[eddieh]

Well we can split hairs over this all day, but Musk and Trump (Bernie Sanders too) fit the definition of demagogues IMO.

People like the cars because they view them as antiestablishment. e.g. better than what other car makers are building — because the establishment car makers are crooks with no regard for the world and would allow the destruction of nature for a dollar.

Meanwhile the data shows that cars are a minuscule contributor to global warming in comparison to burning coal. And that electric cars are not necessarily cleaner than gas cars when you consider what source they are charged from.

If you want to do something about global warming that will have an actual impacted you must turn China and India into rich countries that can afford be green (to use the common vernacular).

Musk's whole brand and "popularity [is based on] exploiting prejudice and ignorance among the common people" (from the Wikipedia article on demagogue).

Again, this drives me nuts.

[sheer_horror]

This is not splitting hairs! These are basic facts. The whole idea behind Tesla and Solar City is to have solar power generation and electric cars. 100% clean and renewable, and that's the long term goal. You cannot criticize the means to get there -- powering Teslas with current electricity generation -- when that's so much better than Fossil Fuels already.

People like the cars because they are better than what the other car makers are making. Model S is the safest, fastest, and most efficient sedan on the market. That's a fact!

Cars are minuscule contributors? The EPA site says 14% Co2 is from cars, which is substantial. That's also a fact!

If Tesla keeps going, it will replace generation and consumption of fossil fuels with a fully renewable cycle. How is that not the best thing ever? That's fantastic! We might be cutting more than 30% of our CO2 emissions.

You need to re-evaluate your standpoint. Also, when you're struggling with cognitive dissonance after reading this, consider this: Your brain's attempts to discredit my argument, and paint Elon backers as mindless followers/disciples, is the real example of psychological trickery, not Elon exploiting some prejudice.