Someone Is Hacking Crosswalk Buttons to Speak in the Voice of Elon Musk Lamenting the Terrible Sadness in His Life
Last week, a group of hackers took over the crosswalk buttons at downtown intersections in Palo Alto, Redwood City, and Menlo Park in California, leaving pedestrians with a surprise auditory experience. As the San Francisco Chronicle reports, the satirical clips mock Elon Musk's voice, capturing his perceived struggles with loneliness, friendship, and even far-right extremism.
The hacker(s) used AI-generated clips of Musk's voice to play these satirical messages, which quickly went viral on social media platforms. The clips showcase a darker side of the billionaire, portraying him as a lonely individual desperate for attention and affection. One clip features a crosswalk button saying, "You know, it’s funny, I used to think he was just this dumb sack of sh*t," followed by a second voice mimicking Trump's replies: "Sweetie, come back to bed."
The clips also paint Musk as a billionaire struggling to maintain friendships and relationships. In one video, the crosswalk button says, "Hi, I’m Elon Musk, welcome to Palo Alto, the home of Tesla engineering. You know, they say money can’t buy happiness, and yeah, okay, I guess that’s true." The clip continues, "God knows I’ve tried. But it can buy a Cybertruck, and that’s pretty sick, right? Right?" This is followed by another video where Musk-alike begs for friendship: "Will you be my friend? I’ll give you a Cybertruck, I promise."
The satirical clips have sparked both amusement and concern among the public. City officials are investigating the incident and have temporarily disabled the voice feature until they can fix the issue. However, the damage has already been done, with users on Bluesky calling the stunt "hilarious" and "next level." One user wrote: "I am sending all of my love to whoever hacked these crosswalk boxes with the Elon voice."
The question remains as to who is behind the hack and how they exploited the crosswalks to play these messages. While it's unclear, experts suggest that growing up with an emotionally abusive father may have contributed to Musk's increasing isolation. Additionally, his high-profile feuds with ex-partner Claire "Grimes" Boucher and former President Donald Trump have sparked widespread criticism.
Musk has repeatedly denied being a target of hate, claiming that he has made great products loved by people worldwide and has never physically hurt anyone. He tweeted: "My companies make great products that people love and I’ve never physically hurt anyone. So why the hate and violence against me?" Despite this, Musk's actions have undoubtedly fueled anti-Musk sentiment, particularly with his recent embrace of far-right extremism.
The incident highlights growing disillusionment with tech oligarchs who have accumulated significant power and influence. As more people join protests across the country, it's clear that Musk's actions have sparked a response. The satirical clips, while entertaining, also serve as a reminder of the billionaire's struggles with mental health and relationships.
The debate surrounding Musk's persona continues to unfold, leaving many wondering if there's truth to the harsh satire. As experts weigh in on the potential causes of his isolation, one thing is clear: Elon Musk has become a lightning rod for public opinion, sparking both admiration and ridicule in equal measure.