The State of New York is running fatuous, who gives a shit “institutional advertising” on TV. Gist?
We used to be great. We did X, Y, Z. But now people are saying that we’ve lost it. They’re wrong! [paraphrase]
OK. So what wonderful things did New York accomplish in the past? Among them…
We built the greatest empires. [direct quote]
Did that pass in one ear and out the other? If so, grab the trailing string before it disappears and pull the sentence back into your brain for processing. Think about it! In doing do, remember that New York has indeed identified itself as “the empire state.” Thus the name of the Empire State Building. (See below.)
But are empires good things? In the ads, New York proposes returning to imperial primacy by encouraging businesses to locate there. WTF! The businesses on Wallstreet in New York City are already a coalition of empires. But these are empires that destroy jobs rather than creating them.
This ad might be very successful. How would I know? Not my scholarly specialization. But I’m absolutely certain the ad is intended for fans of “short attention span, don’t really think” theater.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Chrysler Building on the left, Empire State Building on the right.
I took the photo on the left, don’t know who took the photo on right. (Credit when I do know.)
Multi-valient symbolism of each perfectly obvious!
“Mine is bigger than yours, dude!”
Remotely relevant disclaimer!
Big rivalry between two Art Deco buildings: The Chrysler Building and The Empire State Building. The former was financed by a single businessman and his company and investors. The latter was financed by a consortium of businessmen. From my POV the differences (including the designer of The Chrysler Building, William Van Allen) are important but too complicated to be addressed here. Wait for it! 
The two skyscrapers were being built at the same time, and the goal of each project was to erect the tallest building in the world. BFD! Nevertheless, the contest did inspire two amusing stunts. The Chrysler Building? The tower was built in secrecy, inside the structure, and then hoisted up overnight and attached in a flash. Take that, Empire State Building!
Alas, the opposing consortium took it and then trumped it. They went up a couple of more stories and then added their own tower. But here’s the funny part. The tower atop The Empire State Building was promoted — seriously! — as a mooring station for dirigibles, allowing passengers to disembark in midtown New York. They tried it a time or two, but of course it was preposterous from the get-go. Cripes! Have you ever visited the top observation deck of that building? (Needless to say, this stunt was attempted before the immolation of the Hindenburg.)
Yeah, here’s the disclosure. I tipped my hand at the beginning of the last paragraph with that “Alas.” I think both structures are truly wonderful exemplars of the Art Deco style. You visit New York? Then try to include a visit to both in your itinerary.
Whoa! I just thought of this. The Empire State Building is stiff, angular, and tight-assed. (Remind you of any current presidential candidate?) The Chrysler Building is organic rather than geometric. I respect the achievement of the former, but love the latter.
Yes, I know. The Chrysler Building incorporates both the latest technology of its day, and explicit symbolism like “hubcaps.” But listen! [Figuratively. ] A treasured sculpture in the corner of our living room portrays an organic figure/leaping-aspiring toward the stars. But the sculpture is all metal, welded and brazed from a multitude of stiff metallic parts. It’s not about the component parts, though. It’s about the humanity and the human aspiration toward the stars.
