Whitehead explores the complex relationship between New York City and its inhabitants. He begins by examining the various reasons that people come to the city, whether by birth, for work, or drawn by its mythical status. Whitehead suggests that one becomes a true New Yorker when they start referencing past incarnations of the city, such as mentioning businesses that used to occupy current storefronts.

The author posits that each person constructs their own version of New York from their first encounter with the city. This personal New York is built from memories and experiences, creating a unique perspective that may differ significantly from others’. Whitehead uses his own first memory of the city, riding the subway as a child in the 1970s, to illustrate this point.

Whitehead argues that one’s perception of the city is shaped by the era in which they arrive. He notes that different generations might refer to the same building by different names, each insisting on the correctness of their version. This leads to a discussion about the subjective nature of New York’s history, with Whitehead suggesting that only personally witnessed events truly form part of one’s New York experience.