I'm not a rocket scientist, but I'm relatively sure that launching pads shouldn't look like bomb craters after the rocket takes off
@thomasfuchs The Elon apparently posted before the launch that not using a blast diverter "might be a mistake." So likely: (1) The Elon demanded no diverter because there won't be one on Mars; (2) engineers told him the pad and parts of the rocket would be ripped apart by the blast; (3) The Elon put on his I'm-going-to-fire-someone face; (4) no diverter; (5) as the day approached, The Elon realized that maybe his engineers were right and it might be fun to save face by firing them.