Writer seeking input from Cybertruck owners

[CYB3RQ]

I'm down to help however needed, please feel free to DM and we can connect over phone or email

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[mcm4ss]

sure. what the hell.

 

[Fugue]

Still unwilling to provide links to previous articles you've published, eh?

This is telling. If the writer was acting in good faith, he wouldn't hide behind anonymity.

 

[CMK]

Another follow-up, for the people saying to "separate the art from the artist," so to speak: it does make a certain amount of sense to say, "if I subjected all my consumer choices to a purity test, I'd never be able to buy anything." But if that's true, and if it's "normal" to just ignore larger context/ CEO views when making consumer decisions, why are so many people, including here, so defensive about their Tesla or Cybertruck purchases?

Sounds like you answered your own question here Bob:

As I've been researching this piece, I've realized I actually DON'T want to write another Cybertruck takedown, because those already exist in spades. So, it's boring for me as a writer, and presumably for readers, too.

I am curious what search terms you used to find the 'Cybertruck Disappointment' video you linked as well. Here is the channel of a guy who has two Cybertrucks in his HVAC company fleet and has very positive things to say about them, including videos of going to job sites with them: https://www.youtube.com/@SoaringVideos

 

[ag1aia]

Thank you CMK for the link.

 

[carsly]

Thanks so much to everyone who responded so far. I know it's hard to judge tone online, but please know I'm sincere when I say I appreciate people's honest takes, including people who are mad I'd even be writing about the cultural angle in the first place. As I've been researching this piece, I've realized I actually DON'T want to write another Cybertruck takedown, because those already exist in spades. So, it's boring for me as a writer, and presumably for readers, too.

This is the rationale for looking for owner input: I'm genuinely curious about people's motivations in owning it, and not just looking for "gotcha" quotes (again, boring). It looks like a lot of people love the functionality of the truck, although I've yet to hear from someone who says, "Yes, I use it daily in my construction/ contracting/ etc. business to haul, transport, etc etc." Maybe that person is out there, and if so I'd love to hear from them! I did find at least one guy out there who says he's a contractor and is disappointed in the CT as a work vehicle:

One follow-up to the people who say they love the truck's functionality: what, if anything, makes you different as a Cybertruck/ Tesla enthusiast vs. say, a general EV enthusiast or, on the other end of the spectrum perhaps, a Lamborghini/ Maserati/ Ferrari (fancy racing-type car) enthusiast?

Another follow-up, for the people saying to "separate the art from the artist," so to speak: it does make a certain amount of sense to say, "if I subjected all my consumer choices to a purity test, I'd never be able to buy anything." But if that's true, and if it's "normal" to just ignore larger context/ CEO views when making consumer decisions, why are so many people, including here, so defensive about their Tesla or Cybertruck purchases?

There have been reports of people replacing or disguising their Tesla decals, plus all the photos online of "I bought this before Elon went crazy" stickers. Lots of "die journo scum" type comments here, which I assume come from being tired of seeing one's neutral-feeling consumer choices interpreted as support of "pure evil." But all that being the case, do we think people in other enthusiast communities, car-related or not, would be similarly mad at the types of questions I've been asking here, or is there something special about the CT, or our political moment, or whatever, that brings it out?

As for writing about a car when I'm not a "car guy": I think that's actually why my editors assigned me this piece—like it or not, the Cybertruck has become politicized, and as such it's fair game for anyone interested in American culture today. It's the same way that, to write about the COVID vaccine, I should ideally have a working knowledge of the medical side of things, but it's also so politicized that an article about how and why people think about it/ perceive it in certain ways could be interesting all on its own.

Anyway, thank you all, and thanks for reading this post (which ended up being longer than I intended). Looking forward to more of your comments!

Thanks for sharing links to your other pieces!

Oh wait, you keep willfully ignoring that very reasonable request, don't you? What are YOU avoiding?

No magic here, there is no politicization of Tesla or the Cybertruck. The controversy is a fabricated construct perpetuated by click-driven media who make a living stoking fear, anger and anxiety. 99+% of my interactions with people have been overwhelming positive in the real world. The only hate and anger are in your mind. Now that's an interesting article, why has the media been attacking a certain company and CEO above all others? The one who's done the most to popularize EV's a time of climate crisis? The one who's built the only profitable car company in America in over a century? Seems to be an odd target.

 

[BeFamousVideo]

Perhaps you are willing to share recent articles you've written?
Another topic is how Cybertruck owners on a daily basis see sentry recordings of people who are taking pictures next to the truck, families, kids, groups of people. Or how people walk up in parking lots and want to know about the truck. Almost every owner has done tours of the truck to total strangers who were totally amazed by the features and technology.
Everyone on this forum knows the media writes hit pieces against the truck when they should be writing about the fact it is a technological wonder. I toured a contractor yesterday who told me before he saw the truck up close inside and out he didn't like it, now he loves it and might buy one.
Many people are more comfortable with a feminine designed vehicle. Obviously us CT owners like the masculine design. But we don't hold a grudge for the people who like the feminine curves of a vehicle.

 

[BeFamousVideo]

Yup, that's all you need to know, OP!

And if the word 'recall' is going to be in your article, be sure to note the 990,000 GM, 270,000 Ford, 90,000 VW, 150,000 Acura, etc, vehicles all recently recalled for context.

Yes, and don't forget about the "Park outside recall" that applies to over 3 million gas cars due to spontaneous fires according to NHTSA. https://tinyurl.com/25ywd22o
Maybe that won't fit the negative narrative that most people who write for clicks want to share.

 

[RoboTaxi]

I actually did do a test drive! Twice. It was a very odd experience. Again, I'm not a car expert by any stretch of the imagination, so all the technical stuff is beyond me. It just seems like a super controversial car to own, especially right now, so I'm super curious about what makes people buy and keep them. Thank you all so much for your responses, this is a really interesting discussion.

I’ll ask again. Why is it controversial for some people? It’s sad to have grown adults acting like children. I drove 2 hours today and got flipped off once, thumbs down and a lady laughing and pointing. Seeing this makes me feel sorry for those poor souls, the TV has rotted their brain. So odd to have people attempt to make me feel bad. What if the tables were turned and I started mocking people that choose different radical lifestyles then me. I couldn’t fathom being so vile.

Please report back with the Something other then orange man bad or Musk is a nazi. Have a good day ?

 

[Tesla Pilot]

Would love a specific example if you can think of one, or just thoughts about the parts of the articles you're thinking of are lies.

You can literally Google the negative articles that we are referring to on this forum. None of them carry any weight when it comes to being truthful, so with all due respect, that's the kind of research you need to do yourself before coming to this forum and requesting our assistance.

 

[Chasesmithrel]

Hi everyone, any current or former Cybertruck owners out there willing to talk to me, a writer working on an article about the cultural impact of the vehicle? On background or anonymous is fine, if you prefer. Please let me know, and thank you!

The best advice I can give you is to rent one for a week and see what you think. I think you'll be surprised how much you like it and how much good feedback you get from people in person.

 

[CyberGus]

The reason a lot of us get so defensive is because we are constantly attacked and ridiculed online.

Not just online, but in person, to the point that some have started to fear for the safety of their person or property. There have only been a few such incidents, but it's enough to put everyone on edge.

But yeah, pick any story/video/post about the Cybertruck, and just read the comments; they mostly parrot the FUD and misinformation that has been propagated online. It's so vile that I've stopped even trying to engage, instead putting my energies into this community.

 

[ag1aia]

Question for everyone mentioning misinformation and lies about the CT in the media: are you talking about factual misrepresentations, e.g. incorrect information about gas mileage, FSD, or other features of the vehicle? Or is it other stuff? What kinds of things have you found are routinely written about Cybertrucks and/ or their owners that you would characterize as "misinformation"?

I have read many of these takedowns, both in journalistic outlets and on fora like r/Cyberstuck, but since I'm not a Cybertruck owner myself and so have no "skin in the game," don't know how they land with those of you who bought and drive the car.

 

[DrPhyzx]

You know, they were explicit in what they are writing about: cultural impact of the truck. You can rest assured that that part is already written. As far as the perspective of owners …

I’m pretty sure you’re giving them exactly what they want. All of these reactions are being noted and probably are going right into the article:

“hostile, rude, juvenile, vulgar, etc. and so forth. Looks like CT owners are everything we say they are … .”

If you don’t want to engage, you can just not engage. Silence was an option.

Spot on. Given the responses, what would you expect this guy to write? Similarly, believing that the truck isn't controversial seems incredibly ignorant of the zeitgeist.

When did people lose the ability to see anyone else's perspective?

 

[KRTRW]

Hi everyone, any current or former Cybertruck owners out there willing to talk to me, a writer working on an article about the cultural impact of the vehicle? On background or anonymous is fine, if you prefer. Please let me know, and thank you!

I'm available to answer questions. I have a dual motor, Foundation series with 17,600 miles. Best overall truck I have ever owned Also the most expensive :-(. Do you have an email to contact?

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