How Tesla Became the Epicenter of Political Protests

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Throughout the weekend, demonstrators convened at Tesla stores in numerous urban centers globally to protest Elon Musk’s alleged collaboration with Donald Trump, which they believe has undermined the U.S. government. The aim was to cast a negative light on Tesla vehicles. A placard in Manhattan declared, "Torched a Tesla, rescued democracy." These activists seek to leverage market-driven democratic processes through their actions as a means to impact America’s political system.

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Dara Kerr and Edward Helmore report as follows:

In New York City, hundreds of demonstrators against Tesla assembled outside the company's Manhattan dealership on Saturday. Sophie Shepherd, aged 23 and an organizer for Planet Over Profit, clarified that the protest was not targeting electric vehicles as a whole.

We're gathered here to demonstrate against Musk for hosting what amounts to a Tesla exhibition on the White House grounds," she stated. "Our aim is to cause as much disruption to his ventures as we can, which means targeting all Teslas, including the Cybertruck.

The protests didn’t attract large numbers of people. Despite this, Musk’s wealth has decreased by over $100 billion as Tesla’s stock price has plummeted by almost fifty percent from its highest point in December 2024.

Many Tesla owners find themselves compelled to either endorse or oppose the company due to Musk’s political endeavors.

Musk is closely linked with Tesla. The company mentions in its detailed annual report under the risk factors section that they are "significantly reliant on the expertise of Elon Musk, the Technoking of Tesla and our CEO." The title 'Technoking of Tesla' is one among several informal but distinctive roles held officially by Musk.

In turn, people's feelings about consumers' attitudes towards Musk’s public image are closely linked with Tesla. When he was recognized mainly as a multifaceted technological prodigy, the real-life model for Iron Man, this view enhanced Tesla’s reputation much like one of his rockets’ engines would boost a spacecraft.

Given the polarized perception of Musk as a public personality, reviewing Tesla’s risk evaluations in their 10-K filing adopts a distinct tone: "Maintaining public trust and faith in our future business potential will be crucial for us to thrive."

As stated in Tesla's filing, they are aiming at a large global audience with a wide array of potential customers,

Musk’s political activities are compelling numerous Tesla owners to end up as advocates for or against the company. These individual car owners find themselves pressured to take sides. justify their purchases Or they might openly state that their beliefs are separate from their vehicles. The purchase dates have become particularly significant, leading to an increase in "I bought this before Elon lost his mind" bumper stickers as a form of criticism towards what some call the "bureau of governmental effectiveness." However, many Americans simply wish for their cars to remain personal transportation rather than statements of politics.

On his end, Musk is aiming at an increasingly specific group of people. He organized a Tesla sales event on the White House lawn along with one of the most unpopular and polarizing presidents in recent American politics. Predicting Tesla’s future trajectory is uncertain, but currently, growing societal disapproval towards the company seems to be impacting its financial standing.

Check out the complete account of Saturday's demonstrations here .

More on Elon Musk

  • Investors at Tesla prepare for worldwide sales figures amidst customer discontent over Elon Musk.

  • Elon Musk distributes $1m checks to voters during Wisconsin Supreme Court election contest

Is Donald Trump familiar with Totoro?

On Thursday, the White House posted a cartoon The picture shows the apprehension of a crying woman next to an American flag. It was described as follows: "Virginia Basora-Gonzalez, who had been previously expelled for being a criminal alien convicted of dealing fentanyl, was detained by @ICEgov in Philadelphia upon unlawful return to the U.S. She cried during her arrest." (Image included)

By turning this woman into a Ghibli character, the White House unintentionally portrayed someone who was previously deported and is actually a fentanyl smuggler as relatable.

The appearance of the White House depicted is striking. The juxtaposition of the severe nature of deportations against the gentle curves of figures portrayed in soothing hues reminiscent of beloved childhood animations like "Spirited Away" and "My Neighbor Totoro," creates an eerie effect. This appears intentional. On one hand, this image can be seen as mere sensationalism—perhaps carrying minimal deeper significance beyond its ability to shock—and yet, it serves as a message from what is arguably America’s highest seat of power. It might thus fall upon us to try deciphering its intent.

A few days ago, OpenAI enhanced ChatGPT’s capabilities to include improved image generation. Shortly after, Twitter/X saw an influx of realistic photos rendered in the distinct aesthetic of Studio Ghibli, known for their latest award-winning work "The Boy and the Heron," which claimed Oscars, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes. made one Of the images shared, OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, updated his profile picture to feature a character he referred to as "a twink-style Ghibli design." It seems the White House has also made similar changes. (OpenAI didn’t reply to requests regarding the cartoon portrayal of the arrest and deportation.)

I would dare say Trump hasn't watched Studio Ghibli’s "Princess Mononoke." The stark peculiarity in this scene lies partly in its visuals and partly in its political undertones. Hayao Miyazaki, who at 84 years old founded Studio Ghibli, stands behind this creation. criticized nationalism And promoted environmentalism, showing disagreement with stances readily linked to Trump’s administration.

In a 2018 documentary, Miyazaki referred to a young animator’s utilization of artificial intelligence for generating a disturbing animated character as "a mockery of life." The legality and philosophy behind whether OpenAI infringed upon Ghibli’s copyrights by incorporating their stylistic approach into their AI model continue to be debated issues. It would be worthwhile to read Walter Benjamin’s work on this topic. The Artwork in an Era of Mechanical Replication , which pertains to reproductions of the Mona Lisa.

Mike Solana, who serves as the chief marketing officer at Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund and also founded the conservative newsletter Pirate Wires, posted on Twitter stating that the image failed to effectively mock its subject due to being insufficiently provocative. kawaii.

"Twenty-four hours in, we encounter the first major instance of someone attempting to use a style beyond their skill level, thus failing to grasp its essence. By applying a Ghibli-esque approach to this woman, the White House unintentionally portrayed a formerly deported criminal and actual fentanyl smuggler as relatable... This particular artistic style inherently evokes warmth. You won't make me feel sympathy for seeing a Ghibli-like character suffer," says Solana. tweeted .

I have previously discussed how American conservatives embrace AI whereas liberals tend to avoid it. , which I believe still holds true. The stark combination of frivolous online aesthetics with the Trump administration’s strict stance on immigration isn’t going away anytime soon. The White House issued a comparable posting. last month ". ASMR: Deportation of an Undocumented Immigrant Aboard a Plane 🔊." I had higher expectations.

The wider TechScape

  • How to protect your phone and data privacy at the US border

  • Why and how educators and moms and dads are getting small kids familiar with artificial intelligence

  • 'Sim Farms', stiletto heels, zombie knives: what fraudsters purchase with stolen funds?

  • Calling all fashion models...now AI is closing in on you.

  • Is it secure? Is it monitoring? Concerns arise over NHS 'magic eye' surveillance cameras in mental health facilities.

  • The contentious Californian municipality supported by technology leaders is now embracing a fresh idea: utilizing boats.

  • From impact-resistant casings to software enhancements: ways to extend your smartphone’s lifespan

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