That viral video of a 'deactivated' Tesla Cybertruck is a fake

How the hoax was viewed and predicted

• Several commenters say they expected the video to be fake, referencing an earlier HN thread where people already suspected fabrication.
• Others admit they initially found it plausible, given Tesla’s and Musk’s reputations, but now frame that as a lesson in misplaced priors and confirmation bias.
• Some argue it could be a “slam-dunk” defamation/libel case for Tesla if fully fabricated.

HN behavior, upvotes, and skepticism

• Debate over what an upvote means: agreement, belief, curiosity, or just “this is interesting drama.”
• Some claim the original thread was highly credulous early on; others insist skepticism was present from the start.
• Meta-discussion about HN drifting toward Reddit-like outrage, hoaxes, and political flamewars, and about moderation/flagging practices.

Musk/Tesla, hypocrisy, and polarization

• A number of commenters express little sympathy for Tesla or Musk, pointing out that Musk himself often amplifies misinformation, including AI fakes and political deepfakes, making him a “hypocritical” victim.
• Others emphasize the existence of intense Tesla/Musk hatred and financial incentives (e.g., large short positions), suggesting a fertile environment for targeted hoaxes.

Remote control, “dumb cars,” and plausibility

• Even though this incident was fake, people note that remote disablement feels increasingly plausible in a world of connected, “computer-on-wheels” cars, subscriptions, and OTA control.
• One commenter cites a report of a Cybertruck allegedly disabled remotely in a geopolitical context, which conflicts with Tesla’s public claim that it does not do remote shutdowns; based on the thread alone, this remains unclear.
• Some argue that if manufacturers keep root access and control, they should also bear the reputational cost when people suspect remote meddling.

Misinformation dynamics and consequences

• Discussion about how “lies that feel true” gain traction because they fit existing narratives, and how people often don’t update even when debunked.
• Comparisons to older media fakery (staged car tests) and to modern outrage-bait and staged “viral” content.
• Concern that fake stories get loud, front-page promotion, while corrections are slower, quieter, and pushed down, making propaganda and narrative-building highly effective.