Texts between Uber's Travis Kalanick and Anthony Levandowski are juicy
Uber sounds like a blast to work for, at least if you're cofounder Travis Kalanick and former head of self-driving technology Anthony Levandowski.
They may no longer be at the ride-hailing company, but they're both at the center of a lawsuit with Uber and Google's Waymo. In light of that, we were gifted with 400 text messages between the two former colleagues, IEEE Spectrum reported Tuesday.
The texts reveal details about Uber's regulatory issues with the city of Palo Alto and their potential work with Google. They also reveal the bromance between the two. Indeed, Kalanick allegedly once referred to Levandowski as his "brother from another mother," which Uber investor Benchmark highlighted in their separate lawsuit filed against Kalanick last week.
And here's what we know now, picked from the lawsuit.
Kalanick squeezes people like toothpaste
From March 21, 2016:
I think we're good, I am squeezing our attorneys like toothpaste too. Thanks for pushing it really is helping.
Kalanick is a fan of Uber Eats
From July 25, 2016:
Kalanick: You hungry? ... Can get some uber eats steak and eggs
Levandowski: Yes!
They frequently say "yo" and "jam"
From April 24, 2016:
Kalanick: Also, I think it's better if you get a few hours before getting into the office... Better jams possible late at night so better to optimize for that
From Sept. 28, 2016:
Levandowski: Yo just landed, want to jam last tonight?
They want to take over the world
From Sept. 19, 2016:
Levandowski: We’re going to take over the world
Levandowski: One robot at a time
From Oct. 7, 2016:
Kalanick: Down to hang this eve and mastermind some shit
They do not like Elon Musk
From Sept. 22, 2016:
Levandowski: Yo! I'm back at 80%, super pumped... we’ve got to start calling Elon on his shit. I'm not on social media but let's start "faketesla" and start give physics lessons about stupid shit Elon says
From Oct. 20, 2016:
Levandowski: Last thought, Elon is going to make going to [self driving] not as big of a scary thing for the public... which should be good
Levandowski: Tough crowd...
Levandowski: I'm shocked his stock is down
Levandowski: Elon does have shit
Levandowski: He's trippin' but might/will blame regulatory as to why it's not available
Levandowski: Lol, perception vs reality
Levandowski: We need to bash in this fuckface's head in
Kerry Flynn is a business reporter for Mashable covering the tech industry. She previously reported on social media companies, mobile apps and startups for International Business Times. She has also written for The Huffington Post, Forbes and Money magazine. Kerry studied environmental science and economics at Harvard College, where she led The Harvard Crimson's metro news and design teams and played mellophone in the Band. When not listening to startup pitches, she runs half-marathons, plays with puppies and pretends to like craft beer.
