The Dark Gothic Air of "Musk's Transylvanian Town"

This project details the urban futures of thousands of cities across the globe as though they've somehow overcome all the grave social and environmental challenges our age and grown to become "Super Green". This month, we highlight the future of Sibiu, Romania.

In the not-so-distant future of 2037, the medieval town of Sibiu, Romania, found itself at the epicenter of a techno-political saga that no one saw coming.

The Exile and the Election

After a series of regulatory clashes in the United States, Elon Musk faced mounting legal challenges under the post-Trump return to democracy. Opting for self-imposed exile, Musk set his sights on Europe, where he saw both opportunity and a chance to reinvent himself. His attention turned to Transylvania, a region of Romania ripe for political disruption.

Leveraging his vast social media influence, Musk threw his support behind a far-right Alternative for Romania (AfRom) party, declaring them the "last last last spark of hope" for Europe. His endorsement, amplified across platforms, played a significant role in the AfRom's unexpected victory in nation's general and regional elections.

The Industrial Renaissance

With the new version of AfRom in power, Musk proposed an ambitious plan: transform Sibiu into a hub of innovation. The national and regional governments, all eager to showcase economic progress, offered substantial subsidies for Musk to establish a robotaxi factory and a cutting-edge AI data center in the town.

Construction began at a breakneck pace. Historic buildings were repurposed, and the skyline soon featured sleek, modern structures juxtaposed against medieval architecture. The town buzzed with activity, attracting tech enthusiasts and investors from around the globe.

The Rise of the Romanian DOGE

Emboldened by his successes, Musk introduced a new initiative: the Department of the Optimization of Great Enterprise (AfRom DOGE). Marketed as a tool to streamline government operations, AfRom DOGE promised to reduce bureaucracy, cut business costs, labor rights, safety and eco-regulation and enhance efficiency. However, it primarily served Musk's interests, granting his enterprises preferential access to government contracts and public and private data.

The Downfall

Initially Sibiu experienced an economic boom. Job opportunities surged, and the town became a symbol of modern progress. However, the rapid industrialization strained local resources. The AI data center's immense energy consumption led to frequent power outages, disrupting daily life. Traditional businesses struggled to compete, leading to widespread closures.

Moreover, the promised job creation fell short as automation reduced the need for human labor. Unemployment rose, and many residents left in search of better opportunities. The town's cultural identity eroded, replaced by a homogenized, tech-centric environment.

The Cultural Shift

As AfRom DOGE's influence grew, so did Musk's cultural imprint. A new fashion trend, dubbed "Dark Romanian Gothic" emerged.

The Dark Gothic Fashion of Sibiu, Romania

Alas, this Dark Gothic fashion, was the only successful and long-lasting outcome of AfRom DOGE in the city of Sibiu. Because AI-induced unemployment began mushrooming, and because the electricity supplies were patchy and disconcerting for urban home-dwellers, and because food became more expensive, corruption levels outlandish, and "hate-speech" the norm, half the town's residents migrated to brighter, happier, more tolerant and prosperous cities across Romania and Europe, leaving Sibiu lonely and depressing (but suitably dark and Gothic just the same).