A #FSDBeta thread: Executive Summary - 1) I have been an @Tesla FSD skeptic for many years, largely unimpressed by Autopilot/FSD's claims versus its abilities. This beta appears to be a marked improvement and far more inline with those claims than previous iterations. 2) Safety..

is paramount and should not be overlooked. Within the context of Tesla's approach to FSD objectives it appears they HAVE taken steps to ensure owner safety of those in the beta program. 3) Most of what I've seen from $tslaq so far around this matter appears to be

focusing on the 5% POTENTIAL risk instead of the 95% upside. Let me explain. Before FSD Beta, critics said it's misleading, dangerous, and deadly. This perspective puts the blame 100% on Tesla. It completely ignores any owner responsibility for any accidents AND the driver's...

requirement to OPT IN to these features. As best as I can tell, without out looking at logs, the majority if not all incidents involving Autopilot/FSD are due to gross negligence on the driver's part. This includes both ignoring the recommended safety warnings when turning...

on the features and while actually driving with features turned on. Furthermore, what critics overlook is the lack of safety drivers of non-Teslas engage in every single day by excessive speeding, holding a phone to their ear, texting while in Drive, and falling asleep at the...

wheel. Distracted driving is not a Tesla-only specific problem. According to Tesla, engaging FSD features is safer. Even if Tesla's data is not reliable, active safety features are better than none at all. As for whether owners should be the ones testing FSD Beta, it comes...

back to WHO is testing. I know most of who is testing on a personal basis. They are highly engaged owners who have already been through a vetted internal process long before FSD Beta launching. As for the "professional drivers" versus owners testing beta software, I see both...

arguments. However, as someone who has clocked in more than 225K miles (362K km) on my Model S, I would wager I know how my Tesla responds in my geo area way better as I am the one behind the wheel every day. I know every nuance, pause, rattle, software...

reboot. I know how the car handles around corners, when it starts to lose traction, and what weather scenarios are not ideal for its capabilities. Tesla hand selecting owners for their beta program has allowed them to stack the deck for the highest probability of success and...

lowest probability of an accident. They can look at the logs of every considered owner and tell whether it is someone high risk before admitting them. It appears they are iterating the Beta software in near real time with updates, too. Let's not forget, just because it is a..

Tesla employee or professional driver testing the software does not eliminate the risk of an accident. Bottom line: As long as Tesla is not violating any state or federal laws AND utilizing extreme caution with who participates in the program, I think they should continue...

pursuing the 95% upside of FSD despite the 5% potential risk involved. If Tesla can accomplish their autonomy aspirations, it will make the roads safer for everyone. After all, we all assume risk when we get behind the wheel of ANY automobile. Yet somehow we determine that

the upside outweighs the risk for a multitude of reasons. I leave you with a quote that is apropos for this topic: "It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness."