(Starbase, Texas) Join me for a conversation with Jack Beyer, Space Photographer with NSF, at Starbase, Texas for my Podcast 89 on 𝕏.
A lot of us see Starship through Jack’s camera lenses. He’s recording history and he explains why.
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A few highlights from our conversation:
We discuss the future, and how we will one day see multiple launchpads in multiple places around the world (11:10) Jack describes Starship and the excitement it brings (13:15). At the close of the interview, I explain that you (the reader of this blog) are invited to Rocket Ranch, to Starbase in general, and it is a great opportunity to see it in the rare early stages that it is in at present.
A conversation with Jack Beyer at Starbase, Texas for my Podcast 89 on 𝕏
A lot of us see Starship through Jack’s camera lenses. He’s recording history and he explains why. Thanks @thejackbeyer
(5:00) multiple launchpads in multiple places around the world
FOR MEDIA USE ONLY News media is welcome to use my material in connection with a story or article. By downloading any content I create, you understand and hereby agree and represent that: (1) you are a member of the news media; (2) use of the content is in connection with a story or an article appearing in newspapers, periodicals, digital publications or television; (3) all images and rights thereto remain the property Gail Alfar.; and (4) use of the image is not for publication covers, advertising, promotion or otherwise for commercial purposes. Furthermore, use of any and all images and content appearing on this page must each include the notice “Courtesy of Gail Alfar” Use of materials copied from this website is at your own risk. You must obtain prior written consent from Gail Alfar for uses that exceed the above parameters.
(Austin) For pod 84 please join me for a drive on surface streets only, on Tesla FSD 12.5 during the most challenging time of day in Austin Texas. Rush-hour.
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A lovely drive at sunset, it is rush hour, and it still feels relaxing!
For pod 84 please join me for a drive on surface streets only, on Tesla FSD 12.5 during the most challenging time of day in Austin Texas. Rush-hour. (HW4) 16:48 – smart summon (HW3) 10x pic.twitter.com/Q1hILfFu8x
Tesla vehicles can have FSD for $99/month so you will not have to manually drive. Over the course of 5 years, you’ll spend less than $6000. This is a superb choice as you’ll probably own your car for around 5 years and if you purchase FSD in whole, it will cost you $8000.
Disclaimer: of course, these prices I am sharing are as of September 2024. Prices change.
$99/month versus $8000 over the course of 5 year ownership of your Tesla
This video also includes ASS, what is that?
At 16.48 seconds into this podcast, you will have the chance to see Tesla “Actual Smart Summon” work at 10X speed. I sped up the video because it is boring to watch. We perform ASS in a parking lot that is busy and has ample space. As time passes, we will see Tesla improve ASS quite a bit, these are excellent baby steps! As a test, in one of the sessions, I had the car summon to me with the sunshades on and it was a surprise to people who noticed it!
Tesla ASS rounding a corner.Tesla ASS with the sunshades on.
Gail Alfar, author. Exclusive to Gail Alfar. All Rights Reserved. My goal as an author and podcaster is to support Tesla (the most American vehicle manufacturer) and Elon Musk in making life better on Earth for humans and becoming a space-fairing civilization.
FOR MEDIA USE ONLY News media is welcome to use my material in connection with a story or article. By downloading any content I create, you understand and hereby agree and represent that: (1) you are a member of the news media; (2) use of the content is in connection with a story or an article appearing in newspapers, periodicals, digital publications or television; (3) all images and rights thereto remain the property Gail Alfar.; and (4) use of the image is not for publication covers, advertising, promotion or otherwise for commercial purposes. Furthermore, use of any and all images and content appearing on this page must each include the notice “Courtesy of Gail Alfar” Use of materials copied from this website is at your own risk. You must obtain prior written consent from Gail Alfar for uses that exceed the above parameters.
It was fun to record pod 82 with a luxury Tesla Model X, this episode also features 6 winning Grok 2 AI images by the famous personality on X @dvorahfr and you will also be treated to seven cool Elon images with the iconic white puffy coat at about 07:50 in the video. Enjoy the ride and the music!
This podcast can be viewed on the X app, click below to view.
It was fun to record pod 82 with a Tesla model X, this also features 6 winning Grok 2 AI images by @dvorahfr and 7 cool Elon images with the iconic white puffy coat at 07:50 in the video. Enjoy 💥🔫 pic.twitter.com/rIwrNPKaII
I invite you to follow this artist from lovely France on X. She will make your heart sing.
Gail Alfar, author. Exclusive to Gail Alfar. All Rights Reserved. My goal as an author and podcaster is to support Tesla (the most American vehicle manufacturer) and Elon Musk in making life better on Earth for humans and becoming a space-fairing civilization.
FOR MEDIA USE ONLY News media is welcome to use my material in connection with a story or article. By downloading any content I create, you understand and hereby agree and represent that: (1) you are a member of the news media; (2) use of the content is in connection with a story or an article appearing in newspapers, periodicals, digital publications or television; (3) all images and rights thereto remain the property Gail Alfar.; and (4) use of the image is not for publication covers, advertising, promotion or otherwise for commercial purposes. Furthermore, use of any and all images and content appearing on this page must each include the notice “Courtesy of Gail Alfar” Use of materials copied from this website is at your own risk. You must obtain prior written consent from Gail Alfar for uses that exceed the above parameters.
For pod 81, we’re experiencing the night lights and magic of Austin on v12.5.1.3 and we’ll visit the new Tesla gallery at the domain.
This podcast can be viewed on the X app, click below to view.
For pod 81, we’re experiencing the night lights and magic of Austin on v12.5.1.3 and we’ll visit the new Tesla gallery at the domain pic.twitter.com/Dc1sA5pIsL
Gail Alfar, author. Exclusive to Gail Alfar. All Rights Reserved. My goal as an author and podcaster is to support Tesla (the most American vehicle manufacturer) and Elon Musk in making life better on Earth for humans and becoming a space-fairing civilization.
FOR MEDIA USE ONLY News media is welcome to use my material in connection with a story or article. By downloading any content I create, you understand and hereby agree and represent that: (1) you are a member of the news media; (2) use of the content is in connection with a story or an article appearing in newspapers, periodicals, digital publications or television; (3) all images and rights thereto remain the property Gail Alfar.; and (4) use of the image is not for publication covers, advertising, promotion or otherwise for commercial purposes. Furthermore, use of any and all images and content appearing on this page must each include the notice “Courtesy of Gail Alfar” Use of materials copied from this website is at your own risk. You must obtain prior written consent from Gail Alfar for uses that exceed the above parameters.
Today we are joined by actor Tony Chung as well as John Stringer and Joseph Jefferson (both presidents of their local Tesla owner clubs) for a great conversation about using Tesla FSD to get to the Los Angeles airport, and how easy it makes the driving experience.
The software is so powerful that it can make the smartest choices in any amount of traffic. No two responses are going to be exactly the same with Tesla AI making on-the-spot choices in how to drive.
We were honored that Tony joined us for this great conversation.
Tony Chung shares a smile and a peace sign, and this embodies how I feel about his warm heart, his friendship, and the great future ahead that I know he has. He’s a part of the Tesla community and has much to offer. I’m also proud of his success in acting. He’s on the series King Fu and check out his bio here.
FOR MEDIA USE ONLY News media is welcome to use my material in connection with a story or article. By downloading any content I create, you understand and hereby agree and represent that: (1) you are a member of the news media; (2) use of the content is in connection with a story or an article appearing in newspapers, periodicals, digital publications or television; (3) all images and rights thereto remain the property Gail Alfar.; and (4) use of the image is not for publication covers, advertising, promotion or otherwise for commercial purposes. Furthermore, use of any and all images and content appearing on this page must each include the notice “Courtesy of Gail Alfar” Use of materials copied from this website is at your own risk. You must obtain prior written consent from Gail Alfar for uses that exceed the above parameters.
Not too long ago I took a road trip using FSD to Louisiana, this would be the first road trip with my new Tesla, which I named Saphire of the Blue Bayou.
When I arrived I was greeted by an alligator statue, and soon after, Tesla FSD took me around Lake Charles (home of many old mansions!).
Welcome to Louisiana on Tesla v12, this is podcast 68… only on 𝕏 00:00 glad you are here! 01:01 clean your screen easily 🌷 LAKE CHARLES, LA 🌷 02:32 fsd v12 at 5x speed 03:30 home restoration pic.twitter.com/DaAaXYehje
After seeing Lake Charles, I headed to meet Johnna Crider, “would you like to go hunt gaters in the morning?” Johnna was up to it so the next day we hopped in blue bayou and guess what?
Tesla FSD took us flawlessly to Mcgee’s alligator tours, and of course while we awaited our tour, Johnna and I shared with the other folks waiting about FSD.
You should have seen the looks we got, it was so much fun to explain it to people unfamiliar with it!
Here’s the alligator hunt video, shared by Johnna Crider.
Gail and I went down da bayou to look for some gators last week.@Tesla’s FSD took us there and back.
FOR MEDIA USE ONLY News media is welcome to use my material in connection with a story or article. By downloading any content I create, you understand and hereby agree and represent that: (1) you are a member of the news media; (2) use of the content is in connection with a story or an article appearing in newspapers, periodicals, digital publications or television; (3) all images and rights thereto remain the property Gail Alfar.; and (4) use of the image is not for publication covers, advertising, promotion or otherwise for commercial purposes. Furthermore, use of any and all images and content appearing on this page must each include the notice “Courtesy of Gail Alfar” Use of materials copied from this website is at your own risk. You must obtain prior written consent from Gail Alfar for uses that exceed the above parameters.
Can Tesla FSD take you all around the Texas Hill Country to see the painted churches?
With Tesla software V12, the safest way to travel around the Texas Hill Country is to use FSD. The roads are narrow, they have unexpected crossroads, and some stop signs are hard to see. I always let Tesla FSD do the driving for me. Come along on a tour of the famous painted churches, located in and around located in the communities of Dubina, High Hill, Moravia, St. John, and Ammannsville. FSD takes us right to their doors!
𝕏 Podcast 65 𝕏 FSD V12 is great in Texas’ rural areas. Tesla autonomy is saving lives. Timestamps: 00:00 Tesla Goat lock sound 00:40 FSD V12 on dirt road 02:18 Painted Churches Tour 03:46 V12 crosses a highway! 04:03 V12 One Lane Weak Bridge 06:13 Thank you, thank you! pic.twitter.com/mqvslkgH1g
FOR MEDIA USE ONLY News media is welcome to use my material in connection with a story or article. By downloading any content I create, you understand and hereby agree and represent that: (1) you are a member of the news media; (2) use of the content is in connection with a story or an article appearing in newspapers, periodicals, digital publications or television; (3) all images and rights thereto remain the property Gail Alfar.; and (4) use of the image is not for publication covers, advertising, promotion or otherwise for commercial purposes. Furthermore, use of any and all images and content appearing on this page must each include the notice “Courtesy of Gail Alfar” Use of materials copied from this website is at your own risk. You must obtain prior written consent from Gail Alfar for uses that exceed the above parameters.
By Gail Alfar October 8, 2023 What’s Up Tesla | Gail’s Tesla Podcast
In the shadow of the horrific October 7th attacks and the escalating conflict that followed, our Texas State Capitol became a focal point for passionate rallies and counter-rallies. Mainstream media headlines often reduce complex human stories to stark binaries. As someone who values truth-seeking—whether covering groundbreaking advancements at Tesla and SpaceX or diving into real-world events—I felt called to do something different: practice a little citizen journalism.
Armed with nothing more than curiosity, respect, and my camera, I headed to the Capitol grounds to have direct conversations with people on the ground. What unfolded was one of the most meaningful and eye-opening experiences I’ve had in a long time.
The Interviews
I spoke with an Israeli man who had lost family members in the attacks. He stood there holding handmade posters featuring photos of the missing and murdered—faces of loved ones last seen near Kibbutz Beeri and other communities near the Gaza border. His pain was raw and visible. He spoke of the personal devastation, the fear, and his hopes for peace even amid unimaginable grief. Seeing the posters up close, reading the names and the desperate “MISSING” signs, brought the human cost into sharp focus in a way no news report ever could.
Then I turned to a Palestinian man who had helped organize the rally that day. Draped in a Palestinian flag and wearing a shirt calling for solidarity with Gaza and an end to the occupation, he shared his perspective on the suffering of his people, the history he carries, and the urgency of the moment. His voice carried the weight of generations of displacement and conflict.
Both conversations were civil, emotional, and deeply human. I didn’t edit for sensationalism or push an agenda—I simply listened. And I learned more in those short exchanges than from hours of cable news. These weren’t abstract “sides.” They were fathers, brothers, sons, and community members carrying real pain, real fears, and real hopes.
You can watch the full, unfiltered interview here:
Citizen Journalism. Meet an Israeli who lost family members and a Palestinian who organized a rally today. Super interesting discussion and interview. I learned a lot. – at Capitol of Texas pic.twitter.com/KJu6bBHXD6
This is the beauty (and responsibility) of citizen journalism. Platforms like X allow ordinary people to capture primary-source conversations and share them directly with the world, bypassing gatekeepers and spin.
Elon Musk’s Reply and the Deeper Truth
Shortly after I posted the video, Elon Musk replied with a simple but profound statement:
“An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind”
His words cut straight to the heart of the matter. I responded in kind:
“as the blind are mopping blood off the floor, the children are asking if they’ll see their fathers again — tragic on both sides”
That exchange stayed with me. It captures the terrible arithmetic of endless retaliation: no one wins, and the most vulnerable—the children on both sides—pay the price in ways that echo for generations. Whether Israeli or Palestinian, no parent should have to explain why their child will never see their father again. No child should grow up asking that question.
The interviews reinforced what I already suspected: there is profound suffering and legitimate grievance on both sides of this conflict. But this was the day after the killing of many Israelis. It seemed very tone deaf to be out there en force to promote Hamas. There are extremists on the left who do not represent the majority of people, but they carry a loud microphone and have a big email list. Hamas’s barbaric attacks must be condemned without hesitation.
An Israeli mourns the loss of his family on Oct 8, 2023, as he talks to Gail AlfarA Palestinian man, Haithem El-Zabri, comes out on Oct 8, 2023 to support Palestine in the face of Hamas murdering Israeli people the day before.
Why This Matters
As the host of Gail’s Tesla Podcast and author at What’s Up Tesla, most of my work focuses on innovation, sustainable energy, space exploration, and the future we’re building. But truth-seeking isn’t limited to technology. It applies to how we understand our fellow human beings, especially when emotions run high and narratives harden. We must understand that there is indeed, especially on college campuses, a war AGAINST American Culture. It is a war that we’ll pay very dearly for if we lose it.
What I witnessed at the Capitol was a microcosm of something larger: people desperate to make a point of supporting Palestine because it is better to have empathy for killers like Hamas even when it is a very normal response to have empathy for the Israeli people and their families who must endure the death of their loved ones. Why can’t Israeli people have their pain acknowledged? I found it painful to see them that day, facing hordes of pro-Hamas college students. It made no sense to me, I was so dismayed at the lack of compassion. Texas showed its best side by protecting free speech that day, allowing these voices to exist in the same public space without descending into chaos.
My hope is simple. May we all find the courage to listen to the pain of Israeli people before we judge. May we see the child asking for their father on either side of this tragedy and recognize that our shared humanity does not mean we ever accept that a culture that would murder gay people and may we remember that revenge only ever leaves more blind people mopping blood off the floor.
Gail Alfar is a Texas-based writer, podcaster, and citizen journalist. Follow her work at whatsuptesla.com and on X @gailalfaratx.
Here’s my 30th Podcast Episode, it’s a flawless drive on FSD beta & one of the best around East/N.Austin. You may notice a large dinosaur model in the podcast. We encountered it outside of Austin’s largest gem and mineral shop!
Here’s my 30th Podcast Episode, it’s a flawless drive on FSD beta & one of the best around East/N.Austin. Video timestamps: 00:00 – intro 00:48 – speeded up city streets 01:18 – four way stop 01:29 – right onto hectic road 02:28 – merge/blend to highway 02:54 – smooth lane… pic.twitter.com/KtNnLQnp3e
Gail Alfar, author. Exclusive to Gail Alfar, 2024 – All Rights Reserved. My goal as an author and podcaster is to support Tesla (the most American vehicle manufacturer) and Elon Musk in both making life better on Earth for humans and becoming a space-fairing civilization.
FOR MEDIA USE ONLY News media is welcome to use my material in connection with a story or article. By downloading any content I create, you understand and hereby agree and represent that: (1) you are a member of the news media; (2) use of the content is in connection with a story or an article appearing in newspapers, periodicals, digital publications or television; (3) all images and rights thereto remain the property Gail Alfar.; and (4) use of the image is not for publication covers, advertising, promotion or otherwise for commercial purposes. Furthermore, use of any and all images and content appearing on this page must each include the notice “Courtesy of Gail Alfar” Use of materials copied from this website is at your own risk. You must obtain prior written consent from Gail Alfar for uses that exceed the above parameters.
Tesla FSD beta has some pretty cool visuals, and this podcast highlights this fact. As we traverse downtown Austin, we are using this amazing autonomous software and enjoying the smooth lane changes and turns. Come along for the ride!
FSD beta is a pleasure to use, even on busy streets. This 27th podcast takes us thru multiple intersections, and down Austin’s famous Seventh Street pic.twitter.com/b9EUjw5H90
Note: This Podcast has an overlaying soundtrack at the end where Jazz music plays.
Gail Alfar, author. Exclusive to What’s Up Tesla – All Rights Reserved. My goal as an author and podcaster is to support Tesla (the most American vehicle manufacturer) and Elon Musk in both making life better on Earth for humans and becoming a space-fairing civilization.
whatsuptesla.com 