Attacking public figures who criticize them is so far removed from canceling the reservations of ordinary customers that I see no reasonable way to make the inference that you can "expect to be removed" if HN readers criticize them publicly.
So what you're saying is that the ONLY difference between Tesla acting right or wrong in that case is if we classify the victim as a "public figure" or not?
First off, they're not a public figure, they were privately buying a Tesla vehicle for private use and posted on a personal Twitter account.
Secondly, that's a really weak line. Why is there even one rule for mistreating "public figures" and another line for everyone else? Why do you assume someone with less social power will be treated better?
Honestly all you just did was admit that Tesla was in the wrong. Claiming they are allowed to act badly because "public figure something something" is nonsensical.
I'm not talking about right or wrong here, that's you. I'm just talking about the possibility that Tesla will cancel your reservation for being critical of the company, which you claim is high, and which I believe is essentially zero.
It's pretty obvious from the conversation here that you don't really care about Tesla canceling reservations, you just have an axe to grind, and saw the cancelled reservation as a wedge you could use to insert yourself into the conversation. You posted under the guise of warning people not to be critical in public, but you don't care about that, you just want to point out Tesla's bad behavior towards the New York Times and Top Gear.
Note: I'm not defending Tesla's behavior towards NYT and Top Gear. I just don't see any justification for your claim that it's "more likely" you'll lose your spot because of public criticism on Twitter, and that you should "expect to be removed" if you complain about delays.
> I'm not defending Tesla's behavior towards NYT and Top Gear. I just don't see any justification for your claim that it's "more likely" you'll lose your spot because of public criticism on Twitter, and that you should "expect to be removed" if you complain about delays.
I do. They have previously done exactly that. That's my only point, Tesla has a history of attacking critics including cancelling pre-orders.
My only "axe to grind" is for Tesla to stop attacking critics and to instead go after their argument. If Tesla disagrees with a negative review/experience, that's fine, but don't try to punish people for raising issues.
They don't have a history of cancelling pre-orders. They have a history of cancelling pre-order, singular.
I get your overall point, I just think you're going too far with it and being rather disingenuous when you warn people that their reservations will be cancelled if they complain.
