The car is efficient enough for it to do something (20-30 miles a day in summer if I remember), but yes it’s mostly marketing and they say as much. “Solar electric car” sounds a lot better than “this car is pretty normal but it’s super efficient”

Self landing rockets is a great thing to cheer about!

But also people cheered for a guy eating cheese balls so you may have a point.

Large online communities like this gathering is one of my favorite things about the Internet

It’s like an optional small town, which is the best sort of small town. Or like a Minecraft realm you shared with your friends. Or Animal Crossing but multiplayer. So many analogies!!