Summary of "The Power Broker #11: Brennan Lee Mulligan" – 99% Invisible

Release Date: November 15, 2024

In this episode of 99% Invisible, host Roman Mars, alongside co-host Elliot Kalin, delves deep into "The Power Broker" by Robert Caro, focusing on chapters 42 through 46. This segment chronicles the decline of Robert Moses, a towering figure in New York City's infrastructure development, and explores the intricate interplay between power, media, and public opinion. The episode features a special guest, Brennan Lee Mulligan, a comedian and Dungeon Master for Dropout TV's Dimension 20, who draws parallels between Moses' story and his own creative endeavors.

Recap of Previous Chapters (42-46)

Brennan Lee Mulligan begins by summarizing the prior episodes' focus on Robert Moses' relentless expansion of New York City's infrastructure, often at the expense of communities and public spaces. He highlights Moses' refusal to incorporate mass transit, leading to a car-centric cityscape riddled with traffic congestion.

[02:14] Brennan Lee Mulligan: "So last time on the 99% visible breakdown of the Power Broker, Robert Caro went into incredible detail about how Robert Moses refused to include mass transit as part of his transportation plans and it doomed New York to a future choked with cars and traffic."

Chapter 42: Tavern in the Town

The discussion kicks off with Chapter 42, titled "Tavern in the Town," which narrates Moses' controversial decision to replace the Sheep Meadow in Central Park with the upscale Tavern on the Green and an accompanying parking lot.

[04:07] Brennan Lee Mulligan: "So we start here with chapter 42, Tavern in the Town, which chronicles probably one of the lesser crimes of Robert Moses, but still makes a good story."

This move incites opposition from local mothers and families who cherish the glen as a communal play area. The discovery of blueprints revealing Moses' plans leads to a public outcry, capturing media attention due to its relatable and emotional narrative.

[08:33] Roman Mars: "Yes, it shows you the importance of a story, as we'll see, like the importance of a narrative, that it is hard to convince people with a lot of numbers, but it is much easier to convince people when you got moms and kids versus bulldozers."

Media's Role in Moses' Downfall

As protests against Moses gain momentum, Reporters Gene Gleason and Fred J. Cook begin investigating the man behind the power. Their efforts unveil corruption within Moses' Title I Slum Clearance program, revealing how slum areas were unjustly demolished and marginalized communities displaced without proper rehousing.

[23:55] Roman Mars: "Yeah, he's just like, it's like an infection. Like the mothers and the images of the cute kid with the air rifle and stuff like that, they sort of make a little cut and then all of a sudden this type of thing, which normally wouldn't cause him any problems whatsoever, there's just enough damage there to infect and sort of get him off of his normal game when it comes to this stuff."

Despite initial resistance from established media outlets like The New York Times, the persistent reporting by Gleason and Cook begins to erode Moses' once untouchable reputation.

Chapter 43: Late Arrival

Chapter 43, titled "Late Arrival," introduces the emergence of younger, more idealistic reporters who are unafraid to challenge Moses. These new voices break through the media's longstanding deference to Moses, bringing to light various forms of corruption and favoritism linked to him.

[36:05] Roman Mars: "And it takes a lot of work to get them to that point. And the work of a group of reporters that Caro really has a lot of fun writing about."

The Rise of Governor Nelson Rockefeller

With Nelson Rockefeller ascending to the governorship in 1959, a significant power struggle ensues. Rockefeller, backed by the affluent and influential Rockefeller family, poses a formidable challenge to Moses' dominance. Their interactions become increasingly confrontational, culminating in Moses attempting to leverage his resignation to force Rockefeller’s hand.

[108:33] Roman Mars: "This is it. And so, yeah, the Nelson here, as you said, Nelson Rockefeller in 1959, he is the new New York governor. And Nelson Rockefeller, Caro tells us he's a little different from the previous governors that Moses has dealt with."

Rockefeller’s strategic approach and vast resources eventually lead to Moses relinquishing his city posts, signaling the end of an era.

[122:12] Roman Mars: "And this is the beginning of. It's. You know, you hear people say that things change very slowly and then suddenly, very fast, and that this is the slower part of that change. And then the chapter after it, which we'll end this episode with, is the fast change."

Brennan Lee Mulligan’s Creative Parallel

Bringing a unique twist to the episode, Brennan Lee Mulligan discusses how Robert Moses inspired his portrayal of a villain in Dimension 20's season "The Unsleeping City." Mulligan reimagines Moses as an undead entity wielding the Highway Hex, a magical construct akin to ley lines that protects his power by reshaping the city's infrastructure to thwart external threats.

[137:00] Brennan Lee Mulligan: "So, Brennan created the Unsleeping City and made the main villain a fictionalized magical Robert Moses."

This creative reinterpretation underscores the enduring legacy of Moses' real-life strategies of power consolidation and manipulation.

[144:25] Roman Mars: "You could look at the power broker as kind of a real world version of all the things that happened with Sauron before the Lord of the Rings, all the things that happened in the past where he amasses this power because of secret knowledge and because of the artifacts of that power, and then has this period of dominance and then has his downfall more because of his own overreaching than because of anything else."

Insights and Conclusions

The episode culminates in reflecting on Robert Moses' fall from power, emphasizing the critical role of a vigilant and dynamic press in challenging entrenched authority. It highlights how Moses, once deemed indispensable, was ultimately undone by the very structures he built and the evolving landscape of media scrutiny.

[123:36] Roman Mars: "And Caro says so. Previously his power came from popularity and money. The popularity is long gone. It didn't matter because the money remains. Now he's lost most of that."

Brennan Lee Mulligan provides a compelling analogy between urban power structures and fantastical narratives, illustrating how storytelling can illuminate the complexities of real-world power dynamics.

[149:22] Roman Mars: "But what he's got an accomplished. So we're going to meet someone in the next chapter who's a very fun person to talk about, who is going to be a little bit more than Moses can handle."

Notable Quotes

• Brennan Lee Mulligan (04:07):

  "So we start here with chapter 42, Tavern in the Town, which chronicles probably one of the lesser crimes of Robert Moses, but still makes a good story."

• Roman Mars (08:33):

  "Yes, it shows you the importance of a story, as we'll see, like the importance of a narrative, that it is hard to convince people with a lot of numbers, but it is much easier to convince people when you got moms and kids versus bulldozers."

• Brennan Lee Mulligan (23:55):

  "There's just enough damage there to infect and sort of get him off of his normal game when it comes to this stuff."

• Brennan Lee Mulligan (144:25):

  "So if you build, it's like when people are seeking a stimulus, you know, it's like it would be."

Conclusion

In this episode, 99% Invisible masterfully intertwines the historical narrative of Robert Moses' rise and fall with contemporary storytelling through Dimension 20. The discussion underscores the significance of media in shaping public perception and dismantling power, while also celebrating creative reinterpretations that bring historical figures into new, imaginative contexts.

Listeners are encouraged to engage with Robert Caro's "The Power Broker" to gain deeper insights into the complexities of urban planning, power dynamics, and the relentless pursuit of ambition.