> "Oops, that broke for a few days" matters a lot more when the thing that breaks is, say, paying out money for social security.

That depends on your perspective. I'm sure there are people out there who think that since social security goes to people who aren't economically productive that it's not a thing that matters. I disagree with those people, but defining what matters is critical, and for Musk & co "what matters" is only anything that enriches Musk & co.