Tesla Cybertruck and TikTok Shenanigans
In recent news, a new trend among TikTok users has emerged, aiming to draw attention to the Tesla Cybertruck in a humorous and critical way. TikTokers are going out at night to "hunt" for these unique electric vehicles with a specific intention: to project anti-Elon Musk messages onto the flat tailgate of the Cybertruck. The tailgate design, described as “a perfectly flat, light-colored, sharp-edged rectangle,” makes it almost perfect for projecting images or messages, resembling a projector screen, as noted by Rachel Maddow.
The TikTok Trend: Hunting for Cybertrucks
This unique effort has gained traction on TikTok over the past week. Participants drive around at night, looking for Tesla Cybertrucks, and when they find one, they pull up behind it to project their messages. During her Friday night show, Maddow highlighted this new trend and the creative ways TikTok users are expressing their dissatisfaction with Musk and Tesla.
Many TikTok users have shared their experiences, including humorous and pointed messages aimed at Musk, ranging from light-hearted jabs to more serious critiques.
Projected Messages and Humor
One of the messages shared by Maddow expressed: “No, the price of eggs aren’t falling, but the price of this piece of junk sure is.” Another playful message read, “Hey, don’t hate me. Musk sold me this S-Box.” These messages reflect a blend of humor and social commentary about the vehicle and Musk himself.
Interestingly, some messages delve into Musk’s personal life, with jokes that touch on potentially crude and controversial subjects. Maddow mentioned that many messages were not suitable for broadcasting due to their explicit nature, indicating the creative lengths people will go to poke fun at Musk.
Elon Musk: A Polarizing Figure
Musk has been at the center of various discussions lately, particularly as his role in politics and business continues to grow. Journalist Seth Abramson, who has written multiple biographies on Musk, took to social media to challenge the perception of Musk’s intelligence. He stated that based on his research, he would rate Musk’s IQ between 100 and 110, firmly arguing against the notion that Musk possesses above-average intelligence.
Abramson’s tweets emphasized that there is “zero evidence” in Musk’s biography to support claims of extraordinary intelligence. He elaborated that simply having wealth and influence does not equate to intelligence, suggesting that praising someone for spending money or owning a successful company overlooks the complexities and contributions of those involved in the companies’ day-to-day operations.
Critique of Celebrity Culture
Abramson further criticized the tendency to assign intelligence or value simply based on financial success or ownership of a company. He argued that such views can lead to a form of idolization that detracts from a more nuanced understanding of business leadership and innovation. “If you assign intelligence to just spending money, you’re in a cult,” he stated. His comments open up a broader discussion about how society perceives successful individuals, particularly in the tech industry.
Conclusion
The new TikTok trend of projecting messages onto Tesla Cybertrucks highlights the intersection of technology, social media, and public discourse. While the projections are often humorous, they also reveal deeper sentiments about Elon Musk and his influence in both the personal and political spheres. As the discourse around Musk evolves, it raises questions about the nature of intelligence, success, and accountability in the public eye.
Through these playful but pointed interactions, TikTok users are using creativity to voice their concerns and critiques, proving that humor can be a powerful tool for social commentary. The Cybertruck, once merely a vehicle, has now become a moving canvas for public expression, illustrating how modern technology can foster new forms of protest and engagement, particularly among younger generations.