ADVERTISEMENT

Have stayed away from the WC since the election because it’s such a toxic stew…

While I understand the angst about Musk's foray into American electoral politics, I have to say that I'm hoping he'll have a great deal of influence over Trump in the coming 4 years.

A lot of Trump critics seem very wary of that -- taunting him as "President Musk", Musk bought the presidency, etc. And I guess you can add a lot of MAGA types to that now, after the immigration dustup over the past week or two.

But among the roster of people in Trump's inner circle -- not to mention Trump himself -- he seems to me to easily have the most astute sense of what's wrong with the country and what kinds of things we need to do to fix it. In other words, I'd much rather Elon Musk have Trump's ear than people like Steve Bannon, RFK2, Matt Gaetz, or Stephen Miller.

As eccentric and strange as he is, Musk is an extremely smart guy. And there haven't been too many remarks he's made regarding important policy matters where I wasn't nodding my head in agreement.
Based on what I'm hearing, the biggest concern on the left - and perhaps this overlaps with the concerns in MAGAland - is that Musk isn't really too concerned with what's wrong with the country, but is instead simply latching onto an opportunity to influence the federal government for his own benefit.
 
Based on what I'm hearing, the biggest concern on the left - and perhaps this overlaps with the concerns in MAGAland - is that Musk isn't really too concerned with what's wrong with the country, but is instead simply latching onto an opportunity to influence the federal government for his own benefit.

I just don’t get that vibe out of him. Maybe I’m naive, but that’s my sense.

Musk has been vocal that he supports dropping federal subsidies for EVs. SpaceX generally doesn’t file patents on their technological advancements - as he thinks they stifle innovation. Things like that. He’s just a different cat on those sorts of things.

That said, I wouldn’t say that something that benefits Musk, directly or indirectly, is necessarily mutually exclusive from something that is generally beneficial for the country. And that might be especially true as regards regulation.

In other words, if some regulation gets relaxed or altered in a way that is good for Musk, that doesn’t necessarily mean it should be left alone.

I guess time will tell. I’m just saying that, based on things he’s said publicly, I’m glad that he’s in the mix…you have to consider the alternatives. Because somebody is going to be plotting the course - and we could do a helluva lot worse.
 
I just don’t get that vibe out of him. Maybe I’m naive, but that’s my sense.

Musk has been vocal that he supports dropping federal subsidies for EVs. SpaceX generally doesn’t file patents on their technological advancements - as he thinks they stifle innovation. Things like that. He’s just a different cat on those sorts of things.

That said, I wouldn’t say that something that benefits Musk, directly or indirectly, is necessarily mutually exclusive from something that is generally beneficial for the country. And that might be especially true as regards regulation.

In other words, if some regulation gets relaxed or altered in a way that is good for Musk, that doesn’t necessarily mean it should be left alone.

I guess time will tell. I’m just saying that, based on things he’s said publicly, I’m glad that he’s in the mix…you have to consider the alternatives. Because somebody is going to be plotting the course - and we could do a helluva lot worse.
I don't think you need a vibe. I think people just naturally don't trust billionaires. And it doesn't help that he's come off as something of a selfish, petulant child since taking over Twitter, which dovetails nicely with people's natural fears.
 
I don't think you need a vibe. I think people just naturally don't trust billionaires. And it doesn't help that he's come off as something of a selfish, petulant child since taking over Twitter, which dovetails nicely with people's natural fears.

But that doesn’t have any effect at all on what I’m saying.

People can trust or distrust whoever they want. Their beliefs (and mine) are of zero consequence.

All that I’m saying is that, given his public comments on our fiscal mess, our immigration policies, government waste and duplication, permitting, etc….I’m glad he’s at the table. He has the right complaints.
 
But that doesn’t have any effect at all on what I’m saying.

People can trust or distrust whoever they want. Their beliefs (and mine) are of zero consequence.

All that I’m saying is that, given his public comments on our fiscal mess, our immigration policies, government waste and duplication, permitting, etc….I’m glad he’s at the table. He has the right complaints.
You were also talking about why Trump critics and supporters both "seem wary" of Musk, and I was commenting directly to that point.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hoosboot
I’m not thin skinned. I was just tired of reading the exact same post 20x a day from the same poster. Every thread got hijacked with the exact same BS. I was hoping the Trumpophiles maybe were just so ecstatic now they would maybe be a little less…. (Fill in the blank)
Agreed. It’s one guy with nothing going on in his life repeating the same political message countless times every day and, even more bizarrely, presenting a fantasized version of himself - - highest IQ, best body, biggest dick, high-level athlete, many thriving businesses, close friends in every industry in every state, most gifted, attractive children - - in a desperate attempt to impress people he doesn’t even know. I think you diagnosed a personality disorder, and it’s actually easier to take in that context. In any event, he’s driven a lot of people away. I stop by if I see something new from you or Ohio or one of the five or six other posters worth reading. Otherwise it’s a waste of time.
 
Agreed. It’s one guy with nothing going on in his life repeating the same political message countless times every day and, even more bizarrely, presenting a fantasized version of himself - - highest IQ, best body, biggest dick, high-level athlete, many thriving businesses, close friends in every industry in every state, most gifted, attractive children - - in a desperate attempt to impress people he doesn’t even know. I think you diagnosed a personality disorder, and it’s actually easier to take in that context. In any event, he’s driven a lot of people away. I stop by if I see something new from you or Ohio or one of the five or six other posters worth reading. Otherwise it’s a waste of time.
Still a pussy shocked by people doing average things in life I see. Eat a bullet. Save yourself from your self loathing. You offer nothing. Why bother in 2025
 
Last edited:
You were also talking about why Trump critics and supporters both "seem wary" of Musk, and I was commenting directly to that point.

I think the actual reason they’re wary of Musk’s influence is because they don’t agree with his stated positions on public policy….and are just using the whole “the billionaire is taking over government to enrich himself!” angle as a means of playing defense against him advancing those balls.

There are quite obviously people who don’t want to see the cost of government reduced. That means jobs cut, for one thing. But the reasons don’t stop there.

There are also people who don’t want to see the border secured - which ought to be obvious by now, because they’ve more or less gotten their way on that to date.

And I don’t think these people are stupid enough to make frontal arguments on those issues…because few people would be supportive of them.

As such, it’s far smarter to stoke fears that Musk has his sights on government power and influence for his own ends. And I’m sure you’re right that there are people who are stupid enough to buy that.
 
SpaceX generally doesn’t file patents on their technological advancements - as he thinks they stifle innovation. Things like that. He’s just a different cat on those sorts of things.
This surprised me so I looked some stuff up. From this article, it appears Musk has economic reasons for opening up some patents for his companies. Also, Tesla has a boatload of them and SpaceX has hundreds, though they don't seem very valuable:


Psychologically, I think Musk is so wealthy now, I doubt he would be trying to rig the govt system to make him much more so (although I'm sure he won't be suggesting anything that would materially affect his own business interests).

I'd guess at this point he wants to be recognized in history as someone great (vanity) and advance his own values. And if he can put his mark on the most powerful nation on Earth, so much the better in that regard.

He's smart, but I'm not sure engineering smart translates to govt/political philosophy smart. It can, of course, but I don't think it's necessarily the case.
 
This surprised me so I looked some stuff up. From this article, it appears Musk has economic reasons for opening up some patents for his companies. Also, Tesla has a boatload of them and SpaceX has hundreds, though they don't seem very valuable:


Psychologically, I think Musk is so wealthy now, I doubt he would be trying to rig the govt system to make him much more so (although I'm sure he won't be suggesting anything that would materially affect his own business interests).

I'd guess at this point he wants to be recognized in history as someone great (vanity) and advance his own values. And if he can put his mark on the most powerful nation on Earth, so much the better in that regard.

He's smart, but I'm not sure engineering smart translates to govt/political philosophy smart. It can, of course, but I don't think it's necessarily the case.
I think so too re his objectives and interest. And @Marvin the Martian some time ago has a good post on the philosophical and organizational differences in the sectors and how his skill set might contravene same
 
This surprised me so I looked some stuff up. From this article, it appears Musk has economic reasons for opening up some patents for his companies. Also, Tesla has a boatload of them and SpaceX has hundreds, though they don't seem very valuable:


Psychologically, I think Musk is so wealthy now, I doubt he would be trying to rig the govt system to make him much more so (although I'm sure he won't be suggesting anything that would materially affect his own business interests).

I'd guess at this point he wants to be recognized in history as someone great (vanity) and advance his own values. And if he can put his mark on the most powerful nation on Earth, so much the better in that regard.

He's smart, but I'm not sure engineering smart translates to govt/political philosophy smart. It can, of course, but I don't think it's necessarily the case.
*too in prior. Fascinating read on patents. Mark cuban has been vocal about patents too. Claimed they stifle innovation
 
  • Like
Reactions: BradStevens
This surprised me so I looked some stuff up. From this article, it appears Musk has economic reasons for opening up some patents for his companies. Also, Tesla has a boatload of them and SpaceX has hundreds, though they don't seem very valuable:


Psychologically, I think Musk is so wealthy now, I doubt he would be trying to rig the govt system to make him much more so (although I'm sure he won't be suggesting anything that would materially affect his own business interests).

I'd guess at this point he wants to be recognized in history as someone great (vanity) and advance his own values. And if he can put his mark on the most powerful nation on Earth, so much the better in that regard.

He's smart, but I'm not sure engineering smart translates to govt/political philosophy smart. It can, of course, but I don't think it's necessarily the case.

Maybe. But I’m just saying that I agree with his diagnoses on the big problems facing the country. Whether or not he’ll be effective in getting them addressed remains to be seen.

But honestly, I’m pretty bearish. There’s only so much that can be done unilaterally by the executive. And Congress is bound to be a tarpit for much of anything beyond the normal appropriations process.

Again, my point was simply that, given the information I have about Musk, Trump himself, and those in Trump’s inner circle, I’m pretty damn glad that Musk is there.

I don’t think I can name one major policy issue where I disagree with him. I can’t imagine him saying, for instance, that America is best served by prohibiting port automation or something similarly boneheaded.
 
*too in prior. Fascinating read on patents. Mark cuban has been vocal about patents too. Claimed they stifle innovation
They do. They're a trade-off between incentivizing innovation with money through a temporary monopoly and stifling other developers in the time of the patent.
 
Maybe. But I’m just saying that I agree with his diagnoses on the big problems facing the country. Whether or not he’ll be effective in getting them addressed remains to be seen.

But honestly, I’m pretty bearish. There’s only so much that can be done unilaterally by the executive. And Congress is bound to be a tarpit for much of anything beyond the normal appropriations process.

Again, my point was simply that, given the information I have about Musk, Trump himself, and those in Trump’s inner circle, I’m pretty damn glad that Musk is there.

I don’t think I can name one major policy issue where I disagree with him. I can’t imagine him saying, for instance, that America is best served by prohibiting port automation or something similarly boneheaded.
Gotcha.
 
They do. They're a trade-off between incentivizing innovation with money through a temporary monopoly and stifling other developers in the time of the patent.
I don’t know enough to comment. I will tell you our first and main product has patents filed by almost 100 companies with similar products. As of today 3 of us have gone to market. I don’t understand what all of those people were doing. It’s not something that cost a fortune to go to market. Why did they bother filing for patent approval. In hopes some outfit would infringe?
 
I don’t know enough to comment. I will tell you our first and main product has patents filed by almost 100 companies with similar products. As of today 3 of us have gone to market. I don’t understand what all of those people were doing. It’s not something that cost a fortune to go to market. Why did they bother filing for patent approval. In hopes some outfit would infringe?
Yep, or ask for licensing deals.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mcmurtry66
Yup. That's what patent trolls do. Those are the people Cuban hates.
Got it. I know time is different between utility and design but there should be a shorter time that you have to go to market or at least demonstrate steps towards same as a condition precedent to an infringement action otherwise you don’t get to be a troll
 
Agreed. It’s one guy with nothing going on in his life repeating the same political message countless times every day and, even more bizarrely, presenting a fantasized version of himself - - highest IQ, best body, biggest dick, high-level athlete, many thriving businesses, close friends in every industry in every state, most gifted, attractive children - - in a desperate attempt to impress people he doesn’t even know. I think you diagnosed a personality disorder, and it’s actually easier to take in that context. In any event, he’s driven a lot of people away. I stop by if I see something new from you or Ohio or one of the five or six other posters worth reading. Otherwise it’s a waste of time.
He didn’t mind my presence until I dared to disagree with him last fall about Trump… then the personal attacks came flying. Reminds me a lot of a middle school bully. Probably where the brain development ended
 
They do. They're a trade-off between incentivizing innovation with money through a temporary monopoly and stifling other developers in the time of the patent.
So it's OK with you if someone in the US invents a product and then a country like China can immediately take that invention and subsidize the hell out of it so the original inventor makes no money on it?

How is that an incentive for innovation?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lucy01
So it's OK with you if someone in the US invents a product and then a country like China can immediately take that invention and subsidize the hell out of it so the original inventor makes no money on it?

How is that an incentive for innovation?
I'm just describing the trade-offs that patents represent from a theoretical perspective. Not really expressing an opinion on their desirability.

But yes, I think patents make sense.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DANC
So it's OK with you if someone in the US invents a product and then a country like China can immediately take that invention and subsidize the hell out of it so the original inventor makes no money on it?

How is that an incentive for innovation?
Our patent laws don’t apply there. They do that now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jet812
I'm just describing the trade-offs that patents represent from a theoretical perspective. Not really expressing an opinion on their desirability.

But yes, I think patents make sense.
I believe patents - and the endorcement of them - is the strength of the US and the main reason it is the lead innovator in the world.

The prospect of getting rich - and quickly - is loathesome to many people, but it is THE primary driver of success in this world. Not the only one, but the primary one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: stollcpa and Lucy01
The do so illegally. And they do apply there, they just don't enforce the rules.

There are international laws on patents.
No. Patents are territorial. They only apply in the country granted. A Chinese guy could go online rip off my design patent and do the exact same thing in China and I’d have no recourse. I know there’s that international wipo or something but I assume you have to register it there and in practice how would a small business enforce it. Call noodle
 
Last edited:
No. Patents are territorial. They only apply in the country granted. A Chinese guy could go online rip off my design patent and do the exact same thing in China and I’d have no recourse. I know there’s that international wipo or something but I assume you have to register it there and in practice how would a small business enforce it. Call noodle
That's what I'm saying - enforcement is the issue.

China has made it's living, ripping off the US, which is part of Trump's appeal for embargoes.
 
Based on what I'm hearing, the biggest concern on the left - and perhaps this overlaps with the concerns in MAGAland - is that Musk isn't really too concerned with what's wrong with the country, but is instead simply latching onto an opportunity to influence the federal government for his own benefit.
I think you nailed the concerns of the left. That also reveals the lefts profound ignorance about innovators thinking instead that the government represents innovation. Of course that is hogwash, but the left will never cease thinking about government in this way.

Musk has better ways to increase his footprint than to bend government in his favor.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DANC and stollcpa
I think you nailed the concerns of the left. That also reveals the lefts profound ignorance about innovators thinking instead that the government represents innovation. Of course that is hogwash, but the left will never cease thinking about government in this way.

Musk has better ways to increase his footprint than to bend government in his favor.
The left thinks "that the government represents innovation?"

Link?
 
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT