For someone who has just recently received their Tesla you seem very negative about the whole experience.
I do agree that the gear selector is different to a lot of other cars but it is also similar to a lot of cars as mentioned.
You mention it being a safety issue but if you were used to the car it wouldn't be a problem hence my reply of "Just something to get used to"
No car is exactly the same as any other and most cars have electronic gear shifters these days too.
Also the Jeep one was different altogether as the vehicle wouldn't automatically put itself into park. The the Star Trek actor got out of his with it in Neutral and got run over.
I don't see BMW, Hyundai, or VW getting any flack for their electronic shifters at all. Some of which are on stalks much like the Tecla's.
Mercedes also do not get any flack for their stalk shifter which the design and function is where the Tesla one comes from.
It could be worse too. There was a car I recently drove which had the Cruise Control stalk in about the same location as where I am used to indicators being.
What would you have said if an accident was caused by inadvertently resuming the cruise control instead of indicating?
It just takes a little more care until you are used to where everything is.
Your comment about the house fire is very premature as well. There is not yet any proof that it was the car that caused the fire.
It could have been wiring or a petrol car that was in the garage amongst a whole list of other possible ignition sources for the fire.
In fact there is now this article which reports there was no Tesla or charging equipment.
FAKE NEWS: A Tesla did NOT burn down a Sydney home last night - techAU