Elon Musk is a racist asshole who’s spent thousands and thousands of {dollars} making an attempt to place a bloodthirsty fascist again into the White Home. However I discovered myself conflicted Friday morning whereas studying a brand new article at Bloomberg in regards to the Tesla drive-in diner and EV charging middle that Musk is opening in Los Angeles. I hate that I adore it. And I actually want anybody else however Musk was constructing it proper now.
The Fifties-style drive-in, which sits at Santa Monica Boulevard and Orange Drive in Hollywood, will reportedly have 28 EV charging stalls, a restaurant with rooftop seating, and two film screens. The diner can even be open 24 hours, based on previous studies.
Anybody who is aware of me can simply perceive why I’d love the look and idea of this factor. Bloomberg describes it as a “retro-futuristic carhop-movie-theater-mashup.” And I simply so occur to be the man who’s been writing Paleofuture, a weblog about previous visions of the longer term, since 2007. This place was principally made for me. I imply, take a look at this rendering that reveals what it’s finally purported to appear to be. It’s straight out of The Jetsons.
And that’s why I’m so conflicted. As a result of no matter I really like in regards to the design of mid-Twentieth century Los Angeles—with its hopeful imaginative and prescient of tomorrow and Googie-laced extra—clearly represents one thing very completely different to guys like Elon Musk. To him, the aesthetics of retrofuturism is that of a reactionary nostalgia for the Fifties and ’60s, laced with all of the racism and “conventional” gender roles that he’s consistently whining about nowadays.
You solely want to have a look at the best way Musk talks to see the connection, whether or not it’s at his large Tesla occasions or interviews with individuals like far-right influencer Tucker Carlson. Musk talks about how “the longer term ought to appear to be the longer term,” which is to say that it ought to emulate the retro-futuristic sheen of the previous. After which he goes on podcasts to complain in regards to the “woke thoughts virus,” unfold lies about trans individuals, and demonize immigrants. How futuristic.
It’s not laborious to know how the aesthetic selections of this diner and Musk’s politics can meet up. There are many individuals who benefit from the look of Nineteen Sixties futurism who aren’t fascists. However should you’re a far-right billionaire, that aesthetic represents one thing very completely different. It celebrates a second in time earlier than such woke annoyances as the contraception tablet (Musk doesn’t prefer it), DEI initiatives (Musk thinks variety and inclusion is anti-white discrimination), and mainstream America’s social acceptance of trans individuals (Musk additionally has an actual downside with that ever since his trans daughter disowned him). When somebody like Musk is embracing the model of retrofuture the emphasis is on retro over future.
I’ve by no means owned an electrical automobile. In reality, I don’t personal a automobile of any variety in the mean time. However I generally drive the electrical vehicles of family and friends and know what a ache the charging might be, relying in your proximity to Tesla’s Superchargers. This drive-in seems like a really cool means for individuals to do this charging whereas grabbing one thing to eat or watching a film.
Musk is an unethical one that usually makes use of dodgy strategies to fudge robotic demos and break a number of labor legal guidelines whereas being staunchly anti-union. And that’s to say nothing of the truth that he’s additionally making an attempt to usher in a brand new wave of Trumpism that guarantees to terrorize People. Trump has promised to deport thousands and thousands of individuals in a “bloody” operation, says he’ll use the army to go after political opponents like Adam Schiff and Nancy Pelosi, and his former prime advisors have actually known as him a fascist who wished Adolf Hitler’s generals.
And but I’m caught this upcoming Tesla diner and considering it’s a spot I’d fortunately go to if Musk wasn’t concerned. Am I the baddy, to paraphrase a well-liked meme? I believe I’m the baddy.
It’s nonetheless unclear when the restaurant would possibly open. The YouTube channel 247Tesla posted a brand new drone video earlier this week from Hollywood displaying progress on the diner development website in Hollywood. However studies have hinted that this diner idea could possibly be expanded to different places if it does nicely.
I despise every little thing Musk stands for politically and may’t stand different aesthetic selections the man has made with rubbish just like the Cybertruck. However I believe it’s essential to confess that I really like this Tesla diner idea. I sincerely hope Musk flees to Russia (we discovered yesterday the billionaire has been in “common contact” with Vladimir Putin since late 2022), however I’ve to provide credit score the place credit score is due.
And my conflicted feelings appear to be the purpose. The brand new article at Bloomberg notes that liberal EV house owners have soured on Musk and this diner is one strategy to join with a client base that sees the billionaire as essentially against their values. It’s a branding train and it’s utterly labored on me thus far.
Except one thing radically modifications by the point they end this diner, it seems like a reasonably stable retail idea. And if Musk doesn’t finally go away the nation for any variety of causes (Musk has mentioned he thinks he’ll be thrown in jail if Kamala Harris wins the election), right here’s hoping the employees at Musk’s new diner a minimum of unionize the place. There’s completely no means that George Jetson received a two-hour workday by another means than a tricky union.
