[the_duke]

so many are using the 'playing at moonshots with other peoples money' criticism.

It's not like investors are blind or dumbstruck just because it's an idea from Musk.

They do their due diligence and if they think the plan has potential, they invest.

I'm sure there were countless technical issues and big challenges around airplanes in the initial stages. And cars. And trains. And, you know, every new technology.

Could Hyperloop (One) fail miserably? Sure. Could it succeed? Also.

Let's just wait and see.

Also, whenever there are invested interests of established competition, they usually drum up the PR machine against new ideas, just as a precaution.

Just look at the fascinating history of fridges vs ice box companies for one of countless examples.

[rootusrootus]

One need look no farther than Silicon Valley to see a plethora of starry eyed investors who are either blind, dumbstruck, or simply haven't done due diligence. Isn't the bubble about to pop... again?

[the_duke]

I don't think we are in a bubble anything like the dot com debacle.

The industry as a whole is far more mature now, and paths to monetization are clearer. Competition is high, so is the competence of most VCs and investors.

I'd also place an engineering project like Hyperloop in a whole different space than the typical SV stuff.

[knieveltech]

"paths to monetization are clearer." Indeed. Try to generate enough hype to bilk IPO investors or failing that get bought out by a firm that actually makes money.