I instantly became a fan of Tesla after I took my first test drive of the Model 3 in the spring of 2019. After experiencing how technologically advanced the car was and how much fun it was to drive no other vehicle even came close. Even though, at the time, purchasing a Model 3 felt like a far-off dream at that point I decided that, some day, I’d have a Model 3 as my daily driver.
Fast forward to March of 2022, sitting on the couch of our Airbnb in the high desert of Sedona, Arizona I very nervously clicked “purchase” on Tesla’s website and then had to patiently wait until August of that year to take delivery.
The last, nearly, three years have been trouble-free and mostly maintenance free. I’ve paid for a new 12v battery, windshield washer fluid, and a tire rotation. As an added bonus I’ve saved a significant amount of money in gasoline and regular maintenance costs associated with ICE vehicles.
Since becoming a Tesla owner (and investor) I’ve become keenly interested in what the company is up to–the short answer is a whole lot! There’s been so much innovation in the last three years that it’s been hard to keep up. Since I took delivery of my car Tesla has released a refreshed version of the Model 3, the CyberTruck, and also a refreshed version of the Model Y.
They’ve announced CyberCab, RoboVan, and the Optimus Robot.
All the while they’ve been rapidly improving their Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature to the point that many report it’s now becoming more capable than a human driver, and will soon surpass that benchmark.
What’s shocked me most over these three years isn’t the innovation itself, but how little positive attention Tesla receives. Mainstream media and the government often downplay or outright distorts the company’s achievements, leaving most people unaware of what Tesla is truly accomplishing—or what it stands for. For those of us paying attention, free from the fog of media bias, it’s painfully clear how often Tesla is overlooked by a government that should be hailing it as a triumph of American ingenuity.
Of course, Elon Musk’s recent political activity hasn't helped the situation. For roughly half the world, his actions have soured perceptions of Tesla, massively amplifying the cultural tendency to politicize everything. Coupled with a relentless media smear campaign against him, it’s like dumping jet fuel into the dumpster fire of disinformation.
Lately, though, something darker has emerged. I’m starting to feel uneasy driving my own car—not because of the Model 3 itself, which remains flawless, but because of the growing hostility from the public.
Tesla forums are buzzing with reports of vandalism: keyed cars, smashed charging stations, trashed showrooms. Cybertruck owners seem to bear the brunt of it—their angular, futuristic trucks triggering overactive middle fingers, hate, and outright destruction. I read the stories and many of the people who drive these cars have had to work unbelievably hard to get them. You’d never know it by what you hear in the media but the majority of Tesla owners aren’t wealthy influencers or entitled tech-bros, they’re regular working people.
I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: something feels deeply unsettling about the direction this country—and the world at large—is heading. As long as the powers that be can keep us arguing and fighting amongst ourselves they have an almost immeasurable amount of power to shape and color our perceptions of reality. The only ones who can rectify this are you and I.
For me, this amazing vehicle isn't some personal political statement, it's an incredible way to get from Point A to Point B. I know a large portion of people who drive these cars feel the same way.
In the meantime I’ll keep smiling and waving at those occasional one-finger salutes I get in traffic. With the way things are going, if that’s all that I experience I guess I’ll consider myself lucky.
I pray that we can pull ourselves out of this cultural tailspin. If not, all the innovation in the world won't save us.
Be well, make the most of this day. Thank you for reading!
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