>> why does that relevant to a discussion on plans to go to mars?
>It is not relevant to the idea of going to mars. But it is relevant when considering the credibility of the person who is proposing this idea.
The idea either holds weight or does not.
If there were evidence of Musk, for example, raising money for a hyperloop and then stealing all of it I would say - "don't give this man money, for he will steal it all!" - but I still would not have discussed plans of going to mars.
> I am not upset about anything.
Upset was perhaps a poor choice; what I mean is, what is it about the hyperloop that brings you to raise it as a point so many times. It seems as though you feel something shady or untoward has been done, and I am wondering what that is.
> If Elon Musk thought the idea could work, why would not he pursue it himself, or if he is too busy, why not at least fund a prototype (you don't seriously consider the "student competition" to be in the same league, right?) Do you have a straight answer to this question?
First, why would you even think I should have an answer to this question?
I can think of a few reasons why Musk hasn't done what you think he should have, even though I am unsure what exactly you think he should have done, but in any case I don't know his mind and as such cannot explain his (in)actions.
In any case let's list a couple of arguments
- People can have ideas, even really good ones, and simply tell them to the world and do no more. It would be a poorer world were this not the case.
- Musk might not have the ability to fund it himself, and that is fine.
- He may believe the best way to get the hyperloop into existence is through other companies pursuing it (which is already happening)
- He may believe that the main thing holding back the industry is technical workers, in which case a student competition is well placed to produce more of them.
- He may believe that the main thing holding back the hyperloop is building above ground tunnels with the logistical issues that holds. He is attempting to reduce the cost of building below ground tunnels.
So honestly, what are you trying to argue here? Is it that you can't judge an idea without also judging the actions of anyone associated with that idea? Is it that you can't tell people about an idea without also acting on that idea yourself? Is it that you don't like Musk and you don't want anyone else to like hime either, or perhaps that you don't like the fanboys and wish they would shut up? Maybe it's something else, but in any case I still don't see the relevance to mars.
No, just an admirer. Those are facts. And I generally cast a skeptical eye. But he's got the ambition and that rare combo of design-engineering creativity to see how an impossible task can be achieved by rearranging existing technologies in new combinations. It's a rare combination of skill and art.
It also helps when you have investments in cigarette companies, because why not? When there are advertisements sent out by the very companies themselves to avoid their product, and people still do it? There must be something to it! And money to be made!
But in all seriousness, everyone chooses their poison which comforts them, whether it be alcohol, prescription drugs, cigarettes, food, television, etc. This is the beauty of free will and choice. No matter what the research says, people will still do it. I've work in a hospital before and saw plenty of patients with lung cancer who passed away right before my eyes. Once the scene was cleared and cleaned up, the nurses and doctors would go right outside and smoke cigarettes. They know the possibility is there, yet make the choice to continue doing self-harm.
>It is not relevant to the idea of going to mars. But it is relevant when considering the credibility of the person who is proposing this idea.
The idea either holds weight or does not.
If there were evidence of Musk, for example, raising money for a hyperloop and then stealing all of it I would say - "don't give this man money, for he will steal it all!" - but I still would not have discussed plans of going to mars.
> I am not upset about anything.
Upset was perhaps a poor choice; what I mean is, what is it about the hyperloop that brings you to raise it as a point so many times. It seems as though you feel something shady or untoward has been done, and I am wondering what that is.
> If Elon Musk thought the idea could work, why would not he pursue it himself, or if he is too busy, why not at least fund a prototype (you don't seriously consider the "student competition" to be in the same league, right?) Do you have a straight answer to this question?
First, why would you even think I should have an answer to this question?
I can think of a few reasons why Musk hasn't done what you think he should have, even though I am unsure what exactly you think he should have done, but in any case I don't know his mind and as such cannot explain his (in)actions.
In any case let's list a couple of arguments
- People can have ideas, even really good ones, and simply tell them to the world and do no more. It would be a poorer world were this not the case.
- Musk might not have the ability to fund it himself, and that is fine.
- He may believe the best way to get the hyperloop into existence is through other companies pursuing it (which is already happening)
- He may believe that the main thing holding back the industry is technical workers, in which case a student competition is well placed to produce more of them.
- He may believe that the main thing holding back the hyperloop is building above ground tunnels with the logistical issues that holds. He is attempting to reduce the cost of building below ground tunnels.
So honestly, what are you trying to argue here? Is it that you can't judge an idea without also judging the actions of anyone associated with that idea? Is it that you can't tell people about an idea without also acting on that idea yourself? Is it that you don't like Musk and you don't want anyone else to like hime either, or perhaps that you don't like the fanboys and wish they would shut up? Maybe it's something else, but in any case I still don't see the relevance to mars.