I Hate the Tesla Drive-In As a result of It Seems to be So Rattling Cool

Elon Musk is a racist asshole who’s spent tens of millions 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 concerning the Tesla drive-in diner and EV charging heart 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 Nineteen 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 will even be open 24 hours, in accordance with previous reviews.

Anybody who is aware of me can simply perceive why I might 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 mainly made for me. I imply, have a look at this rendering that reveals what it’s finally imagined to seem like. It’s straight out of The Jetsons.

And that’s why I’m so conflicted. As a result of no matter I like concerning the design of mid-Twentieth century Los Angeles—with its hopeful imaginative and prescient of tomorrow and Googie-laced excess—clearly represents one thing very totally different to guys like Elon Musk. To him, the aesthetics of retrofuturism is that of a reactionary nostalgia for the Nineteen Fifties and ’60s, laced with all of the racism and “conventional” gender roles that he’s continually whining about as of late.

You solely want to take a look at the way in which Musk talks to see the connection, whether or not it’s at his large Tesla occasions or interviews with folks like far-right influencer Tucker Carlson. Musk talks about how “the longer term ought to seem like 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 concerning the “woke thoughts virus,” unfold lies about trans folks, and demonize immigrants. How futuristic.

It’s not onerous 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 Sixties futurism who aren’t fascists. However for those who’re a far-right billionaire, that aesthetic represents one thing very totally 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 range and inclusion is anti-white discrimination), and mainstream America’s social acceptance of trans folks (Musk additionally has an actual downside with that ever since his trans daughter disowned him). When somebody like Musk is embracing the type of retrofuture the emphasis is on retro over future.

I’ve by no means owned an electrical automotive. Actually, I don’t personal a automotive of any form in the intervening time. However I typically drive the electrical vehicles of family and friends and know what a ache the charging could be, relying in your proximity to Tesla’s Superchargers. This drive-in seems like a really cool method for folks to try this charging whereas grabbing one thing to eat or watching a film.

Musk is an unethical one who often makes use of dodgy methods to fudge robot demos and break several labor laws 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 tens of millions 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 needed Adolf Hitler’s generals.

And but I’m caught taking a look at 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 popular 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 exhibiting progress on the diner development web site in Hollywood. However reviews have hinted that this diner idea may very well be expanded to different areas if it does nicely.

I despise all the pieces 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 like this Tesla diner idea. I sincerely hope Musk flees to Russia (we realized yesterday the billionaire has been in “regular contact” with Vladimir Putin since late 2022), however I’ve to offer 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 option to join with a client base that sees the billionaire as basically against their values. It’s a branding train and it’s fully 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 stated he thinks he’ll be thrown in jail if Kamala Harris wins the election), right here’s hoping the workers at Musk’s new diner a minimum of unionize the place. There’s completely no method that George Jetson obtained a two-hour workday by way of every other means than a tricky union.