Cooking with Gas

By Jay Torres

From Roman Mars’ podcast, 99% Invisible:

The level of emotion generated by this common household appliance was surprising. But it turns out there is a long and well-documented history that explains our current moment. The natural gas industry has spent the past hundred years selling Americans on the gas stove and trying to convince us that it’s superior to the electric alternative. That it’s classier, more functional, and that it just cooks our food better.

A truly fascinating look at how the natural gas industry (can we start calling it methane gas?) effectively brainwashed generations of Americans thinking that cooking with gas is better.

As far as other appliances that use gas, switching out the stove looks like to be the hardest one to convince the public to switching.

★

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav booed at Boston University commencement speech

By Jay Torres

Speaking of commencement speeches, Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav gave the commencement speech at Boston University.

BU students booed and turned their backs on David Zaslav, president and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, as he delivered the commencement address at Nickerson Field, the school stadium.

I’m also a fan of people speaking up for what they believe in.

★

Rivian to adopt NACS

By Jay Torres

Scooter Doll (what a name!) at Electrek:

The American automaker recently signed an agreement with Tesla to enable access to the latter’s Supercharger Network in the US and Canada. Beginning in spring 2024, current and new R1T or R1S owners will have access to an adapter that will allow charging on the Tesla Supercharger network.

That settles it: our next car will be a Rivian R1S.

★

San Francisco’s Bay Bridge Lights Go Dark

By Jay Torres

From back in March:

Leo Villareal, the artist who designed the Bay Lights, said that he was optimistic the organization would raise enough money to reinstall the light sculpture, which, he said, was inspired by the patterns of the water and the fog surrounding the bridge.

Watching it go dark on Sunday, Mr. Villareal added, was “bittersweet.”

“There’s a certain sadness to not have that be part of the landscape,” he said. “It’s really become part of the fabric of San Francisco.”

This piece was installed right around when I moved up to the Bay Area. It reminds me of when I started my new life in the Bay Area. It is sad to see the lights turned off.

★