Over the years, Tesla has made part of his reputation on hosting Big, Bold events to generate authentic promotion for the upcoming release. Robotaxi launch in Austin, TexasLast week was not one of them.

The coverage of the rollout was dominated by Tesla affected and a close-bearer of Elon Musk Superfan, many of whom are openly supporters of CEO’s vision. Journalists and tech bloggers who could have been more critical of technology were not only excluded, but also actively ridiculed and mocked by Tesla’s fans and some of his followers for an attempt to ask basic questions about service. In Austin and online, Tesla’s fans were taking a Q from Kasturi, who spent years, increasing the culture of resentment towards important media.

One of the more prominent influencers, which goes by Zack on X, claimed that it was Contacted several times by a Reuters journalistWhich he immediately ignored. The post, which has more than 2,000 likes, received supportive reactions from other users – one wrote that publication and other heritage media outlets “could be f F.” Another Said that they will unfollow any account This responded to just media members.

“The best reaction will be [be] To add a precondition and asked them to go to the camera blanket, apologizing for all lies and smears against Elon and Tesla, “Account Tesla Insights wrote“He will close them, and will think them!”

That general spirit covered the launch most actively in parts of X and YouTube. Kim Java, 258,000 youtube affects a Tesla with customers, Posted a comment Saying that he was approached by several major media outlets to speak about his experience, but he was rejected to “control” [her] Your story. ,

The phrase “We are now media hai” are repeatedly visible in answers related to post and robotaxi launch. This so -called alternative media is now gaining access to a very closed door, criticizing many of them involving publications.

Final results of that unfavorable dynamic, experts explain RuckusThere is a rollout that looks low like a transparent tech demo and is more like a beta test – a livestrimation is enhanced by the affected people voluntarily promote Tesla’s marketing material. Most of the coverage of muscles owned to the X and YouTube owned within small Eco Chambers, where the receptive audience has already made up its mind about the importance of robotaxi. Professor of Boston University and Meme wars Writer Jone Donovan says that this week the rollout has been an example of a textbook that she calls “corporate publicity”.

“The big push around the robotaxis is clearly rebuilding Tesla’s reputation,” says Donovan. “This is a bit of an eco chamber effect.”

Author of Ed Needer Ludikrus: Uncontrolled Story of Tesla MotorsWho filmed a robotaxi Hard braking in the middle of the road while passing police cruiserThe feeling echoes and compares the affected to the “Greek chorus” that is working collectively to increase the perception of robotaxi. Some of the popular Reddit Forums in that story building were running on R/Selfdrivingcars. a user Posting at the end of last week The platform has been “flooded with Tesla epologer promotion and disintegration” after the robotaxi launch. Niedermeyer claims that he had earlier seen a Tesla employee modeling the R/Tesla Forum.

“They know what his job is and Tesla knows how to use him,” Nideveer said that RuckusDonovan and Nideveer are an outspoken critic of Tesla. Both played active roles Tesla techdown Earlier this year, protests took place across the country. Needless to say, they are not in the “Superfan” club.

Tesla did not respond to our request for comments. Ruckus The above cited up to many of the affected people, but have not heard back.

This week’s bizarre, influential robotaxi phenomenon is the culmination of one year development by Tesla, which sidelines his favorite media with subtlety bypassing traditional journalism outlets together. Tesla has a long and bitter history of opposition with the press. Company Anoopically dissolved your PR team back in 2020 And since then it has created a point of dodging the questions of journalists about their products and tech stacks. Since acquiring Twitter in 2022, Elon Musk has carried forward the playground from time to time restrict Criticizes him and his companies.

At the same time, Tesla has created a loyal fan base, which Donovan has compared to early Apple enthusiasts – media critics are eager to exclude critics as musk and company. First, most of that support was biological. The company attracted a dedicated a dedicated after technologists, clean energy advocates and entrepreneurs, who were ready to desire to take large swings on difficult problems.

But in the form of niseermeyer notes, some of that enthusiasm have closed in recent years, due to part of a series of weak demo – the lack of last year has been closed.We robot“The event, which created new doubts about the company’s ability to fulfill its most ambitious promises around autonomy. People who are strongly loyal and often openly aligned with Tesla’s success.

It has allowances to promote the image of online Tesla. Many people in the community share individuals Referral CodeWhich can be redeemed for awards from some additional supercharger miles to a rebate on a new car purchase. (Some Tesla owners It is alleged that he has been suddenly removed from the program After posting the company’s content important.)

In the online rank of Tesla, loyal supporters can also have access to exclusive events, as it seems that there was a case with robotaxy launch. Those who stock in the company, say Needarmaire, Tesla has even more direct encouragement to ensure that it is seen in a favorable light.

“Product is so dope that does not require a PR department,” said YouTube manufacturer and Tesla fan Galileo Russell Interview with CNN business“I joined Tesla to ensure that the company was successful.”

Operating in an Eco Chamber can only work for so long. After all, if the vision of millions of autonomous tesususes zoomed through the city roads is to be felt, the company will have to open its doors to the wider public – including its inhibitors. This is a risk exposing the mistakes of the company, which are also affected There is already trouble in pushing aside,

“They know what their job is,” NiadeMare says, “and Tesla knows how to use them.”