The media (and pop culture in general) has a different understanding of failure. I think they're wrong.

I'm not sure I agree with you either, though. I'm a big believer in failing as often as possible and recovering in such a way that no customer or outside observer notices.

And the fact that rockets have a history of audacious risks and fantastic explosions is no excuse for that ongoing pattern. It's not just about fatalities or the raw cost of equipment lost. It's also about confidence and, where applicable, stock prices.

Any decent manager should understand that, so maybe it's another example of Musk's companies being mismanaged.