Cities have a unique persistence that distinguishes them from individuals. Unlike people, whose lives are shaped by their immediate circumstances and eventual demise, cities can continue to exist long after the significance of their original purpose has faded. This resilience allows them to adapt and evolve, even when the reasons for their founding and existence have disappeared.
The quote by John Updike in "Trust Me" highlights this enduring nature of cities, emphasizing how they remain as entities despite changes around them. While individuals may be tied to their personal journeys, cities embody a collective history and can endure shifts in function and meaning, continually redefining themselves within the ever-changing landscape of life.