The establishment vs Uber

[Hammerskjold]

I didn't really indicate who should pay for the experimental land space.

Usually these days it requires a public / private partnership to get a big long tract of land because invariably you'll cross some wire, pipe, ditch, road, etc. plus, there are the lengthy environmental impact considerations, which are easier if you have local, and state authorities helping rather than hindering.

Ever went to a restaurant with two people, and they each act like the other was going to pay for the meal? Or at the very least, pay for their own share? But you, you don't have to worry about a single thing. You just enjoy the meal.

Then when the bill arrives, they both suddenly disappear, leaving you holding the check and not even a doggie bag? "I just gotta go to the bathroom real quick excuse me....Ooh a million apologies, I gotta take this phone call, emergency situation, be right back promise..."

I'm pretty blunt and possibly crass when it comes to wanting to know, who will be paying for this 'meal'. Because after a while, even the sweet talk of 'aw baby why you gotta be like this, didn't we have a nice night out together, who can put a price on that? And we helped that nice restaurant stay in business, 2big2fail, we're probably going to get free bread sticks next time we go there, again' starts to sour. Sour real quick.

http://opinion.financialpost.com/2013/05...r-payback/

When it comes to these types of big society decisions I'm more pragmatic. Was Hoover dam a good idea? Probably it was the right thing, at the right time.

Yep. And we are now in 2014. I'll just copy \ paste something I read (possibly in this very thread) that I found relevant. Concept wise regarding large scale things and projects at least.

Mainframe computer manufacturers didn't do anything wrong for their elite cadre of dedicated customers so to speak, they just failed to see the threat in a cheaper, poorer-quality product that initially reaches less profitable customers but eventually takes over and devours an entire industry.

Contemporary complex problems might require a big scale project, and medium scale, and small scale all working together. Balancing against the reality that public coffers, resources, and public trust is not a limitless quantity.

I don't really care if mr. Musk and his investors get rich, but it is important for the whole of society to figure out a few big problems we've made by going down the dead end road of fossil fuels. They are heating, electricity generation, and transportation. I'm concerned we're running out of time arguing, and not even to the dabbling phase.

I'm not as carefree nonchalant, 'look at all the shrugs I give' when it comes to any companies and lotsa monies. I'm not anti business, or anti profit. I do like to reserve the same amount of scrutiny for any business, the way you would for gov't over-reach, mishandlings and general shenanigans.

Free enterprise does not mean to me, free pass. After a certain amount of monies\power level, I tend to become very curious, and I want to ask a some simple question. The 'Five W's, and How' did that company get that amount of monies?

Tesla Motors did a huge thing image wise, which was IMO dispel the notion that E-Cars are all glorified golf carts. Musk puts a smart, charismatic face to a company, which compares favourably to the competition's arrogantly clueless, dinosaur brained execs.

A Tesla Roadster, is very cool and styling, and possibly even pro-filing. And I mean come on, Elon Musk. Total man crush, "he's the real life Tony Stark!"

I think Tesla is a cool guy. Eh puts his own monies on the line and doesn't afraid of anything.

Still doesn't stop my curiousity about how much the ZEV credit plays into their business model. Or my skepticism about the battery swap doohicky demo because that's not what I envisioned when I heard, quick charging system.

Or my cynicism about Tesla patent release, while it is disruptively awesome. I wonder if that's not a ninja smoke bomb move for Musk to exit from Tesla. And I'm still a bit disappointed and frustrated that their Model S, is still more in the luxury car price bracket. Not really an affordable sedan for the majority of people. Yeah it's cheaper than the Roadster model, but that's not saying much.


Let's just say I'm really not keen on going out to yet another promised fabulous dinner, where I don't need to worry about bringing my wallet. "Really, promise honest, why would I lie to you?"