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why we write about Tesla crashes

jalopnik.com

1–10 of 20 posts

Re: why we write about Tesla crashes

#2
"And if, for some reason, this sort of coverage hurts you, offends you, makes you angry and bitter and affronted, then maybe take a moment to close your eyes, really feel the hurt, and then try to determine why focused reporting on an important innovation made by an important company is something you feel personally."

Because it is still safer than the cars without it, and by casting it as awful, Jalopnik is killing people.

I don't even drive, I just ended up processing data on "road deaths"

Re: why we write about Tesla crashes

#3
The interest in these crashes is because technically, it's AI that has killed these people. That is fascinating in of itself. Are there any other automakers that have deaths from a similar cause to autopilot?

I'd be interested in quality data about the fatal crashes. I know Tesla states that the death rate is lower than with human drivers. But I've also heard that they use deaths per mile globally to compare and that may not be comparable. Is there any federal requirement for companies to report total autonomous miles driven?

Re: why we write about Tesla crashes

#4

The interest in these crashes is because technically, it's AI that has killed these people. That is fascinating in of itself. Are there any other automakers that have deaths from a similar cause to autopilot? I'd be interested in quality data about the fatal crashes. I know Tesla states that the death rate is lower than with human drivers. But I've also heard that they use deaths per mile globally to compare and that…

Almost all the autonomous miles are on sunny days driven on the same circuit hour after hour. So the same mile driven millions of times, and even then they crash.

Source: lived along one of the Mountain View circuits, would see 3 autonomous vehicles from the same company in a row doing their "miles" with no other traffic. Even if they crashed into each other, it would be from the same company, so why report it?

Re: why we write about Tesla crashes

#7
post #2

"And if, for some reason, this sort of coverage hurts you, offends you, makes you angry and bitter and affronted, then maybe take a moment to close your eyes, really feel the hurt, and then try to determine why focused reporting on an important innovation made by an important company is something you feel personally." Because it is still safer than the cars without it, and by casting it as awful, Jalopnik is killing…

There is no data published to fully back up the claim that autopilot is safer than humans. The problem on the surface is:

Autopilot is used mainly on limited access roads but safety is compared to all roads.

A Tesla is an expensive, new car and is compared to all cars of all ages and maintenance.

The drivers of above cars are also skewed statistically versus all drivers.

It's disappointing that the same people quick to claim to "follow the data" or "follow the science" are so comfortable doing nothing of the sort and simply trusting Tesla -- who obviously can't be objective here.

Re: why we write about Tesla crashes

#8
post #5

The real answer is one word: clicks.

no. I feel like I should justify that with some arguments, but they're all there in the article that you didn't read. that's your cue to tell me that you actually did read it and that I'm only commenting to get attention.

As per HN guidelines please do not post comments insinuating that the person you replied to has not read the article. It does not lead to fruitful discussion.

Re: why we write about Tesla crashes

#9
post #7
post #2

"And if, for some reason, this sort of coverage hurts you, offends you, makes you angry and bitter and affronted, then maybe take a moment to close your eyes, really feel the hurt, and then try to determine why focused reporting on an important innovation made by an important company is something you feel personally." Because it is still safer than the cars without it, and by casting it as awful, Jalopnik is killing…

There is no data published to fully back up the claim that autopilot is safer than humans. The problem on the surface is: Autopilot is used mainly on limited access roads but safety is compared to all roads. A Tesla is an expensive, new car and is compared to all cars of all ages and maintenance. The drivers of above cars are also skewed statistically versus all drivers. It's disappointing that the same people quick…

Tesla publishes data about their own cars with autopilot engaged vs. disengaged. This should get rid of a lot of the variables that you cited.

Re: why we write about Tesla crashes

#10
I think the tesla wrecks are newsworthy, new technology is involved, and should be talked about (as they mention).

What I find the media does not make any effort to do is is to communicate the level of risk.

It may be an unintentional bias, but it really is there.

I think they try harder when it's something like the J&J vaccine risk vs the risk of getting covid.

I'm uncertain what the high road looks like.

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