Futuristic Visions: Finding Common Ground Between the Cybertruck and Disney's Urban Planning
Helping those who love Disney and Tesla bridge the divide. Where do we go from here?
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In this post we explore the cultural, social, and spatial implications of Disney’s new Storyliving master planned community Cotino. There are many. Contemporaneously the Tesla Cybertruck is the focus of a larger conversation that is political, social, and cultural. How do these seemingly unrelated things relate? Let’s dig in…
While researching a recent post on multigenerational housing I stumbled across the Disney Storyliving concept. I love placemaking and wanted to learn a bit more about what Disney’s version. There is a new, Disney-sponsored, master planned community named Cotino. It is located in the desert of Greater Palm Springs, CA. I know Palm Springs, it’s gorgeous. I imagine living there might be very cool.
At Cotino new homes range in price from $1-2.5M+ in the new storybook living community. Homes range in size from 2,200 SF to more than 4,000+ SF. Not exactly starter homes, but also not the Yellowstone Club.
According to the website, you can live your dream life surrounded by people just like you! This includes people who love the outdoors and you can even find “an inspiring retreat with residences for those 55+” in Longtable Park. This community touts it is built for families and people of diverse age groups, but really it feels like it’s a retirement community. Maybe it’s not? Disney didn’t return my call.
The centerpiece of this community is a Crystal Lagoon that serves as a focal point for activities and views. It looks beautiful and is an amenity for many luxury master planned communities in 2024. But is building a giant man-made “lagoon” in the middle of the desert sustainable? Hmm…I thought Disney focused on ESG as a core principle? Maybe they forgot the “E” in an effort to boost their bottom line?
But anything is possible since the “Go woke, go broke” movement surfaced in the past two years.
The Artisan Club offers curated Disney signature events, performances, and seasonal celebrations. From wellness and health activities to planned excursions and adventures you can find it all here. This sounds ideal for people from all walks of life!
“Legendary service” will be provided by Disney Cast Members. Maybe this involves servers dressed up as Furries? That would be cool and inclusive, so they win some ESG points back after the fail with the Crystal Lagoon. Yes, I’m keeping tabs.
There will even be volunteerism opportunities for residents interested in helping those less fortunate. This of course means from time to time those more fortunate will throw a few crumbs to those struggling to pay their rent or buy a new home since inflation and home prices spiraled out of control. But that’s a problem for another day.
There is an escapist element to all master planned communities. In master planned communities the thought is, “Let’s not deal with society’s problems, let’s retreat to a place that is safe and controlled”. This concept feels a lot like the 1st Class Car in Snowpiercer.
Or if you don’t recognize that Scifi reference, then perhaps Seaside, FL. Seaside is where the movie The Truman Show was filmed. It’s beautiful, it’s perfect, it’s deadly. In the end there is a controlled aspect to all these places that is reassuring, boring, and anxiety inducing all the same.
And yes I am speaking from the perspective of a Gen-X’er. And I do believe these master planned communities are ultimately being created for the Baby Boomer generation. Whether they say so or not.
I have to say I understand wanting to permanently escape from the urban decay of cities like L.A. But at the same time I don’t understand how someone would want to live in a “storybook” permanently. Can something be bland and dull at the same time?
Maybe the Disney Imagineers will include a graffiti wall in this perfect community to ensure there is enough culturally diverse space? Maybe this virtue signaling will satisfy the ESG crowd? Gosh I hope so. But maybe a graffiti wall is not a good idea as that might upset what everyone is running away from?
I’m really struggling on this one to figure out how this social experiment is going to unfold.
As we ponder the cultural implications of Cotino and its graffiti wall, the Cybertruck surfaces with its futuristic and aggressive look. Yes it’s staring at you.
I had a conversation recently with a 55 year old female about a Tesla Cybertruck. She hates it and Elon Musk…”How could anybody like it!? He’s such a fascist!”
My response was, “Well you’re not exactly the target customer”.
The Cybertruck is the Generation X version of a 15-year old boy’s dream car. It looks Sci-fi, it’s fast, and it stands out. It is also an escape from reality that is only for those with enough money to afford a $60,000 - $180,000 vehicle. It also reminds me of the Snowpiercer train…Where maybe $60k buys you a ticket?
Should there be a place where wealthy people can live and escape from reality? Is there a vehicle that represents the ultimate toy for boys of all ages? Of course there should be!
You might ask, “What are the implications for a society where everyone can’t live in a place that is “perfect” or drive a Elon’s version of the futuristic truck?” I believe that’s called Capitalism.
And yes if you want to live in a Disney community with servers dressed up as Furries and drive a car that looks straight out of Blade Runner…Go ahead and live your best life. It’s not for me, but maybe it’s for you!?
I’m a Capitalist, a Libertarian, and an Independent who believes we should all think for ourselves. And everyone shouldn’t have to drive a Toyota Corolla and live in Soviet Housing.
God Bless America! Cheers to our community and to all of our readers!
John
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