Glad you asked. To be clear: I agree with your original comment.
I had this great, long, message drafted in my mind while in sauna, but I discarded (forgot) that one when I got back to the computer.
Let me elaborate my first reply. We have in the OP image the following actors: Musk and the challenger.
I think that he should have avoided the interaction with musk, if he planned to convince Musk of something.
- (#1) According to my previous knowledge about Musk’s interactions wherever in the world of Internet, I have come to the conclusion he is not the one to be convinced even with proof.
- (#2) If someone can challenge him during the interaction, he will most likely (always) counteract with snarky responses or just ignore the challenger totally. Like seen in the OP image.
- (#3) The challenger tried to convince him with proof.
If he planned to educate the general public, his approach is totally fine, though.
- (#4) Whilst the challenger commenced #3, he was really proofing the point/educating the public of the #1.
I like to think I managed to represent the Musk-like interaction in my previous reply; responding to your well built message with a snarky comment. Although, I think, I went too far with the dual interpretations.
E: Why is your reply being down-voted? My previous should be the more down-voted one. I also made a little correction to this message.
Poor bees which were lost during this kind of activity.