Some Are Lying about Resurrecting Jobs from the Dinosaur Economy, Others Are Creating the Future
Here’s a press release a friend sent me, along with my comments:
CHARLOTTE, NC» Electric car maker Tesla Inc. is fostering community college training programs for what could be new blue-collar jobs as mechanics for the growing number of battery-powered vehicles.
A first group of Tesla technicians is set to graduate next week from a 12-week training program at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte. The company said a second group is nearing the end of classes at Rio Hondo College in Whittier. Courses focus on skills specific to electric vehicles such as battery architecture and charging technology, and particularly servicing Tesla vehicles. A spokeswoman said Monday the Palo Alto-based company pays for the instructor, curriculum, and classroom or workshop equipment among other costs.
This really is fabulous, though it reiterates out what most of us already knew about the trajectory of America’s job market, i.e., we have two choices:
1) We can accept the lie about how we’re resurrecting jobs from the dinosaur economy that is rapidly creating disease and ruining our environment, while the U.S. becomes increasingly irrelevant in cleantech, the defining industry of the 21st Century, or
2) We can simply create a healthy and viable future.
As always, Musk doesn’t have time to argue about this; he isn’t part of a “debate,” he’s creating our tomorrow.
Craig,
Good grief, why do you turn even good, positive news, into a politically charged combative attack ?
As a shareholder, owner of Tesla products and very early investor in EV technology, I’m naturally delighted and supportive of anyone helping to develop supporting infrastructure, technology and skills to further the EV industry.
But it’s not a ‘winner take all” bitter moral crusade ! It’s very important to keep existing reliable infrastructure technology viable and improving, in order to maintain a prosperous economy able to afford the development of newer, alternate technology.
There is no “lie” !No fantasy utopian dreamland, only prevented by sinister forces coordinated by President Trump !
There are no “two choices” ! It’s not either/ or, just simply continuing to develop existing technology to the beat of its potential, while newer and cleaner technology becomes commercially available.
Electric vehicles are still motor vehicles. They may have a different power plant, but in all other respects EV’s share common mechanics. Modern motor vehicles haven’t been serviced by old fashioned “blue collar ” mechanics (grease monkeys) for at least 30 years !
Today’s “mechanics” are highly trained, well qualified, “technicians” with a sophisticated knowledge of computerized automotive electronics.
When it comes to “blue collar” employment, like most elite leftists, you seem to lack any knowledge (or respect) for their skills. This probably explains why the US working class has abandoned the Democrat Party in vast numbers, preferring a guy who actually speaks the same language and takes the time to understand (and respect)their aspirations.
Recently, I employed two older automotive mechanics (actually set them up as self-employed specialists). These gentlemen possess a life time of skills made redundant by the closure of the Australian Motor industry.
Over the last few months these gentlemen quickly picked up the theory and practical skills needed to service EV’s and similar machinery.
Craig, I keep repeating, it’s not a “war” or a “crusade” ! When you confuse clean tech with alarmist politics, you just make progress harder.
I have a friend who is a life long collector and enthusiast of Porsche cars. For several years he became very negative on environmental issues as he felt (and quite rightly) the more extreme “green” activists delighted in threatening the things he loved and valued.
I hope over the years, I’ve proved by my own example no such threat exists. It’s quite possible to be an environmentalist and still share a love of older technologies and values. Once the threat (and politics) are removed, introducing new clean(er) technology becomes simple, inclusive and non-threatening.