99% Invisible: The Power Broker #12 – Robert Caro

Host: Roman Mars
Co-Host: Elliot Kaelin
Special Guest: Robert Caro
Release Date: December 20, 2024

Introduction

[01:03] Roman Mars:
Roman Mars introduces the episode as the final installment of their in-depth exploration of Robert Caro's seminal work, The Power Broker. This episode focuses on chapters 47 through 50, spanning pages 1082 to 1162. He expresses astonishment at reaching the end of such a comprehensive analysis.

[01:31] Roman Mars:
Roman announces the special guest, Robert Caro himself, aiming to gain his perspective on the book's conclusion and its lasting legacy. He recalls key events from previous episodes, including Robert Moses' early defeats and tarnished reputation due to political scandals.

Closing the Book

[02:00] Elliot Kaelin:
Elliot shares his emotional connection to the project, highlighting how deeply the book has integrated into his life over the past year. He expresses both disbelief and excitement about completing the series.

[04:11] Elliot Kaelin:
Elliot provides a disclaimer about his partiality towards the 1939 New York World's Fair, emphasizing that the 1964-1965 Fair, overseen by Robert Moses, lacked the ambition and legacy of its predecessor. He criticizes the fair for not living up to the grandeur of the 1939 event, setting the tone for the discussion on Moses' declining influence.

Robert Moses and the 1964 World's Fair

[05:39] Roman Mars:
Roman dives into the section where Moses takes charge of the 1964 World's Fair. Caro describes Moses' ambition to transform Flushing Meadows from a marshy ash dump into expansive public parks. However, the nature of a World's Fair—temporary and transient—clashed with Moses' vision of lasting infrastructure.

[07:00] Elliot Kaelin:
Elliot elaborates on Moses' strategic use of the Fair to further his park projects, highlighting his disdain for temporary events. Moses' decisions, such as limiting subway access to the Fair to prevent low-income attendance, reflect his overarching control and elitist tendencies.

Mismanagement and Overambition

[12:29] Elliot Kaelin:
Elliot discusses Moses' financial mismanagement of the Fair, noting the overspending and lavish expenditures fueled by his entourage. The Fair's first-year budget doubled due to Moses' unchecked spending, revealing his lack of fiscal restraint when faced with abundant funds.

[14:17] Roman Mars:
Roman draws parallels between Moses' financial imprudence and the behavior of a wealthy individual unaware of money's true value. This period marks a significant shift as Moses begins to spend beyond his means, setting the stage for the Fair's eventual downfall.

Declining Reputation and Financial Crisis

[16:01] Roman Mars:
Despite initial hopes that the Fair would restore Moses' popularity, it backfires, further damaging his reputation. Caro attributes this decline to Moses' inability to manage the Fair effectively, compounded by his simultaneous oversight of multiple large projects.

[21:22] Elliot Kaelin:
Elliot highlights Moses' escalating conflicts with the press, who had grown increasingly hostile. Moses' aggressive responses to criticism alienated potential investors and exacerbated financial troubles, leading to a significant deficit in 1964.

The Collapse of the World's Fair

[24:16] Roman Mars:
As the Fair launches, attendance fails to meet expectations, revealing the underlying financial instability. Moses' inability to attract sufficient visitors results in a substantial deficit, undermining the Fair's viability.

[27:15] Elliot Kaelin:
Elliot explains Moses' mismanagement of advanced ticket sales, misallocating funds to the first year rather than distributing them appropriately across both years. This financial blunder deepens the Fair's monetary woes.

[30:00] Roman Mars:
Roman describes the Fair's eventual financial reckoning in December, where external auditors uncover a significant deficit. Moses' attempts to downplay the situation through charm fail, leading to public and media scrutiny.

Power Struggle and Downfall

[33:42] Roman Mars:
Roman discusses the inevitability of Rockefeller's intervention, positioning him as the final obstacle to Moses' enduring power. This culminates in a high-stakes showdown where Rockefeller leverages familial connections to undermine Moses.

[36:38] Roman Mars:
Caro details the settlement between Rockefeller and Moses, mediated by Chase Bank—Rockefeller's brother's institution. The merger effectively strips Moses of his power, transitioning control to Rockefeller's aide, Ronan.

The Final Chapters: Legacy and Reflection

[80:00] Roman Mars:
The conversation shifts to the concluding chapters of The Power Broker, where Moses grapples with his lost influence and the end of an era. Elliot reflects on Caro's compassionate portrayal of Moses, highlighting the complex humanity behind the formidable public figure.

[93:14] Roman Mars:
Roman and Elliot commend Caro's masterful integration of Moses' personal struggles with his public decline, emphasizing the tragic end of a once-powerful man who can no longer exert his will.

Author's Insight and Conclusion

[117:21] Roman Mars:
Roman interviews Robert Caro, delving into the creation process of The Power Broker. Caro shares pivotal moments that shaped the book's narrative, including Moses' own words that inspired the concluding theme: "Why weren't they grateful?"

[119:15] Roman Mars:
Caro discusses the challenges and emotional toll of chronicling Moses' rise and fall, expressing empathy for the protagonist's plight as his power wanes and his legacy is questioned.

[133:19] Roman Mars:
Roman concludes with a reflection on Caro's influence and the enduring relevance of The Power Broker, drawing parallels to contemporary issues of unchecked power in politics.

Notable Quotes

• Roman Mars [01:20]: "We are finishing the book. If you want to get precise."

• Elliot Kaelin [05:39]: "The legacy of that fair is so much greater than the 64 World's Fair that Moses can oversee, which is, you know, has a certain lack of ambition."

• Elliot Kaelin [12:29]: "In the fair's first cost estimate, there's a line down that just says, miscellaneous $55 million. It's like, all right, it's a pretty big bucket."

• Robert Caro [116:00] (paraphrased): "Unchecked power is a terrible thing. Robert Moses' power for 44 years was largely unchecked in the fields he chose to exercise it."

• Moses [157:06]: "Why weren't they grateful?"

Conclusion

[157:30] Roman Mars:
Roman Mars wraps up the series by celebrating the comprehensive journey through The Power Broker. He commends Robert Caro for his meticulous research and narrative prowess, which has brought to life the intricate story of Robert Moses' rise and fall.

[159:33] Elliot Kaelin:
Elliot expresses deep gratitude for the collaboration and the profound impact the project has had on his understanding of power dynamics and urban development.

[161:58] Roman Mars:
Roman invites listeners to explore further discussions and bonus content, emphasizing the enduring significance of Caro's work and its lessons on power and legacy.

Final Thought:
The Power Broker serves as a timeless exploration of power, ambition, and the human cost of immense influence. Through Roman Mars and Elliot Kaelin's engaging breakdown, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of Robert Moses' complex legacy and the broader implications for urban planning and governance.