They could spin off Starlink and sell it to Tesla.
Makes perfect sense:
- Starlink is all about computing tech - Tesla is a hotbed for computing, (Watson Research/ Bell Labs/ SRI)
plus the implementation and manufacturing prowess to commercialize/ monetize the R&D.
- the launch/ rocket aspect of Starlink can be subcontracted to SpaceX, good way for Tesla to use its excess cash, and lets SpaceX concentrate on its principal mission - space exploration/ colonization
- avoids the ITAR (US citizenship, vetting issues for employees of SpaceX), and helps fund SpaceX which is in earlier stages of being profitable
- advances Tesla's mission - reducing inefficiencies (aka carbon consumption of all sorts) now possible with fast communications. Aspects of money can be modernized, no need for wasteful financial intermediaries shuffling slowly entries in batch Cobol mainframes (people employed to verify/ handhold accounts and paper shuffling, legal and not-so-legal enforcement agencies that wouldn't be needed with automated verification/ clearing.. )
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On that latter point, some clarification for folks not familiar with some aspects of money and finance (I'm a noobie really too, so feel free to correct)
I'm not implying Tesla would get involved directly in the money business, but certainly some aspects can benefit from the ubiquitous presence of the internet via Starlink covering the earth and space, with Tesla's million(s) of cars and SC's covering the globe.
- as Elon mentioned, money is just an entry in some database (private banks and ultimately the Federal Reserve computers)
- payments between banks take 3 days to clear, even between branches of the same bank at times. Why, well because it is inefficient, or maybe to pay its inefficient systems, and bankers need to be fed/s *
- payments between countries is done via the US dominated SWIFT system. It really is not as secure/ modern as one would think it is, a few years ago the Central Bank of Bangladesh was the victim of
counterfeiters who'd hacked the SWIFT system and stolen hundred of millions, with other hacks always happening. For countries not part of the SWIFT system, the Chinese are quickly establishing an alternative payment system. Considering how poorly our country is run, who knows what the future international system will be.
Starlink incidentally provides a borderless communications system - how it meshes with various governments prerogatives is an interesting issue, and the main reason different countries want their own LEO satellites, for now best launched by .. SpaceX. Russia's scandalous creation of dangerous debris in space (by recently shooting one of their own satellites) threatening all orbiting vehicles may be a phyrric warning ..
(*) For most money exchanges this can be done instantly at minimal costs. China essentially does it now with their cellphones and electronic yuan. Here in the US you can do it with Square's Cash app/ Visa card. Highly recommended BTW to send money instantly between friends and family for sure, but also for all normal credit card purchases. It may be Jack Dorsey's next challenge (why he felt he could/ wanted to leave Twitter).
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