I’m not from nyc (though I was born here), but I think part of what feels so dismissive about transplants saying “new york is dead” is that they’re revealing that the only reason they’re here is to consume, and not to give in return. they’re literally parasites.

they’re choosing to ignore that new york, like any city, is a living & breathing place with its own histories & neighborhoods & millions of people who call it home. if you’re living here entirely to consume, it’s worth thinking about how you interact with places more generally.

the act of making a place your home is inherently a two sided relationship. you are getting to benefit from the riches of the history & people who have built this city/town, and in return you should be thinking about what you’re giving back to the place itself.

there’s no such thing as existing in a space passively.