NYC Dispatch Reflects on Books, Chains, and the Power of Powerlessness

A recent visit to New York City prompts reflections on the state of contemporary American life.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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A recent trip to New York City led the author to reflect on the prevalence of luxury storefronts around Trump Tower, the ubiquity of chain businesses like Pret a Manger, and the apparent decline in the number of New Yorkers reading books and newspapers in public. The author revisited Vaclav Havel's "The Power of the Powerless" and William James' pragmatist philosophy, considering how systems built on deception and the pursuit of "practical cash-value" may shape our understanding of concepts like freedom and democracy in contemporary society.

Why it matters

The author's observations highlight broader trends in American life, from the influence of former President Trump's aesthetic preferences to the homogenization of urban landscapes by chain businesses. The reflections on Havel and James' philosophical works prompt deeper consideration of how individuals navigate and potentially resist systems built on falsehoods.

The details

During a recent visit to New York City, the author noted the prevalence of luxury storefronts around Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, offering insight into the origins of the former president's aesthetic. The author also felt a sense of suffocation amidst the numerous chain businesses - Cavas, Pret a Mangers, and Shake Shacks - raising questions about whether these establishments are a nuisance or necessary infrastructure. A striking observation was the apparent decline in the number of New Yorkers reading books and newspapers in public, contrasting with the author's previous visits and the perception of Los Angeles as a city that doesn't read.

  • The author's recent visit to New York City prompted these reflections.
  • Vaclav Havel's "The Power of the Powerless" was published in 1978.
  • The author revisited William James' 1906-1907 lectures on pragmatist philosophy.

The players

Vaclav Havel

A Czech playwright, essayist, poet, dissident and politician who served as the last president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic. His 1978 essay "The Power of the Powerless" is a seminal work on the nature of totalitarian regimes and the role of individuals within them.

William James

An American philosopher and psychologist, often referred to as the "father of American psychology". He was a leading proponent of the philosophical movement of pragmatism, which emphasizes the practical implications of concepts and ideas.

Donald Trump

The 45th president of the United States, known for his distinctive aesthetic preferences and the prevalence of his brand in luxury storefronts.

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The takeaway

The author's reflections on the state of contemporary American life, from the influence of former President Trump's aesthetic preferences to the homogenization of urban landscapes by chain businesses, prompt deeper consideration of how individuals navigate and potentially resist systems built on falsehoods. The insights drawn from Havel and James' philosophical works offer a framework for understanding the subtle ways in which individuals can become complicit in maintaining deceptive systems through passive acceptance.