> Spacex, on the other hand, is way ahead of any of its competitors in the invention and building of real world things […]

Like going to Mars? Like xAI and Grok?

Perhaps if SpaceX actually focused on "invention and building of real world things" your point would be stronger? I mean: why exactly did SpaceX purchase xAI?

* https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq6vnrye06po

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NetMageSCW a day ago | parent [-]

Like building and flying the most reliable rocket in history while launching more frequently than any other rocket in history. They make an F9 second stage every couple of days.

	▲	throw0101c 20 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		And what does flying reliable rockets have to do with xAI, Grok, and creating child porn? * https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/03/elon-musks-xai-s... * https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgk2lzmm22eo Why would a rocket company want to acquire a company under CSAM investigation? Why would a aerospace investor wish to own such a product/service? * https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-c... Perhaps if Musk/SpaceX actually focused on the (alleged) purpose of the company your point would be stronger. Further, to channel Warren Buffett, what moat does SpaceX have to prevent competitors for doing the same thing? (A sibling comment mentions China catching up.)
	▲	Smoosh a day ago \| parent \| prev \| next [-]
		F9 is their Model 3/Y. Starship is their Cybertruck.
	▲	toomuchtodo a day ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		They were ahead of nation states, but China has already closed the gap (wrt reusable vehicles). Musk squandered the first mover advantages of Tesla and SpaceX for individual power and wealth instead of the long term success of those enterprises. And so, it’s not unreasonable for folks to say Tesla and SpaceX were just tools for a grifter to become the wealthiest person in the world; that’s what he was optimizing for, based on the evidence. Musk cares about power, control, and himself, broadly speaking. Does it matter in the long run? Probably not. Musk will be like Gates with more wealth; speaking circuit while others build at scale (China is ~1/3 of global manufacturing capacity).