No problem, Dave.
I've read the article you are referencing and I can understand your concern. Just know that Bolt Threads is backed by VCs, so they, like publically traded companies, rely on the perception of viability. However, unlike publically traded companies, they don't have to rely on forward looking statements to cover their butts. They can make entirely false statements with little repercussions.
They need their VC's to not give up on them. In their position, they need to say whatever they can to keep VC money coming in, or else they are toast.
One thing you have to ask yourself is why they are introducing their new "Mylo" leather when they haven't even mastered spider silk protein yet? My answer is that they are covering their bases for when Kraig Labs completely makes their fiber obsolete. I mean, they claim they are solving the scale-up issue, but the total amount of protein they created for the ties was 3 kilos (the CEO said they had 60grams of fiber each x 50), their partial silk beanies were likely around the same amount and that was fairly recently. How are they making these small amounts when a fermentation cycle is only 2-4 days? Why would they purchase a small retail store in New York City that sells very expensive axes? Will they only make enough to sell in low volumes that can be sold in a boutique store?
These questions all have answers, and the answers become much clearer if you can admit that there scale-up problems are out of their control because that production process has been refined for decades.
And also, I'm pretty sure he didn't say his fibers could be similar pricewise as normal silk. I remember him saying they "could" be similar to high-end fibers (whatever that means).
