To ask if you own a Tesla…

[Orchidzombiewatch]

How do you feel about Elon Musks links with Trump and Putin and that you are supporting him with your car choice?

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/oct/25/elon-musk-has-been-in-regular-contact-with-putin-for-two-years-say-reports

If you feel strongly about it you withdraw your economic support, it's the power you have.
I'd probably not buy a tesla.

Tesla’s are mass market relatively cheap EVs, and I agree that there are few EVs that can compete with it at the price point. It’s the fleet car of choice - effectively the modern day rep mobile like the Mondeo. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But if price isn’t a key factor there are better EVs out there. There are plenty with better tech, better range, better quality and that are nicer to drive. The public charging network is better than the Tesla one for convenience, but worse for price.

I was an early adopter of Tesla and the Model S 10 years ago now. They don’t sell that in RHD anymore, and while I tried the 3 I got rid of it after 18 months or so and replaced it, first with a Polestar and now a BMW. While the product was the primary reason, the image of Tesla and Musk also played a part. I quit Twitter when he took that over, and have no regrets there either :)

The problem is, it is impossible to fact check now. It's a very serious problem. I don't know where I can go for true and unbiased information.

@Orchidzombiewatch

"Do you feel the same about other things? Eg blood diamonds? Do you ever think about your consumer choices or never?"

Blood diamonds are illegal. To be honest I am more concerned that 50% of all solar panels at homes or on 90% of large solar farms have been made with Muslim Uighur slave labour in concentration camps in China.

Musk supporting Trump or Farage pales in comparison I'm afraid.

Have I?

OP do you buy Nestlé?

I agree. I usually google search ‘fact check’ and then whatever it is. Then check out the first couple of sites to see who they are. But that’s all time consuming so mostly I stay away from SM and remain sceptical about everything I hear that sounds shocking. I’ll dig deeper if it’s important to me. It’s not perfect but it’s better than blind faith I guess. It is going to be impossible to get agreed standards globally so we are going to have to do our own research more and more. There are no truly independent news sources. Some have much higher standards of journalism than others and there are some fact checking organisations that are independent.

Nope. That’s one I do boycott. Except I did buy a particular nestle chocolate bar once to deliberately go against my values to show love and care to someone. I should be shot right! We are ALL hypocrites in one way or another and I’m not telling anyone what to do/not do. I was just curious about whether anyone feels cognitive dissonance and some do as it happens. Interesting to hear the different views.

The treatment of Uighur Muslims in China is abhorrent. I agree. We haven’t got solar panels but I’ll take this into account if we do. Thanks.

Pretty much all consumer choices are fraught with moral and ethical considerations if you look into it. It’s impossible, I think, to be perfect in this way.

I do my best but I can do better and that’s a constantly occurring theme. There are times when I make quick decisions because I’m tired, stressed, busy or it’s just simply more convenient and there are times I work harder at it. It’s a direction of travel I’m on but it’s a winding and bumpy road and I’m not always great at steering.

I’ve still
got an old model S that’s free to charge - so I can’t discount cost - at only £15k nowadays with the safety and tech in them I don’t think you can beat it. Still does 220 miles!