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Tesla Preaches EVs to Kindergarten Children in China - Is That a Step too Far?

There is always that dilemma of whether we should allow our kids to absorb everything around them like a sponge, or we should act like a filter and carefully drop only the information we think is useful and appropriate to their age.
Tesla open doors in China 1 photo
Photo: Tesla China
In some cases, the answer is obvious: young kids should be held away from some of the horrific things going on in this world, sure, but how about the influence of specific brands?

Well, as long as we're willingly taking them ourselves to McDonald's ever since they can walk and eat solid food, I guess answering to this question is pointless.

Tesla
recently ran an open door event for kindergarten children in China, inviting them to come to its service centers and learn more about electric propulsion. We'd imagine their parents knew about this and had given their consent, so there's no wrong-doing so far.

We have no idea what went on there and what exactly did the program contain, but the official Tesla blog says that it focused on the differences between electric vehicles and conventionally powered ones.

Since China is ruled by a communist regime, it kind of acts like a parent for its children, the people, by filtering the outside information that is allowed on the Chinese Internet. This led to a very low initial EV awareness, raising even more problems for a premium brand selling such vehicles, as is the case for Tesla. However, China's EV market is quickly growing now thanks to government incentives based on its attempts to cut down on the air pollution levels.

Tesla, however, figured it could help as well, and it decided to think in the long run by targeting kindergarten students. Is it morally wrong to do that? Well, assuming the children weren't indoctrinated, but simply presented with some facts (which they will associate with Tesla in the future, but that's what makes it worth while, after all), then we can all agree it was a welcome initiative. That picture with the kids (clumsily) making a T with their arms does make you wonder about what exactly went on in there, though.
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About the author: Vlad Mitrache
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"Boy meets car, boy loves car, boy gets journalism degree and starts job writing and editing at a car magazine" - 5/5. (Vlad Mitrache if he was a movie)
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