Here's Elon Musk Ragging On The Media Again, Which His Company Admits It Needs
Elon Musk, of Tesla fame, is back on his bullshit about the media today. The latest idea—from the man who just recently invented the subway—is this: a website where the public can rate the credibility of journalists and publications. Cool.
Musk has been on a tear over the last 48 hours, lambasting "big media" as clickbait whores who'd do anything to paint Tesla in a negative light. Which isn't unusual, but whatever. Roll tape:
The holier-than-thou hypocrisy of big media companies who lay claim to the truth, but publish only enough to sugarcoat the lie, is why the public no longer respects them https://t.co/Ay2DwCOMkr
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 23, 2018
Thought you'd say that. Anytime anyone criticizes the media, the media shrieks "You're just like Trump!" Why do you think he got elected in the first place? Because no ones believes you any more. You lost your credibility a long time ago.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 23, 2018
Problem is journos are under constant pressure to get max clicks & earn advertising dollars or get fired. Tricky situation, as Tesla doesn't advertise, but fossil fuel companies & gas/diesel car companies are among world's biggest advertisers.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 23, 2018
Going to create a site where the public can rate the core truth of any article & track the credibility score over time of each journalist, editor & publication. Thinking of calling it Pravda ...
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 23, 2018
Even if some of the public doesn't care about the credibility score, the journalists, editors & publications will. It is how they define themselves.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 23, 2018
I can't emphasize how little Musk's dumb website would define me, but whatever.
As we've said before, his understanding of journalism is on par with Donald Trump, and he's pouting about critical reporting of his currently-struggling company, despite being very aware of how crucial media coverage is to his company.
How crucial? From the company's latest annual report:
Tesla's most recent annual report: pic.twitter.com/1HlANEmPWw
— Tim Higgins (@timkhiggins) May 23, 2018
Jeez, a curious reader might consider, maybe he enjoys baiting reporters like this? Anyone with access to a computer could find reams of stories showering Tesla with praise, from the very publications he lambasts, too. That doesn't benefit his narrative, but a stupid website where the public could weigh in on the credibility of reporters would.
Whatever the case, he's earning praise from very reliable and credible fans as a result:
Whether or not he's going to make it, though, who knows. I asked Tesla for comment and haven't heard back yet. But for what it's worth, intrepid Economist reporter Mark Harris realized an agent for Musk registered Pravda last year in California:
Er, he's not kidding folks. I noticed that one of Musk's agents had incorporated Pravda Corp in California back in October last year. I was wondering what it was all about... https://t.co/y8xGGzwb3M pic.twitter.com/rTazUDUFMb
— Mark Harris 🇺🇦 (@meharris) May 23, 2018
I'm tired.