why is lying at the edge of committing fraud so respected?
For example - richard stallman is pedantically correct about many things regarding licenses or privacy or any number of related subjects. But nobody can wholeheartedly accept and adopt his viewpoint and behave as he does (no phone, doesn't use non-free software, etc)
Musk is similar in his promises and predictions. Nobody can wholeheartedly accept his views.
But the reason these folks are valuable are - they move the goalposts. Moving the goalposts moves the thoughts and behavior of people close to their viewpoints, and can eventually unseat the complacent middle.
imho :)
EDIT: I think nobody is immune to this. Lots of people will understand the bullshit is deep when someone comes up to them and relentlessly over-the-top flatters them. But they are likely to listen to and accept the person, logic be damned.