TWITTER Slowing the “Energizer Bunny”?

Is TWITTER slowing Tesla, the “Energizer Bunny”? Every generation has its idols and ideas. Past looked to form and function with threatening power and speed. Mach 1, Shelby Cobra, Challenger, Barracuda….

Present appeal to electricity power traces its genesis to Nikola Tesla, inventor and electrical engineer. The company name, Tesla Motors, appears as a testament to his brilliance as its two founders, Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, may attest to.

Twitter bid or buyout has reportedly concerned Tesla employees and investors. Some find this new acquisition will slow the company down. Until the numbers are in the dark red, let’s look at this in black and white.

As Auditors say, “The numbers don’t lie.” Let’s put Tesla Motors’ into context.

Here’s the reported market cap estimate for these companies:

Tesla                1.03     Trillion

TWITTER         37.36   Billion                         

Four top oil/gas companies:

ExxonMobile   360      Billion

Shell                214      Billion 

Chevron           316      Billion                                     

BP                    100      Billion

Total                 990      Billion 

Tesla appears to be worth more than these four oil/gas companies combined. But Tesla was not always so energized. Back in 2003 the two founders of Tesla Motors, Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning reportedly needed “seed money.”

Opportunity knocked. Elon was at their door with $. Thanks PayPal. It’s a shame Founders weren’t approved by the Department of Energy to receive loans.

No problem for the “golden boy.” Elon reportedly got about half a billion in loans from the DOE.

But don’t overlook his private company, SpaceX. Including its internet service “provider” Starlink reportedly assessed in raking in billions a year.  

How much did it set Elon back? Not much it seems. “The Federal Communications Commission awarded Elon Musk’s SpaceX with nearly $900 million worth of federal subsidies to support rural broadband customers through the company’s Starlink satellite internet network…”

Unlike Blue Origin I’d venture to say SpaceX got more funding from the FCC and Defense, whose budget is $770 Billion. Elon’s gofunme is quite possibly the most successful fun account.

Amazon, good thing company’s reported market cap is @ 1.5 Trillion as Blue Origin aircrafts, after 20+ years have reportedly not landed as many contracts as SpaceX. Sure, the online market can absorb the loss but not the planet.

Pollution caused by overconsumption and consumerism is negatively affecting the same earth you reportedly wish to protect. Jeff, joke between lawyers, “What do you call an attorney at the bottom of the ocean? A good start.”  Jeff, what do you call the Amazonian Industrialist creating debris in orbital space? A bad toxic end.

If remedy for light pollution interest you, you will find my rocket, satellite and UCCA prototypes ideal.

Branding, Sucks or Sells

Where Japanese excel in precise engineering they sometimes fail in catchy marketing. Really, you had to go with your first choice, “Prius.” Chances are its multiple connotations of being the first or an original are known only to you. Sensei, few Americans speak Japanese let alone Latin.

But I remind you very little today is a first. It’s simply redesigned or reinvented. May be why Apple did not call its gadget the Priusphone.

Sure product names tend to verge towards their function. But in this case Japanese appeared to have favored form. Understanding American culture, if it sounds wussey chances are only pussies will want to buy it. Perception is reality.

Elon, speaking of what sells or sucks, marketing the Roadster prototype to sell the rest was brilliant. Yet, it’s a good thing you didn’t invent the electric car and call it a Musk. But as egos go and in accordance to your work, I foresee a cologne in your future. SpaceMusk!

TWITTER, Slowing the Energizer Bunny? Nah. Tesla seems to be doing just fine getting funding and selling itself. But my green friends and Congress E car Cheerleaders, you were wrong to think, “If you build it, they will buy it” no matter the price.

Elon, all jokes aside, the present may be yours, but we remind you:

Let the future tell the truth and evaluate each one according to his work and accomplishments. The present is theirs; the future, for which I really worked, is mine. – Nikola Tesla