Lauren,

I am not at odds with many of your points. And don’t know enough about the substantive thread of your piece, but I have an issue with how we react to tweets generally. I have two thoughts:

1) we have got to put tweets into universal context. We cannot hold a quick tweet response to the same high standard as a comment made under oath; or as part of a considered lengthy response. Without a full disclosure of the backstory to any tweet – it can’t be taken so seriously, as to ‘rubbish’ a person for life. Think about it, the answers in your exact point. It’s only 9 words – yet in your summation, this sort of sums up the life’s work of an interesting and very successful serial entrepreneur. And yes, I did see that you go on to suggest other sources of proof, but it’s simply not conclusive; and

2) Can it be realistic to assume Bolivia’s issues are as a pure result of Musk’s lithium requirements. Lithium is the sole cause of the issues besetting that country? I doubt it. Following on from that, if a supermarket offers you a hugely discounted offer on Ben & Jerry ice cream, because freezers are broken, and you need the ice cream … do you say no because you are taking advantage of the companies unfortunate circumstance, or do you take all you can get? Lithium is a commodity like ice cream – if Musk can procure it cheaply, as a company, isn’t that what he should do? And if not him, surely someone else will obtain it.

Bolivia has been plagued by instability, corruption and issues long before Musk needed lithium.

Just a view. Thank you

B