Elon Musk recently fell from grace in the public eye. After years of overpromising, underdelivering, and mildly questionable behavior, he finally crossed the line by supporting Donald Trump. This was the final straw for many, who had previously enjoyed his products. Tesla owners, who predominantly live in large urban cities which lean left, were particularily vocal.
I understand the sentiment. For years, cars have been raised to a status symbol, a way to show off ones wealth and taste. Teslas, in particular, have been marketed and styled as a luxury vehicle. But now, to these owners, the car is branded by politics, its image soured by the actions of one man. They feel betrayed by the company, and rightfully so.
However, this stance becomes much more complicated. While Tesla owners are stuck with shame, Musk’s sin also angered a much more active group. Attacks on Teslas and Cybertrucks rise in number, with vandalisms and arson leaving many vehicles damaged or destroyed.
Now, what should a person do? A right-leaning Tesla owner is forced to place the same bumper sticker on their car. To some vandals, it won’t make a difference, but any chance to avoid tens of thousands of dollars in damage is worth it. But to this person, on this car, the sticker is a lie. A hedge against the mob, not a sincere statement.
There are many more such examples. People who follow the latest trends, posting about issues they don’t understand or care about, simply to fit in. This is virtue signaling. I’ve talked to so many people who “support the current thing,” but drop it the moment it fades from the current news cycle. It’s clear they don’t really care about the issue, which is fine. But showing support for something you don’t care about cheapens the issue for those who do.
Media pressures us to care about so many global issues, from Russia v. Ukraine to Israel v. Palestine, to the latest celebrity scandal. Most of these issues are complex, nuanced, and won’t ever affect you. Yet there are so many people who let themselves be swept up and consumed by the latest outrage, ignoring the bills and laws that do directly affect them. The things that should matter are just a blip on the radar, completely overshadowed by the phenomenon of the day. It is with this tactic that great evils are committed, and the masses are kept docile.
At the end of the day, Tesla owners have already supported Musk and his companies - and nothing can change that. You are complicit, directly or indirectly, for every crime committed by every country or company you’ve ever supported. Feel shame if you must, but there’s no use in selling your car or vandalizing others’. Me, I simply don’t care. Sometimes, a product is just a product, and life is a lot easier when you don’t let your possessions define you.