert Tarrasch
Max Peck wrote: Wed Mar 12, 2025 12:47 pm
This all began because Grimes kicked his ass to the curb. That's what started him down the path of becoming The World's Most Divorced Man.
Grimes was like third or more down the line in the rotation. I think it began well before her.
Trump and Musk share a love of trophy wives/girlfriends/bragging rights.
GreenGoo wrote: Wed Mar 12, 2025 10:19 am
To be clear, I'm not saying anything goes for everyone just because it's crazy time in America. I'm saying we shouldn't be surprised by much, and certainly not by some (potentially misplaced) anger expressed as name calling. The idea that people directing their anger at an icon that literally represents the target of their anger, is somehow 100% part of the problem, is ludicrous.
Tesla and Musk are synonymous.
But sure, supporting the dismantling of the American government and giving the finger to car owners is 100% part of the same problem.
Lu. Di. Crous.
I think less time needs to be spent explaining Kurth's position to us, which we fully understand, and more time spent explaining to Kurth just how anger works and why finger flippers are angry and why they are targeting Tesla owners.
Kurth is the one having difficulty understanding human nature.
This isn't even close to correct. I understand human nature. I'm just disappointed in it, as I'd be disappointed to learn that OOers here "understand," as in sympathize with, assholes giving Tesla owners the bird.
In all your smugness GreenGoo, have you thought much about the extent to which misplaced anger led us to the state we're in right now? What pisses me off most about people giving the finger to Tesla owners is that it's a mirror to some of the misplaced anger that MAGAts exhibited resulting in the election of Trump not once but twice. It's fine to be angry. But it's not fine - it's not understandable - to direct that anger at people or things or programs that are not deserving of it. That's stupidity. It's also incredibly counter-productive, as you risk losing people who very well may be aligned with your cause and would support your anger if directed at the right target and not misdirected at them.
I stand by my opinion that someone who hates Musk/Trump flipping off some random person driving a Tesla is 100% part of the problem that has led us to Trump. If you don't understand that, I think you're probably part of the problem as well.
Just 'cause you feel it, doesn't mean it's there -- Radiohead
Do you believe me? Do you trust me? Do you like me? 😳
Blame Musk for continuing to poison America for being blatantly partisan. And a shitty human being.
When Trump and Musk visibly delight in hurting other Americans, you expect them to roll over and be polite? American status symbols work both ways — and cars are classic symbols of consumerism.
I wouldn’t burn down a Tesla without talking to the driver first, but it IS going to prejudice my initial view of them.
"A lie can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on." -Terry Pratchett, The Truth "The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to those who think they've found it." -Terry Pratchett, Monstrous Regiment
Zarathud wrote: Wed Mar 12, 2025 9:17 pm
Blame Musk for continuing to poison America for being blatantly partisan. And a shitty human being.
When Trump and Musk visibly delight in hurting other Americans, you expect them to roll over and be polite? American status symbols work both ways — and cars are classic symbols of consumerism.
I wouldn’t burn down a Tesla without talking to the driver first, but it IS going to prejudice my initial view of them.
Says the guy riding to Adepticon in a friend’s Tesla next month.
You know I judge that friend as being more unsafe for the roads than AI. His parents bought him a Jeep because drove like curbs were optional. Plus, he’s spent too much time the past decade with Russians grinding out top tier raids in EVE and EverQuest.
I’m probably driving up to Adepticon myself to get over to a sci-fi bookstore downtown.
"A lie can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on." -Terry Pratchett, The Truth "The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to those who think they've found it." -Terry Pratchett, Monstrous Regiment
Smoove_B wrote: Wed Mar 12, 2025 10:52 am
To bring this back on topic - when I drive by Target and refuse to shop there, am I insulting the workers that are employed there and need a paycheck? Should I be going into Target and buying things because I know my neighbor has a job there or can I drive by and give a giant building the finger without it being in any way related to the people that work there?
Of course not. But this is more a question of 'should I give a giant finger to people for shopping at Walmart, and maybe pee on their groceries?' without bothering to consider that they may not be able to shop elsewhere and still be able to afford enough food for their kids for the week.
It's completely understandable why people are angry at Musk and people who feel helpless (that's us) want to strike back at him. Completely understandable. But people who happen to own a Tesla from the reasonably before-times and haven't sold it for too little to replace it, or pushed it into a river - they're not the enemy, and you're not striking back at Musk by making them fearful.
Be pissed. Do pissed-off things as a result. It's human. But remember the other sides of acting human as well, like not judging people people based on a single factor that might well be beyond their control.
Having more than once been on the receiving end of homophobic taunts just for driving a Miata, I'm trying not to judge Tesla drivers right now. Except maybe Cybertruck drivers. Screw them.
