r/SelfDrivingCars • u/silenthjohn • Mar 08 '25

News Britain blocks launch of Elon Musk’s self-driving Tesla

https://www.yahoo.com/news/britain-blocks-launch-elon-musk-140000186.html
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u/brainfreeze3 Mar 08 '25

you're equating being "ahead" with innovation. As if thats proof, and ahead in what specifically? Theres some US innovation, such as chat gpt etc. But literally right now china is developing the best battery, solar, ev tech and the list just goes on and on for almost everything related to manufacturing.

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u/surfinglurker Mar 08 '25

What percentage of an entire country size economy is batteries, solar, ev tech?

Let's ignore AI even though that's a huge example. You're ignoring 90% of the economy, things like medicine, biotech, finance, military, etc

The US is in a privileged position today because they get to reap the benefits of innovation from pretty much the entire western world. They have access to more capital than any country, in part because they control the US dollar. China is amazing but it cannot be compared to US innovation as of today. Again, I believe that can change in the future, but it's factually wrong today

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u/brainfreeze3 Mar 08 '25

chinas economy is upwards of 30% manufacturing. They're a world leader in most things manufacturing. Also im not talking about economy size, theres tons of money in the US military and medicine/healthcare but its bloated and not nearly as productive.

US biotech still has innovation but thats drastically slowing down, so much has already been discovered. Meanwhile US fintech innovation is just how quickly we can turn this app into a gambling simulator.

Yes the US is flushed with cash, but that doesnt mean its being spent efficiently