• Viper_NZ@lemmy.nz
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    1 year ago

    I started off with immense respect for Tesla succeeding in delivering a mainstream electric car, and SpaceX delivering on successful commercial space flight. Finally, I thought. A rich billionaire who might actually be doing good.

    Then the paedo cave thing happened. Ok. Guy can’t take criticism. That comment as uncalled for.

    Now? Holy shit. The guy is a full on racist, anti trans, misogynist, white supremacist, conspiracy peddling whack a doodle.

      • Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works
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        1 year ago

        I gave him the benefit of doubt because he fucking hated living in South Africa… apparently it had more to do with living with his dad, then the apartheid.

        • Echo Dot@feddit.uk
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          1 year ago

          I’m aware that there are nice people from South Africa, but every single South African I’ve ever met has been absolutely horrendous.

          I think they’ve all started to be racist within about half an hour of meeting them, which I don’t get because I didn’t even bring the topic up, they did. So they actually go out of their way to be racist when there isn’t anyone around them to trigger the behaviour. They do it like they’re just talking about the weather or making some other small talk.

          Even the Japanese are not that bad. Although they’re pretty awful too.

          • matter@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            I used to have a similar stereotype about (white) South Africans who I met in my country. However, after having spent some time there recently I can say that South Africans (of all ethnicities) are absolutely lovely people. I was really impressed with what an integrated and truly multicultural society they have less than thirty years after the end of apartheid. I realise there are still big problems but it left a big impact nonetheless.

            My hypothesis is that all the shittiest people left when apartheid was ending because they didn’t like black people having human rights, and fled to majority-white countries.

          • glasgitarrewelt@feddit.de
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            1 year ago

            And every south african I have ever met was as racist or not as racist as every other person I met in my country.

            If you met 10 racist south africans doesn’t mean all south africans are racist. This thought leads to… racism.

            Even the Japanese are not that bad. Although they’re pretty awful too.

            Maybe you meet that many racists because you are one yourself. But what do I know, I am german, we don’t have humor.

            • Echo Dot@feddit.uk
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              1 year ago

              Well to defend my honour a little. You know, because you called me a racist for no reason.

              I worked in a role where I went all over the world (mostly to South Africa though) and I was dealing with rich business owners and CEO, CFOs etc (all men too) and their various assistants. If I’d met on the street people maybe it would be difficult but the only other South Africans I met were retail staff and we didn’t get to talking much.

              Also it was way the hell more then 10 people. My company had to have an unofficial policy not only sending Caucasians because they were the only ones thes businesses they’s would deal with. It had nothing to do with their ability, it was just they couldn’t get the racists to deal with them.

              The same was true of the Japanese, but at least they were polite about it.

              I haven’t been back since COVID, but I can’t imagine it’s changed much.

              • glasgitarrewelt@feddit.de
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                1 year ago

                I am confused. Wouldn’t you call it racism when I say “All russians smell bad” or “All white people walk funny”? I thought I checked all the boxes with that: I ascribe (in a negative way) a fact to a group of people, who in fact, don’t all smell bad. So for me is saying “All south africans are racists” and “All Japanese people are too, but slightly better” in fact, racism.

                • Thief_of_Crows
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                  8 months ago

                  There is a difference between racism and generalizations. If you meet 20 South Africans, and 18 are racist, not taking that info into account is foolish. It becomes racism when you start saying the other 2 must also be racist. But it would not be racist to assume that a 21st person you meet will be racist unless shown otherwise.

      • Viper_NZ@lemmy.nz
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        1 year ago

        Well I try and give everyone the benefit of the doubt first. I just didn’t see it until he let loose on Twitter.

      • oce 🐆@jlai.lu
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        1 year ago

        Why is that xenophobic comment upvoted? I feel like Musk brings the worst of everyone.

        • Mr_Blott@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          You might think you’re making the world a better place by being offended by everything on everyone’s behalf, but you’re just making it more boring

          • oce 🐆@jlai.lu
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            1 year ago

            Replace South African with Black or Jewish, groups people here are more aware of here. How does it sound? If it sounds bad. Then maybe you shouldn’t apply it either to any other origin.
            If it doesn’t sound bad, then you are intolerant.
            So yes, I am happy to argue against such comments to make the world better.
            But I am optimistic, so I believe it’s just a lack of awareness.

            Am I boring because I should have known it is actually a joke? If so, would you make such jokes against Black people?