Last Updated:
YouTuber Ishan Sharma described San Francisco as “the most unsafe place” that he has visited.
Struggles of the ‘utopia of tech capitalism’. (Photo Credits: X)
An Indian YouTuber has posted a worrisome video on X depicting what he described as “zombie-like people” wandering in the streets of San Francisco, U.S. Ishan Sharma’s video has sparked an extensive discussion among users regarding the city’s homeless and drug addiction. Sharma expressed his dismay, stating, “It breaks my heart watching this. This is San Francisco. The tech capital of America. Home to the world’s brightest minds. AND the biggest tech companies”.
The video showcases people who look confused or unable to move, possibly intoxicated. Some are falling over or, in some cases, lying on the ground. Sharma described San Francisco as “the most unsafe place” that he has visited. He observed that “half of the streets are filled with homeless, mentally unstable, high on drugs, or a combination of all”. He said this is a failure of what he called the “utopia of tech capitalism,” asking why these issues persist.
It breaks my heart watching this.💔This is San Francisco.The tech capital of America.Home to the world’s brightest minds.AND the biggest tech companies
Is also the most unsafe place I’ve been to.Half of the streets are filled with:
– homeless– mentally unstable– high on… pic.twitter.com/Ngi78cimdW
— Ishan Sharma (@Ishansharma7390) November 28, 2024
The comments on Sharma’s video were mixed. Some users concurred with his opinion about the shrinking of the tech scene in San Francisco with one of them saying that most start-ups are no longer based in the West Coast city now and have moved to Austin in Texas.
“No it’s not the tech Capital anymore, most of them have already shifted to Austin, Texas, city centres are almost deserted, with properties losing 90% of their value since 2016, San Francisco is not the same anymore”, a comment read.
No its not the tech Capital anymore, most of them have already shifted to Austin, Texas, city centres are almost deserted, with properties losing 90%of their value since 2016, San Francisco is not the same anymore— abhishek shaw (@_Abhishek_Shaw_) November 28, 2024
Some people commented on the psychological state of those shown in the video and wondered why such people are simply not helped through rehabilitation or in any other way.
“Why aren’t they inside prisons or rehab centres?” a user asked.
Why aren’t they inside prisons or rehab centres?— Avijeet | Personal Branding Strategist (@avijeet_writes) November 28, 2024
Another person highlighted, “For curious people here, it’s fentanyl + horse tranquilliser that causes the zombie effect.”
For curious people here, it’s fentanyl+horse tranquilizer that causes zombie effect— Nikhil Singh (@singh__n) November 28, 2024
“But this perspective misses the bigger picture. Just because a place is “tech capital” or “western” doesn’t mean it’s perfect or free from social issues”, a user stated.
But this perspective misses the bigger picture. Just because a place is “tech capital” or “western” doesn’t mean it’s perfect or free from social issues.And why is it breaking your heart, by the way?
— Shailendra Singh (@shailendra_1701) November 28, 2024
This portrayal coheres to other remarks from some prominent personalities of the city, including Elon Musk, who described contact with the “violent, drug zombies.”
During an October interview with Tucker Carlson, Musk shared his concerns towards San Francisco. His comments reflected a growing concern for the nuisances related to homelessness and drug cases that have lately become rampant in the city. He said that one can walk in the streets of San Francisco and easily meet people with aggressive conduct or people with severe substance use disorder, describing them as having “dead eyes” and being associated with needles and human waste on the streets.
