What I Saw as a Fake Billionaire | Fakes, Frauds and Scammers

Andi Schmied pretended to be a billionaire to infiltrate NYC’s most exclusive and expensive homes, which only cater to the unbelievably wealthy and privileged.
Touring homes up to $85 million, she wanted to see and photograph how the 1% of the 1% lives in one of the most iconic and expensive cities in the world.
To do so, she had to transform herself from an artist into a convincing billionaire almost overnight. But while snapping 25 penthouses she discovered a world of high-rise apartments sitting empty in a city facing a housing crisis.
00:00 Intro
01:00 Why I Wanted Access to NYC's Penthouses
04:31 Transforming Myself into a Billionaire
05:07 Touring Luxury Homes up to $85 Million
07:13 New York's Housing Crisis
08:45 The 'Soulless' High-Rise Apartments
Watch more like this:
How I Stole $2.8M as a Teenager
• How I Stole $2.8M as a...
How We Staged a UFO Hoax
• How We Staged a UFO Ho...
My Wife Hired a Hitman So I Faked My Death
• My Wife Hired a Hitman...
Click here to subscribe to VICE: bit.ly/Subscribe-to-VICE
About VICE:
The Definitive Guide To Enlightening Information. From every corner of the planet, our immersive, caustic, ground-breaking and often bizarre stories have changed the way people think about culture, crime, art, parties, fashion, protest, the internet and other subjects that don't even have names yet. Browse the growing library and discover corners of the world you never knew existed. Welcome to VICE.
Connect with VICE:
Check out our full video catalog: bit.ly/VICE-Videos
Videos, daily editorial and more: vice.com
More videos from the VICE network: www. vicevideo
Click here to get the best of VICE daily: bit.ly/1SquZ6v
Like VICE on Facebook: vice
Follow VICE on Twitter: / vice
Follow us on Instagram: / vice
The VICE KZbin Network:
VICE: / vice
MUNCHIES: / munchies
VICE News: / vicenews
VICELAND: / vicelandtv
Broadly: / broadly
Noisey: / noisey
Motherboard: / motherboardtv
VICE Sports: / noc
i-D: / idmagazine
Waypoint: / waypointvice

[@VICE]

¿Quieres ver el video en español? Haz clic en el botón de configuración para cambiar la pista de audio. Want to watch this in Spanish? Head over to the settings button to change the audio track.

[@gmenezesdea]

This is the first time I come across a youtube video with different audio tracks/dubbing. I'm impressed that it'd never ocurred to me this option could even exist.

[@Rezoluzion]

It's a relatively new option (I think) and obviously most people probably don't have the time/budget to create multiple audio tracks. @@gmenezesdea

[@flannelsone1159]

​@@gmenezesdeaMaybe they dubbed it before but for vice español

[@gluecksdrache2054]

Just a question to the great video: Is it really necessary that you have a music carpet in the background? I think this is annoying.

[@santamototla]

El doblaje en español está horrendo, mejor me hubieras dicho que estaba en inglés.

[@donparkison4617]

The most telling thing is that the more outlandish her behavior, the more the agents believed that she was ultra rich. Its because those people are completely detached from reality and insulated from consequence.

[@user-qi4iq7bn7e]

so true

[@erikaweber_]

Yep. They don't follow the rules or "standard" behaviours - those are for peasants like us. Rich people make their own rules

[@beautybonvoyage8624]

Not just that, it says that they don't care what other people think of them...poorer people are more conscious of other folks opinions...a part of being successful at time sis going against the grain and doing your own thing even if it doesn't make sense to others...It's not just about consequence there's consequence to everything, science provides that as ultimate law...but these folks are operating completely differently. I would have loved to know ALL of what she did that made her seem richer...that part is something study and is quite fascinating. But that man and his narration about daughter speaking hungarian...lolz....I would be CRACKING UP and rolling on the floor laughing.

[@donnahadana3812]

@@beautybonvoyage8624 such a great observation.

[@Chill-Pill]

And most likely mentally ill at some level without much of a conscience.

[@Benoitlechasseur]

They actually trick you into thinking this is the "best view" money can buy. The best view is surrounded by nature, not concrete.

[@kato_dsrdr]

Cities and natures got their own beauty.

[@pqripper]

ths an opinion g

[@ramixpAPEX]

Imagine believing that being isolated in your millions of dollars home is the best investment and not realizing the best view is actually free. For instance, walking outside interacting with nature.

[@mneech609]

Nah, everyone loved being on the top. Underground is cool too

[@dbgrfdg]

@giodnfldfnnf everything more than 2 blocks away is a 30+min car drive in NYC

[@wearesatellites91]

The part about the skyscrapers stealing sunlight from everyone else felt like the perfect metaphor for the relationship between billionaires and the rest of us.

[@cinziam457]

Meanwhile MAGA vote for Trump who has only cut taxes for the rich. Jeff Bezos paid less in taxes than the average middle class family.

[@everthealtruist]

The Simpsons called that one.

[@Netti103]

I lived in the wealthy Annapolis MD for many years. One day we took a water taxi tour of all the rich homes and I will Never forget the guide saying “the larger the home, the less it is used”…. That one sentence changed my life outlook forever.

[@rufuspipemos]

Her mention at the end about shadows cast by buildings where the rich don't even live impacting everyday people for me was the most profound thing in this video.

[@sonnyg98]

the rich work and are responsible.the poor love being lazy and have kids they can´t feed, much less offer a good future.so to eat these will become criminals.

[@Mz2Much2You]

😢💯💯💯

[@RenaldMusic]

Aahh Shade !! So scary 😑😒

[@CrystalizedTofu]

@@RenaldMusic it's a metaphor 😒

[@TheAnantaSesa]

@@RenaldMusicyes in the winter. Ice won't melt.

[@lindseyaliceford]

I love how she made it a point talking about the large shadows these buildings cast. Never thought about that. Taking away the sunlight

[@staceyshere]

I always think about this especially when I'm in the city and that's why I'm growing more and more annoyed that buildings are going up all over NYC especially where there are residential one family houses

[@morganw2492]

Yup. Over on Brooklyn we managed to successfully fight off one that was going to kill the wonderful Brooklyn Botanic Garden by taking most of its light. But it took a LOT of community pushback

[@gnarbeljo8980]

Huge topic in architecture and urban planning/development. NYC is one of the few western great cities that puts no limits on these things.

[@brandall101]

@@gnarbeljo8980 Right, I remember when San Diego's small downtown was going through a building boom in the early 2000s that sunlight corridors was something that was stressed in the planning. Tall buildings that took up whole blocks had to reduce footprint progressively at certain elevations. I stayed in one for a few years on the 25th floor and there were only 7 units on our floor, and they weren't particularly big (900-1400 sqft).

[@gnarbeljo8980]

@@brandall101 wind is another huge aspect. Building tall and densely has a massive impact, creates microclimates on the ground. Beein to areas where they got it wrong and the street became a windtunnel. I love NY and have stayed high up at The Standard with spectacular views, but I wouldn't want to live like that. Too claustrophobic fish tank like for me.

[@drsnooz8112]

As a former high-end carpenter, I often marveled at how people with money invariably build fantastically expensive, utterly cold and desolate spaces. You look at one of their kitchens and think, "Where are the glasses?" There's no way to tell. It's an inscrutable mystery. You look at the living room and, think "where do I sit?" And the truth is that there's nowhere to sit. You dare not fart in one of those homes, or stink up the bathroom, or so much as give your kid a box of crayons, much less allow a bout of stomach flu to run its course. They aren't homes. They're mausoleums. Beautiful, ornate, cold and lifeless. They are places for the bodies whose souls died (or were sold) long ago. There is nothing there worth desiring.

[@robertrac5825]

Beautiful comment.

[@chrisjohnston7403]

Very well said.

[@robinabernathy2829]

"High end carpenter". What the hell does that mean? You either can do the job or you can't.

[@chrisjohnston7403]

@@robinabernathy2829 So, you're saying every carpenter has the exact same skill level? LOL. There are different levels of carpenters, starting with newly trained carpenters through master carpenters, who have many years of experience and skill. Only an ignorant person would think in black and white terms of "you either can do the job or you can't" What a stupid comment.

[@intpleb4206]

@@robinabernathy2829 It's means he's not a mom and pop shop bro in overalls that builds simple tables and shelves. He's a skilled artisan that can build complex, cold, beautiful works of art for the super rich.

[@motherreeder1215]

There's something unsettling about how the realator was talking to her. Just creepy. I'm getting major dystopian vibes. I know probably not everybody shares the same opinion about this, but I feel like there's something messed up about paying billions to live at the top of a souless empty building suffocated in the middle of an overcrowded city blocking out the sun. Is it just me?

[@msfundio]

Like she said, they don't actually live in it, most of the time. But the creepy realtor was acting as if she would. Her kids would be running around (in the apartment? in the streets hundreds of meters below?) speaking Hungarian.

[@shamrockwhite]

​@@msfundioits crazy that they dont live in it. I am from the caribbean, i once wanted to live in America like that, but i visited new york and realized, nope, i prefer to visit these places and come back to trees, animals, birds, the sun, my yard, farms, streams, fresh air, quiet, islands etc. I have developed an appreciation for my home. People run away from the caribbean for a "better life" and its sad because there is nothing better than peace and nature. Even tho we have poverty, we dont have to. People just want to be rich, they can live in nature and live minimal out here, they just dont want to.

[@chudchukahoon]

@@shamrockwhiterighty said. People just want to be rich, all their life they chase meaningless things

[@lizcasanova951]

No. Not just you. It is unsettling.

[@Eva22275]

I agree, very creepy. Just so unnatural and yes, major dystopian vibes. Why is this even a thing

[@raphaeldouglas9361]

Most people are taught that "you only need a good job to become rich". These billionaires are operating on a whole other playbook that many don't even know exists.

[@eliotbrown5977]

No one is stopping you from having brilliant ideas and starting a company

[@robmicheal2597]

@@eliotbrown5977 most billionaires have family that are extremely wealthy and their children, who have done nothing to earn that money apart from being born. Essentially they are hording wealth and their not being taxed appropriately. It's extremely unlikely you'll become a billionaire from a good idea this is evident in the population of billionaires in comparison to normal people. The American dream isn't real and it never was.

[@yennhi3377]

@@robmicheal2597 yeah just that I can't get a millionaire loan from my dad like Jeff bezos, or my family can't afford to pay harvard like Bill Gates family

[@sashabondarev7357]

@James Rico Yeah! I agree with you sir.If you want to be successful have the mindset of the rich, spend less and invest More. Don't give up your dreams.

[@broucherjosh8421]

@@sashabondarev7357 Most People intend to chase money more than knowledge and that will damage your progress, trust me. Chase knowledge first and I promise! The money will follow you just like it's following some of us now.

[@NettyB]

There’s something dystopian about mostly empty luxury buildings surrounded by rats and squalor. Love her work!

[@Carmen4ever]

Very dystopian, so crazy how it’s happening in our most productive, wealthy cities - New York, Los Angeles.

[@illuminaughtiiisalardanus]

You do know most of those empty ones are owned and used to dodge taxes by these people.

[@ragdollrose2687]

It's obscene. My appartment barely has a floor and I fear the balcony might collapse because of how unkempt the building is. And I'm actually lucky just to have an appartement I can * usually * afford cause finding a place to stay period is a challenge in itself rn. And that's in Canada where we're supposed to be more protected by our government

[@_ee75]

@@Carmen4ever your sentence is exactly whats wrong the cities are so PRODUCTIVE how could anyone think that something like this could happen :OOOO bro come on

[@Carmen4ever]

@@_ee75 these cities make BILLIONS of dollars, you can argue whatever you want bruh but Los Angeles, New York, honey look at the numbers they make us the most money, so I’m not sure what the problem is with my comment lmaoo did it bug ya that I have so many likes?

[@chadotem1889]

To say that this whole situation has an ominous dystopian feeling is underselling it... I visited NYC back in the summer of 2015 and in every corner, every alley, basically everywhere, there were homeless people. Some were holding signs that say "They wouldn't give me a job" or "I'm trying to find a job, please" but there was this one sign b a homeless woman that caught my eye at the time. And it never left my memory. The sign said "America has failed me, dare to hear me?". I saw that sign and sat down with the woman, offered her some of my soup as we talked about her difficulties. She said she was in the army, served in Iraq as a medic. She had to come back home due to her injuries in hopes that the government would take care of her. But they didn't. Her leg had to be cut with an operation and government still asked for money. She then said that she reached out to VA's, but they didn't help her at all saying that her injuries and her debt had nothing to do with her time in service. So, with both government and VA turned their backs to her, she paid her bills with the money she saved for her child when she has one, in the future. Then she begun to look for a job but most of the establishments would frown when they heard she was in the military. With nothing else and no hope in sight, she said she turned to VA again, for job. But she still got refused and rejected. It's heartbreaking to say the least, to see and hear all these people when the U.S. government keeps putting hundreds of millions of dollars into defense contracts and fights in "wars" that has nothing to do with them... But hey, American Dream right? What a joke!

[@ccycomeoriginal]

Very interesting story ... we never know what is the reason that people live in the strees some are because of drugs, some others because of the economy ..maybe one led to the other... we have to be more empathetic

[@James-jg9yj]

nobody refuses to give you a job just because you were a medic in the military. you were lied to sorry.

[@waverider6133]

Hmmm. This sounds very fishy. She doesn’t seem like a veteran. They would have put her on disability. Also the VA would have offered voc rehab. Moreover, TAPS/GPS is a congressionally mandated course to attend; she would have learn of her education, employment and medical options. I’m sorry, as a veteran, I can sense stolen valor a mile away. That homeless woman wasn’t a veteran

[@cemetarybug]

this country truly is a joke.

[@vfcponce222]

@@waverider6133yeah I agree. The VA actually does help, they have to. Either she lied or didn’t call the correct number and gave up right away.

[@hippiehillape]

I live on a mountain in the southern Appalachians near the Smokies. In a 600sq' glorified shack I built myself for less than 25k I share a property line with the Nantahala national forest. My view is incredible. Nothing but mountains layered to the horizon.

[@ThatGuy-oc4mv]

That’s the good life brother

[@grantwithers]

yeah my parents house in wytheville va had a ridiculously better view than that metropolitan view. And their house ran 100k when built in beginning of 80's. Worth like 230k (heavy renovated) today.

[@KulturanCov]

It is ridiculous that so many people had to give up their access to sunny views of the outdoors so some of the elite can have access to ultra luxury places that they don't even occupy. How crazy. In Japan, it has been illegal for DECADES to put up a building that would block your neighbor's access to sunlight. That shows where our priorities are in this nation. All about the money.

[@SweetandFitting]

Yeah but Japan has some horrible priorities too. They have a 99% conviction rate because they'll hold a suspect indefinitely and subject them to mentally torturous interrogation every day until they confess to a crime they didn't even commit. There is a class of person that is more or less untouchable in the Indian cast system sense. There is a lot more racism and xenophobia in Japan, generally, although it doesn't go to the same extremes that it does in the West quite so often, they have a six week work day and if you take any of your legally entitled holiday time you're looked down upon and treated as a really lazy person. It isn't all sunshine and roses over there and I know you're not saying it is, in fact I agree it's a positive policy to have, but Japan is pretty messed up too.

[@tiii4017]

@@SweetandFitting yeah japan is a nice looking place but it has some fucked up things going on too.. every country has something like that.

[@BS.-.-]

These people live in NYC..there not there for sun lite..if they wanted that they would live in "southern NY" aka Florida.

[@tiii4017]

@@BS.-.- or texas or any other place

[@jamesniesuchouski9373]

It’s all About the Benjamin’s baby

[@nikkimunir]

The idea that these empty buildings are robbing others of sunlight really struck me. How sad. Thank you for doing this project and sharing! This was a really special watch.

[@stonersiren]

their fault for living in nyc

[@istvanpraha]

People here in NYC don't like "NIMBY." That term used to mean something. Now it means "how dare you have an opinion on what happens around you!" So we end up tolerating garbage like this because it's republican or something to want views and space and low crime.

[@Mallchad]

It's something that really grates on you if you spend too much time in the inner city... It's especially bad for the people living on the lower floors. You end up subconsciously wanting to pick a higher floor just so you can get some sun in the morning...

[@cherokeechosenone]

@@Mallchadword !! I moved from nyc just so I can be closer to nature

[@yaroslavromanyuk5669]

Yeah, suburbs are the only way.

[@AwokenEntertainment]

what shocks me most about this video is that so many of those places sit vacant!! 😯

[@lillyvgutierrez9685]

Well made for the 1%

[@workinprogress3609]

The Chinese bought them up because their monetary system is so corrupt. I image they are trying to dump them now that our money is becoming worthless.

[@01happykat]

Vacant: The best word I'd use to describe New York. I lived there 7.5 years and would never return. Those characterless, lifeless buildings with the views reminds me of all that I hated about that place. Nope. I'd never live in one of those units, and I'd never return to that awful city. Life is much, much better nearly everywhere else.

[@amattes1960]

I live in a suburb with lots of vacant mansions. Real estate is used by rich Chinese to park their money where their government can't get at it.

[@rkbholding8086]

@@lillyvgutierrez9685 It stopped being exclusive as soon as it was desecrated

[@user-rg6pz7ev9y]

that real estate agent voiceover sounds like an ad n a dystopian movie 😂

[@AI-Cyrax]

Haha yes!

[@goldrecordsvideos]

Its wild that looking at a view of buildings is considered extreme luxury

[@MrSupernova111]

Its a metaphorical way to say that owning one of those penthouses is equivalent to being on top of society.

[@user-dq2ym1nn9k]

so claustrophic. Also devoid of nature. sad lives

[@cieltheeditor7922]

Fr. I would feel so trapped lol

[@danieldaniels7571]

Seems hideous to me too. I prefer the view from my cheap apartment of my nice green street with loads of mature trees.

[@user-dq2ym1nn9k]

@@181cameron surrrrre...just like watching a nature documentary on your 40ft tall tv screen!

[@nuanceDD]

My cousin is an architect in NYC. He told me there is no practical way to build the garbage shoots in those buildings that have a single unit on each floor without the garbage going into free fall (120 mph) so the other residents hear garbage flying past their $50,000,000 apartments and exploding into a dumpster on the bottom.

[@mdishuge]

I’m in the construction industry and your cousin is 100% correct!

[@kleinfaf]

that is actually hilarious - thank you for that insight :D

[@Trollinskyy]

Seems like something that could be mitigated, either by the building or resident with some sound proofing material

[@patrickarsenault5201]

what garbage ? you need people live there to have that

[@sequoiablackwood]

@@patrickarsenault5201 touche' 😊. You are 100% correct. Problem solved.

[@Discordadmin2024]

I live in SF and I believe that we just passed a law that taxes the empty buildings as an incentive to rent out the totally empty buildings.

[@WiolciaMrozowska531]

John Desmond Heppolette's approach is pivotal for achieving success in the realm of online commerce. His management group has showcased outstanding effectiveness, and I also value the content available on his KZbin channel....

[@WiolciaMrozowska531]

he's mostly on Telegrams, using the user name.

[@WiolciaMrozowska531]

Johndeshep934

[@WiolciaMrozowska531]

He is verified

[@henmich]

I always suspected these buildings sat empty. There is NO way there are that many people that can afford to live like that.

[@InquisitiveUniverse]

There's so many empty houses hoarded by the rich for profit while homelessness is on the rise.

[@CRASS2047]

It’s not that they don’t get purchased, it’s that they are usually only used once or twice a year as a second or third home.

[@IRLSuperb]

Look at 10:16 They are owned but no one lived in them. Usually, they work as “wealth preservation” because real estate doesn’t lose value like stocks or other traded assets do.

[@VoluntaristSociety]

@@IRLSuperb Fed printing money for stimmy checks causes capitol to flood into assets, eg real estate. Why are we blaming people for doing the right thing, while ignoring why they are forced to do so?

[@InquisitiveUniverse]

@@VoluntaristSociety Stacy didn't blame anyone tho. She corrected that guy above her.

[@jip230]

A lot of people don't understand it - but these buildings are never intended to be lived in. They are purely a piggy bank for money, laundering money or investments. There are stories of some of these buildings essentially falling apart when people try to live in them - elevators failing, fixtures coming apart because they are not well constructed. They're basically beautiful junk

[@american236]

If this is TRUE where did you get this information?

[@ivanvalera3250]

@@american236 why do you think oligarchs got billions of dollars worth of pent house sweets in the u.s to hide and launder their money

[@pokene_pokemon]

@@american236 it’s true a similar to luxury art. Not impressive or worth looking at/using. Great way to build expenses to lower tax obligation

[@pokene_pokemon]

Also did anyone here watch the video until the end? They literally say this

[@krakler]

@@dewmontain123 This is explicitly stated in the video you're commenting on.

[@simaykazc1508]

One of the best and most meaningful projects I have ever encountered recently. Thanks for doing it!

[@PerfectPicture2012]

Amazing story, I think my soul left me a few times from some details, like shadows from the empty buildings and how a realtor was guiding how to talk to her husband, how transactional some people's lives are.....

[@rebeccagutierrez1960]

I literally laughed out loud so hard when the realtor was describing she should live there and what she should say to her husband.

[@esramurat6130]

Lol me too 😂😂😂😂

[@sarahbasto6520]

I can even hear his arab accent.

[@caylieann1994]

I'm laughing so hard that I'm crying a little.

[@DaleCooper222]

that mansplaining and try to manipulating her was hard. 😆

[@jimvasquez4336]

😂 you'd be surprised at the types of people who would eat that up.

[@Neil_SM]

I’m guessing the act was something like “billionaire’s wife,” but I still was cringing at all the “I’m sure your husband would love to buy this for you if you asked him,” little lady.

[@igcarism_atiqueclickmehh7001]

Yea like he assumed that SHE wasn't the billionaire

[@Hansgame]

yeah he was creepy af

[@chrissmith3587]

@@igcarism_atiqueclickmehh7001 she’s young and not famous, the only way she’d have access to that money is rich parents or a rich partner. But still he could at least not to be a creepy dick stuck in the 1950s

[@dtmt502]

only 10% of billionaires are women

[@zizi5721]

RIGHT!

[@jamesthewineguy]

I almost didn't watch but Andi Schmeid completed this book for the right reasons and was so articulate and clear on the significance of these buildings.

[@aellalee4767]

I love how she explained that you can't even get to the viewings without special knowledge. I didn't know that. And pointed out how those buildings literally cast shadows on whatever is beneath them depriving them of the sun.

[@ahhwe-any7434]

Well on the flip side, that looks like an easy target. Imagine wanting to be so disassociated it's like yep. Hardly no1 wants to stay up here. My ears hurt but still. Ok I'm being extra but that's not really the view I'd actually want. I remember losing 1 of my front teeth bc I was trying to walk through a window door thing, at my uncles. Like imagine waking up every morning & ur immediate reaction is getting startled. And u just gradually hafta get to the PT where it's like oh yeah. I live here. I certainly don't know any billionaires. But I know in down town historic areas I'm near by, ppl live up on the top floors. That seems cooler than this. Only bc it seems peaceful convenient & has a more realistic nice view tho. But they prob hear crime & love their guns. But I can appreciate all kinds of living spaces. Just not this. If I wanted to be ridiculous I want to live like dolly Parton or mj. These ppl literally look down on ppl. From their apts. Where ppl look like blobs of color, ants

[@jetmanjayjay4604]

Her video tour of the building with the actual realtor's voice in the background was really creepy. It sounded like the devil making unrealitic offers to you with very diabolical intentions.

[@stylissia]

LOL

[@vius0013]

Right?! like he was trying to hypnotize her

[@AhmedMohamedFarrag]

It felt like playing a video game

[@pornneliushubbard1967]

I love it

[@cleacleaclea8462]

i found it hilarious ! the most ridiculous and over the top pitch. out of context it would seem like satire.

[@Kaiyats]

The people buying these apartments aren’t even living there they are buying them as a safe investment, it’s honestly evil how there are people freezing on the street and these skyscrapers are literally empty

[@ericcook8254]

You forgot one of the important parts. They are driving up the property tax and cost of living in those eye sores that they don't live in through in insane cost they are buying them for.

[@Nexlars]

They CHOOSE to sleep in the alleys and drink, oh look another mentally handicapped furry! 🤡

[@railroadforest30]

Exactly

[@ForceField9]

How is it evil?

[@Kaiyats]

@@ForceField9 how would you feel if you were freezing on the streets of New York and these people with more money than they know what to do with are buying places what could be affordable apartments ?

[@jackbolongaita4153]

Really good eye opener. I only ever thought about somehow owning one of these apartments in the future, which will probably never happen... Seeing this I realised that people struggle with finding a place to live when places like these huge apartments exist and aren't even homes to anyone. The view of Central Park is beautiful and I honestly can't believe that 99.9% of people that were born and raised in New York City will probably never have a chance to own anything with that view.

[@vfcponce222]

This is so sad, so many people living without shelter and so much empty shelter just for show. People seriously need to get their priorities straight. If they don’t want homeless this is one thing that needs to stop.

[@lancemillward1912]

Genius. The stranger she acted the more they believed her

[@chrisd5133]

I work in a wealthy area for wealthy clients. I'm often in ripped up, dirty clothing. Reason for that is mostly from what I do but I started dressing like when I didn't need to. Got into some interesting encounters with people while working on homes. Like wealthy neighbors who assume I'm the actual owner and I play the part as a joke. They think I'm just the quirky, artsy owner who's rarely there.

[@lancemillward1912]

@@chrisd5133 I'm a landscape architect. But like to do some of the construction too for clients I like. Definitely in steel cap boots and a fluro I rarely get offered a coffee. Compared to turning up in a suit with my laptop and plans.

[@chrisd5133]

@@lancemillward1912 I'm in a similar field. Garden design (but have also worked in interior woodworking in the past). There are homes I work on where I am that literally nobody lives in. I work on them, constantly redoing and evolving them. Large, multimillion dollar homes. I have one where nobody has been in it for over three years at this point. Another one gets used a month or so a year.

[@DarkAngelEU]

@@lancemillward1912 So when you're actually working with your hands, there is no kindness? Sick.

[@AllMyInkHybrid]

@@chrisd5133 Aw what a waste of a beautiful home 😢❤️ Well, it can’t just stand there without being taken care of though!

[@gonzzceli]

The part about the empty buildings taking sunlight from others in the city really broke my heart Edit: I'm surprised by the amount of people who can't or simply refuses to understand such a simple comment

[@butchdabayboss7073]

Lol then move out of a big city

[@gonzzceli]

@@butchdabayboss7073 here's your cookie 🍪

[@skarbuskreska]

@@butchdabayboss7073 if all the people move away from the city, it would be empty dumbass. Who would serve the rich then and take out their garbage?

[@DarkAngelEU]

I feel like this could be a first argument to start suing developers and tear down these towers. The park is public property. Light and silence are things that, in their absence, can be brought to court for breaking the peace at home. At least, those are things that you can sue others for in Europe. I wouldn't be surprised USA is different.

[@CrownWreathCreative]

It’s that really a problem or a inconvenience...really? I felt at this point they were just finding things to complain about just to pile on.

[@DipenRai-dp6ik]

Kudos to this woman for bringing those spectacular views to the lower decks.

[@ExtraDailyPay]

*This is very bold. Thanks for doing this Gabriella*

[@ZechsMerquise73]

That guy talking to her about her husband and trying to get her to convince him to buy a 80 million dollar apartment is creepy af. The guy sounds like he could be an amazing narrator, but he lives to pray on people's emotions. Cool.

[@AA-Ashley]

Good point.

[@T.S.000]

Salesman's #1 trick = "preying on people's emotions"

[@danielnwoke3694]

Lol he's basically doing what pays him. That's what sales people have to do there's nothing creepy about it

[@CraftyF0X]

Also its super transparent. I can't take these salesman seriously, it's like they try to be cleverly manipulative but it is so obvious. Sometimes it is just arkward how they think, you are so naive that these tricks would work on you.

[@TulaFae]

He was definitely selling. I find that she took it in a humorous way. She even gave him a curveball "I prefer the 21st century" when he was talking about the 19th century. She may have said she had a husband to explain the camera. The salesman was definitely projecting, whic is annoying. He was trying to make as many highlights as possible & getting her to envision the entire process to make a huge sale.

[@TheRealDebH]

This should be a full two hour documentary. I would like to see more.

[@Peaea]

It's there I think

[@Aaron-fb6mb]

Real

[@akshat3626]

11+ minutes is sick enough already..

[@ChrisErb]

I'm sure the book has lots more details.

[@joshuapatrickvidal4954]

​@@ChrisErbVideo form would still feel different. The part where the seller was talking weirdly of Florance and speaking Hungarian just feels like something thatsore impactful in video form

[@AmyIsAtWork]

This is genuinely thought provoking

[@marceladelfino8544]

Highly amazing proyect! The most that impact me when he said ..no neighbords around, no a soul. So sad, extreme isolation of the reallity.

[@KulturanCov]

That first salesman was trying to hypnotize her!! “Imagine Gabriella”. 🤣🤣🤣

[@astareus]

Sit down, Gabriella!

[@sigco1019]

It's so cringy 😫

[@greenjupiter]

Hahahahahahahahha

[@joeyj.rskateboards6434]

I was fantasying living there as he spoke, it’s soothing if I’m gonna be honest.

[@fionam4934]

🤣🤣

[@Petruskinhap972]

I’ve lived in NYC all my life and worked in those buildings. I don’t see the appeal. So much money down the toilet. Yes, the apartment is big, but when you go downstairs you are just one of us. Mingling with the homeless and drug addicts, sharing Central Park with so many people and tourists, hours stuck in traffic to get anywhere even if you have a driver and an equally expensive, brag worthy car. It’s the opposite of exclusivity imo and just plain dumb. So many nicer places to live in the world.

[@costcoexecutivemember]

Exactly!

[@brimmed]

I saw a documentary or something on the people that buy these. Usually the people that buy these have so much money that they literally just buy it as a vehicle for their money

[@vgrepairs]

they don't live in them. even the guys that own the mansions by the beaches in San Diego don't actually live in them.

[@Grim67894]

A lot of Wall Street and lawyers like to live this way. The actual billionaire billionaires don’t live in New York.

[@user-yp7uq8it3z]

@@Grim67894 nyc has the highest population of forbes billionaires

[@diamondlenasan]

Fellow Hungarian.... love this tale. Good for you. I remember when there were neighborhoods in NYC - there was a big Hungarian one in the upper East side. Sadly, these little envelopes of people are gone, all homoginized and made into the same, just like you noticed in the apartments. I saw this while going to school there in the late '80's all of a sudden noticed mom and pop being replaced by Dunkin Donuts and Pizza Hut everywhere. Don't recognize that ugly skyline anymore.

[@aprilmorrison9627]

oh my goodness! I like your creative genius woman! If I were younger and had the courage..I could definitely see myself doing this clandestine type of project! That was awesome. I am 63 and also love photography and writing....neat projet. My mind reels now with ideas....Thankyou. Maybe I will.... :-)

[@Havanu81]

I was once invited to the bday dinner of one of the wealthiest men in the UK, and present were five private bankers whose sole client was the birthday boy, his three PA's who ran his bussinesses, households and travelling, the dog-nanny who worked full time to make sure his six dogs were happy and healthy. Half the people there basically worked for him in some capacity, including my ex- who was his parttime private soprano. I'm not kidding. He owned a few appartments like those, lived in about six of them, with his main domicile in (of course) a tax-haven where he owned a mansion and his main yacht was stationed. His private interior designer (also present) was constantly remodellling/redocrating at least one of them, selling or buying new art to go along with the new furniture. It felt like I was dining with royalty, everyone laughing with his lame jokes and tolerating his smug demeanor. I couldn't wait to leave the place, the disconnect was just insane. The only positive was that his employees were all very nice to me, as if relieved to have at least one normal person around the table.

[@johnyossarian9059]

Why are we focusing on the people who use the system to their advantage instead of the people who uphold the system I'm talking about the politicians and non-politicians who creates and uphold the political system

[@pa5666]

@@johnyossarian9059 Because what would be the point? The "people who use the system to their advantage" are the ones paying off the politicians and people who uphold the system.

[@Aaron-fb6mb]

That’s interesting how’d you get invited there

[@Havanu81]

@@Aaron-fb6mb Ex girlfriend. Mentioned it halfway down.

[@TheDestineyy]

What is a private soprano?

[@priscillaz4108]

this reminds me of Zou Yaqi's, an art student's, project where she lived a luxurious life for free by pretending to be a fake socialite in bejing. she was able to eat for free, get into several auctions, and sleep in expensive hotel lobbies. By forging VIP passes, she spent 5 days inside an airport, while the rest of the time she stayed in hotels where she was able to enjoy saunas and their gyms.

[@krystingrant6292]

Yessssssssss I remember that

[@linalulu5153]

Dont forget Ana Delvy.The russian version of that.

[@dicemiceter1122]

@priscilla z Nice copy and paste of what was said in the KZbin video of that, try putting it in your own words next time

[@lx4302]

@@dicemiceter1122 no one cares

[@LampShadeLightProductionsLSLP]

"VIP" is just a tag really, most of the time Doormen or people gatekeeping those types of areas/events could care less if you are a millionaire/billionaire. As long as you act and look the part you can almost get into anywhere for free. Its all truly just a social illusion created by successful individuals to bar themselves from the less fortunate. And worst they can do is just ask you to leave, plus you've already had your fun :)

[@davidphilipleasure]

Wow. This was amazing. It is amazing the chasm in society. But I'm proud that girls like this exist to shine light on the corruption.

[@tanyamackenzie8664]

I absolutely love this! well done!

[@The_GlitchWitch]

The comment she made regarding the shadows cast by these building was striking to me. It honestly made me think of dystopian fiction (think Blade Runner or the city planet of Corusant in Star Wars), where years into the future there are megastructures littered throughout a city that are so tall, that sunlight no longer reaches the ground and street levels, essentially casting an entire segment of society into perpetual darkness. But this isn’t fiction anymore, this is becoming reality. We are already living in a modern dystopia in many ways.

[@andystar88]

reminds me of Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong. And basically, the reality of living in slums. I've been to those places and it's really damp and dark once you get inside, even if it's daytime. Imagine how people living there suffered during lockdowns in the height of the pandemic.

[@jeremysmith9694]

That's the only thing she said that meant anything. This video could have been 10 seconds long.

[@fete0]

here in south brazil, in the most expensive city to buy a house (balneario camburiu), they had to extend the beach sand with landfill. Because the skyscrapers at the beach took all the sun at 14 hours and now 1year later the landfill are having several natural problems...

[@Ryan_hey]

You are correct; there are many arguments that we already live in a dystopia. There's a good video I like that I'd recommend called "Why Dystopias are more popular than Utopias" by Yugopnik.

[@heavywarriorr]

NYC is not the whole world. This would never happen in some European countries.

[@winniepillow]

Fun fact, Deborah Berke is the dean of architecture at Yale. She preaches inclusivity and community engagement within the building industry, yet designs for the top 1%... ironic much? 9:12

[@leica842]

Truly ironic.

[@gabrielle.s1896]

that's such an interesting and depressing point, thanks for sharing

[@lancealex5058]

champagne socialist lol

[@cortarelva]

Rich money talks and bullshit pays college tuitions.

[@kellyroyds5040]

winniepillow Not surprising at all.

[@jacklee6224]

Brilliant project and perspective

[@sentientmlem727]

Good journalism like this doesn't come from Vice very often. Good on you guys for attempting what you used to be back in the day again.

[@ShoshanaBrand]

The artist did a good job portraying the personality of the city and how lonely and impersonal those apartments are in spite of their huge price.

[@DarkAngelEU]

I wonder how much the book is and what kind of people will actually read it though lol

[@punapeter]

Concrete, glass and steel. COLD Wood, jungle and GREEN. WARMTH

[@MikeBrown-dk7or]

Absolutely impersonal. Only there to be sold on. Not one of the apartments had any warmth that would invite living. Anyone living in a single house with a plot of land is better off in terms of quality of living.

[@bellavela17]

This should be a full documentary, it’s actually scary how much America consumes , to many products , way to much food , and the lifestyle that includes unnecessary luxury and space .

[@amythomspon956]

Hater

[@a.a.8918]

The average American never sees anything like this in their lifetime

[@dvhughesdesign]

You are not wrong. However a great deal of these properties and dare I say most, are purchased by overseas robber barons.

[@celestereyes5691]

@@a.a.8918 agreed. As someone who lives about 30-45min from midtown in NJ, I can assure you the small 1br me and my husband live in is far from luxurious.

[@jasonrackawack9369]

Not "America" maybe the people who own it / run it.....but most of America is also suffering under these types of people.

[@user-si2jt2nk7g]

Diversifying your investments is the safest way to handle it. One way to lessen the effects of a market crisis is to distribute investments over a variety of asset classes, such as international equities, bonds, and real estate. It's critical to look for expert like Afzal Hussein for assitadvice.

[@Isael-qk5rz]

HE'S MOSTLY ON TELEGRAMS, USING THE USERNAME

[@Isael-qk5rz]

@afzalhussein433 ... .. that's it = 4 advi

[@Isael-qk5rz]

@afzalhussein433

[@aniamarek9705]

MR AFZALHUSSEIN seem calm, composed, and very honest. Really appreciated this about him. Looking forward to more $57650!

[@weronikaszymon6283]

Diversifying your investments is the safest way to handle it. One way to lessen the effects of a market crisis is to distribute investments over a variety of asset classes, such as international equities, bonds, and real estate. It's critical to look for expert like Afzal Hussein for assitadvice.

[@bexraphaela]

I LOVE watching videos like this ❤

[@l0pster]

Could EASILY have been 45 min to an hour. super interesting story with lots of room to get into the psychology, reasoning, and affects on the society. super interesting topic

[@bocktoss1350]

I totally agree with you!

[@morpheus_4]

Yeah . Would totally watch it . VICE should make longer documentaries.

[@Bfrodv]

It’s interesting and sad how many stories suffer because of the algorithms on KZbin which better highlight shorter video.

[@bocktoss1350]

@@Bfrodv totally.

[@jackparry6983]

it was too long

[@brianwalsh5285]

“Imagine your daughter running around, saying words in Hungarian.” I can’t stop saying this

[@Beelzebubby91]

😂😂😂😂 wtf was that guy saying

[@udesky7237]

That definitely was a made up voice speaking in such "posh" tone

[@petike009]

Andi is Hungarian, that's why he said that :) Not gonna lie, it sounds strange even for me

[@IzzyBizzyBooBoo]

I think ima start saying it when I want to convince anyone of anything now too- "do you want to go to taco bell?" "no, not really." "ok, but have you imagined your daughter running around, saying words in Hungarian?"

[@stevengallant6363]

I would be like Will Smith and tell him to get my daughter's name out his mouth and then slap him really hard...🤣🤣🤣

[@LifeWithCandis]

Wow the part about these unused buildings casting shadows.. yeeeeaa. That's deep and should be considered.

[@LocalEarthSpirit]

This is once of the coolest videos I’ve ever seen.

[@conspiracykill]

that "other end" sales pitch was CRAZY. telling her to sit down and "tell your husband this is what you want" followed by "you will feel" just NUTS I'm getting real devil's advocate vibes from that dude

[@mtaylor7307]

He's catering to European housewives...of billionaires.

[@JavierChiappa]

It had some hypnosis vibes to it, the tone and commanding voice, maybe it works... for him

[@TrepidDestiny]

@@JavierChiappa The only thing he was hypnotizing me into was thinking he's creepy.

[@yan.weather]

Cringed marketing tbh lol

[@petrifiedviewer]

Rich people love to be sold dreams and vibes > . >

[@claudineberti4208]

Her comment about the tall buildings casting shadows across NYC and people's living rooms is really insightful.

[@CrownWreathCreative]

Explain the problem to me because I get how it can be an inconvenience or even annoying but how is this a core problem?

[@vsanden]

Hahahahhahahhahahahahaha that was so bad and stupid thing to say, just humor!

[@winnieconradi4221]

​@@CrownWreathCreative these buildings casting huge shadows on other peoples homes is a problem because it means that having access to natural lighting in your house or public space is becoming a luxury item. an elitist product almost. we are not talking about a little shadow in your house, but a house that maybe when you bought/started renting it had nice sunlight in your bedroom when you wake up, and maybe some evening lighting, and now it is in the dark shadow at all times because there is an empty building blocking the sun. on top of that it also blocks the sun in public spaces like parks, which in cities are very important for people to be able to enjoy some nature, sun, trees.. I find it unfair that some say: then move out of the city. it is unfair that people are driven out of their communities like that, without having a say in the matter. on top of it all it is expensive to move, and you would have to build up family/friends/work etc at a new place. would you want that? I honestly don't get why so many people are making fun of the comments about this valid critique, please enlighten me: do you people not want a house or public park that has natural lighting? what if your current house would suddenly get surrounded by empty skyscrapers and you would have to live in the dark, would that not make you sad or angry?

[@GhostedGamer]

@@winnieconradi4221 -additionally it lowers the temperature dramatically, snow builds up and takes longer to melt making travel inconvenient, and on hot summer days the city basically becomes an oven trapping in all of the heat. This is why I'm glad I live in FL and only visit NY rarely

[@darkwoodmovies]

@@CrownWreathCreative Not a core problem by itself, just a metaphor for the overall issue: developers cater to the 1% at the expense of everyone else, while the middle class is being pushed out of neighborhoods that they helped build and form communities around.

[@ElFabii]

This kind of video should prevail! You see humanity has been divided and will continue to be due to greediness, and lack of awareness by upper-class people.

[@Ferenc-Racz]

Gratulálok a projekthez! :) Gratulálok Magyarországról! :)

[@bocktoss1350]

I own a copy of her book! If anyone wants to know it is titled Private Views: A High-Rise Panorama of Manhattan. It is absolutely gorgeous! And it is not only about the views, but it also has a lot of conversations with the agents, and other longer texts and info so you really get a sense of the whole luxury real estate thing... It is such a clever, fun, and beautiful book!

[@sxckme.sideways_3955]

This lady only worked when she took the pics and wrote the book and she wants 80 dollars for a book?

[@transfo47]

@@sxckme.sideways_3955 Physical books are expensive, especially art books. Art books for a video game usually cost about $60-70 more than just the game. So it's par for the course.

[@nocturnalrise]

@@paris5768 go to your local library or find other options. Stop acting like there’s no other ways to read for free. There is plenty!

[@edityourmood]

@@paris5768 you see it as a book, I see it as an opportunity to learn more on how luxury estate agents deal with people to expand strategies. I’m not an agent, just one example.

[@Richa_cute]

@@edityourmood if you're not rich to be at par to that lifestyle then it's not worth the money. If you're into beautiful pictures and would read just anything, sure go for it.

[@chrispbacon1167]

If you live in NY you actually know why this is a problem.. the homeless problem in Ny is insane and there’s homeless ppl sleep on the same blocks as these buildings and the subway at night turns in a mental ward/ shelter, women are being followed home and murdered but yet we have empty useless buildings smh

[@Videogamer617]

Blue leadership is out of touch wake people up locally man we are here with you same with boston atm

[@the_real_glabnurb]

Homeless people with mental issues shouldn't be allowed to roam freely. They should be institutionalized. But the situation today is thanks to a liberal over correction that nobody shall be institutionalized against ones own will. It's not just the case in NY, I can tell you from Europe even in great well fare countries, we have these homeless lunatics that piss every, have such a smell that the whole subway-wagon empties out once they get in - of course homeless can ride the subway for free :) And also murders are committed by them. And it is not that they wouldn't have the option for free housing, care, etc.. They are just crazy and refuse to be institutionalized and as long as they haven't committed a murder they can roam freely.

[@RRAX]

people keep voting for the same policies . That's not the government's fault.

[@chandradewit7014]

It is an economic system: Cruel Capitalism installed in a stolen continent = Colonialism. Many people call this freedom.

[@lisabaltzer4190]

Yes, and your mayor has been housing illegals in $450 a night hotel rooms. That is obscene. I have lived in Chicago, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Thank God I now live in rural Idaho.

[@hyperhippyhippohopper]

That real estate agent talks like a game character that wants to take you on a mission in WoW

[@geegee9991]

The thing that stood out was the shadows extending across the park and streets ... such a strong impact from buildings hardly anyone actually lives in.

[@morganmarston]

The views, fixtures, the amenities or the location are just an illusion. Once you have it, it's not as good as you think it will be.

[@8pija22]

anyone who could afford it probably already knows, but it's ultimately not really that big of a deal for them either way. A totally different human experience.

[@rizzamaeong]

True. its like a large cell. then you'd be bored and want other stuff.

[@funbigly]

It's a hold and sell, it's not being bought to be lived in. What do you hold and sell? Stocks???

[@100kSubs]

I live in an 11M$ penthouse and have all the amenities you can dream of. Never have i ever used any of them in 5 years of living in the building. It's all BS. It's for show. It's always empty. Nobody ever goes down there to use any of what is offered. Go buy land and build mansions instead for friends and families. Dont ever waste time or money in the big cities. It's all a trap!!! In the last 2 years, i have invested in land and started building 3 huge houses for all my siblings and parents. Almost 20 acres of land plus 3 mansions. Total cost under 4M$. Tell me, that's not worth it

[@gardenlove2782]

It’s money laundering for many foreign tycoons

[@strawberriesandcandy]

If you want to see some of these apartments you don’t have to go through all the prep she went through. Literally just call up the agent, sound confident, say you’re interested in purchasing an apartment and would like to see their listing. On vacation, I regularly go look at very nice apartments as like, a fun activity. You’re not obligated to do anything-you’re just looking.

[@mujtabaalam5907]

I doubt that would fly for these apartments. If you can get into an $85 million apartment, good for you. 3:50

[@STEINBERG2329]

My family bought a 1.2 million dollar home in Baltimore last year and they asked for a credit check/government ID before the tour. Even asked for my ID, and I’m only 28 just to go inside. Not really.

[@Scythe_Voltage]

@@STEINBERG2329 who tf pays for a million dollar home in Baltimore, that’s like the broke version of New York

[@OverSoft]

Yeah, same. I saw a $15 million home in Bel Air, just because they had an open viewing and we rolled up. We had a tour and everything.

[@STEINBERG2329]

@@Scythe_Voltage Maryland is one of the wealthiest states in the country, also Baltimore County is one of the best public school systems on the east coast.

[@nightly522]

interesting thank you for posting

[@imthebreast819]

Very well spoken on NYC real estate.

[@goodgrief888]

The fact that the only way she could convince these real estate agents to show her these properties was to say that she was looking for a second home, vacation property (pied e tiere) or investment property says a lot. These are all sitting empty, and the developers have convinced the city government officials that if we just keep building more and more of these that it will eventually “trickle down” to make housing more affordable. But they’re having the opposite effect, they’re making housing more expensive as they sit completely empty while the owners or off in their yachts.

[@typical_snowflake]

It's "pied à terre" from french language not pied e tiere that doesn't mean anything. It means an appartement often in a big city or capital where you only stay when you need it.

[@goodgrief888]

@@typical_snowflake Well at least you’re named aptly. I’m not a great speller on comments sections. When making a more important written document, I do use the internet and have editors before publishing. But in comments sections I often find that leaving a small typo or inconsequential spelling error can really bring out the very worst prigs in the comments section. And that’s always good to expunge those folks from one’s life. I know what the word means, OBVIOUSLY. But I hope you got your low self esteem boost of the day by attempting to make someone else feel small. Sorry it didn’t work as I know your type.

[@60wwediva]

Why would they just let any old person into the listing? It's like allowing ratchet crackhead into Gucci or bvlgari to cause a ruckus cause they don't have the understanding or advanced education to understand why things are priced the way they are. Be for real.

[@kinngrimm]

not sure if the comparison fits 100%, but to me all this is a parasitic behaviour of these rich fucks

[@oa8463]

If soneone has to PROMISE you something, to get something, it's a SCAM

[@SevericK_BooM]

“This is the best Siberian marble” Me as a geologist: wtf are you even saying

[@Karen-ig6bp]

Touché! 😂

[@universeGirl]

Honestly, I was dreaming of New York ever since I was 11 being a European girl. I did some traveling and ended up in January 2024 there. On the first evening being in the city for nearly 2 hours this was my conclusion that I told my boyfriend. This city is fun to be in when you are rich. I have romantisized NYC for so long, only to come there and be dissapointed and hit by the reality. I still managed to find a bar that was super small, had a character of old New York before all this commercial freak has begun with super low prices. Which proves that the rent is the killer of all the New York vibe. It is a vibrant city but if these fake development projects would not ruin the market it could be 1000 times better.

[@lateblossom]

OK, but props to the faceless gentlemen giving her all the apartment details, that man knows his job and has an amazing voice.

[@maxverse]

The line about sunlight really packed a punch; I love watching these real estate tours, and didn't expect to feel this emotional about it.

[@bayareasales5334]

1000% little to no natural sunlight in the city. I don't recommend!

[@mk_annan22]

The most striking info I got from her project: "Appartments are literally 60-70% empty." I was like, really? When there are homeless people across New York dying on the streets? I always used to think a lot of people used to live in those tall towers. Why have them standing in the first place? No human centric approach......

[@PostMalone-real]

Lol nobody would stop 50 or more people from setting up shop in these apartments. People should organize more

[@fredlebhart1393]

you're fully welcome to buy a unit and give it to the homeless. But research has shown that just giving homeless people a place to call 'home' doesn't fix the problem, and nearly every time it's attempted the facility is destroyed in the process. So good luck with that.

[@SeanGilligan2JV]

@@fredlebhart1393 that's funny because I've seen the opposite outcome in implemented programs. I don't understand why people make up stuff to demean people who already have such terrible living conditions. Why do you hate them so much? Why do you want to make their lives even worse?

[@fredlebhart1393]

@@SeanGilligan2JV you’ve misunderstood. I love humanity. I try to help as much as humanly possible. Everything my city and state has done has backfired. I’ve learned that guy can’t force people into homes or shelters.

[@joelalvarez4273]

that's not the place for these people to solve; talk to your local government, and make them accountable in NYC for once

[@deliveriders2592]

Love this project. Hate the homelees aspect and the shadow thing... lol

[@gracielaandrade4939]

Excelente investigación!!

[@bullisticg5874]

The most moving comment in the whole video was about the empty buildings also casting huge shadows, taking away more from the city than just sitting empty

[@depalandepalan1911]

It's also a metaphor on how empty headed powerful people cast shadow on society

[@fernandotorress100]

There's a story says more than 60% of these "executive" buildings are empty. Not enough billionaires. Yet the city homeless problem gets bigger every day. Crazy

[@Law19157]

The homeless are drug addicts, it's got nothing to do with housing costs. People who can't afford it move to city they afford.

[@aidonger42069]

American dream

[@jonathanpulgarin]

@@aidonger42069 New York isn't America. It's so disconnected from the rest of the country. People need to get out of cities

[@CryptocurrencyInsider]

The homeless don’t want help. It’s not our problem.

[@samanthab1923]

What about all the office bldgs. empty with everyone working from home.

[@JM-sv5wg]

What a interesting idea, this is one of the most original student project I ve ever seen !

[@muruzabal]

Super interesting, thank you

[@zvndmvn]

I've done this at a car dealership, just to joyride on my day off. The salesman sounded like an even skeezier version of this guy. He made disparaging remarks about women and relationships by comparing them to old cars, and then he topped it off with "You know, I really see you in that car" - No, you see the big fat comission you're not getting. It's hilarious what you can get away with if you just dress up and act confident.

[@randygrubba3774]

True, but it wouldn't be worth it to me to have to hear all the high-pressure sales pitches.

[@szymonk.6124]

it's hilarious that how people treat you, perceive you and what you can achieve with them is 99% how you dress and act, 1% who you are and what you really can do you can have a lot of cash and be very successful and all that, all it takes is for you to dress way below your status and act a little shy for people to assume they are better than you you can use that too by the way, to have some fun

[@Amin2JZ]

I used to do the same thing with my friends lmao! we would look at used car sites and always look for big engine cars like ferrari, c63s, m5's, one time a freaking mclaren, just so we could go and drift and test it out. Some guy let us try his m3 for like a week. We blew his tires out looool but we did buy him a whole new set of ps91's, and a set of sparks, i think 1 injector was blown or something too lmao, but we paid him for it. another guy had to travel and called and asked me to take care of his f10 too. why go to dealerships when you can just rent big cars for free lmao good times. bro the cops even caught us drifting in the city center once. he didnt even have to say anything to me, he just looked disappointed and I asked him laughing okay which jail/pound? he said the name of it and i just drove there, but we brided him so he let us go with a warning lool

[@bunk95]

How do you knows skeezier? Did you figure out if either were being tortured into only appearing/sounding like they could possibly be doing that? How about for those they interact/interacted with? -Slaves dont buy/sell even if they’re being lied about.

[@warpigs9069]

That guy must've been talking about Ford cars cuz Toyotas are for life.

[@edg.2676]

I live in one such shadow. It impacted the amazing wildflower meadow that took years to create in my front yard (now dead), my house plants, my own depression (my home gets no natural light now), and I used to watch the aun set from my yard. Now I have a massive wall that is someone’s giant home. I call it the Death Star. These “neighbors” have never spoken to me. Meanwhile I tuen the other cheek and smile genuinely because I am sure they actually suffer more than I do.

[@foolisnoteighteenyet]

god that's so sad

[@SphinxKingStone]

Maybe you should sell your house and get a new one?

[@McDonaldsCalifornia]

​@@SphinxKingStoneI hope you're being sarcastic

[@Charoula1608]

I live in a similar situation, but in a smaller scale. The next door neighbor had an one-family house. Just ground floor. When she died, the family sold it and built a 4 story house. Our once sunlit yard feels like a dungeon now. Not only is the light gone, but it's now surrounded by walls.

[@Max-1906]

@@SphinxKingStoneso every building or people that live under those shadows should do this?…I think your brain needs more sunlight than they do

[@rextan9443]

Nice work!

[@peaceemmanuel8998]

Tomorrow is near, yet so far away. Choose this day to love unconditionally, and be happy within

[@peaceemmanuel8998]

Richard A . Blair Fx

[@peaceemmanuel8998]

OR Instagram

[@peaceemmanuel8998]

He will guide you through the process of investing

[@samuelalexander3306]

@@maryauthor9243 Everybody has been talking about (Richard A. Blair Fx) so I'm not surprise you mentioned him again is this his contact

[@samuelalexander3306]

@@maryauthor9243 I really need to write him up

[@adampatterson]

This is why there should be an occupancy tax. If the majority of housing is empty and driving up the cost. A lot of these properties are probably foreign investments.

[@scottnunan4927]

Foreigners shouldn't even be allowed to own property in the US

[@adampatterson]

​@@scottnunan4927 So like, Should Americans not own property anywhere else then?

[@scottnunan4927]

@@adampatterson Well it depends. In some countries, it's very beneficial to try and attract wealthy, foreign buyers to boost the local economy. In others, such as the US, it can be detrimental. As with most everything else, it's not black and white. It's Schroedinger's cat....it can be both things at the same time.

[@knowledge4741]

@@scottnunan4927 Foreign buyers is detrimental to America but not anywhere else? LOL

[@ONLYFOREXX]

You’d be surprised how many real estate firms are owned by Chinese capitals lol

[@ogamiitto8056]

Awesome video I love this chick perspective and insight

[@AdamJWM]

Hard to imagine people have $85 million to spend on an apartment they won’t live in because they have 10 others.

[@oldleatherhandsfriends4053]

Weird thing about wealth is these people don't usually have the money cash in hand to spend. A lot of wealth isn't liquid and it is entirely possible many of these apartments are either financed (I know crazy but really happens) or straight up owned by a business entity like a hedge fund or similar so no single person really owns it.

[@jenkem4464]

@@oldleatherhandsfriends4053 Yeah...I mean..that's exactly why the *Rump family has so much real estate. Leverage their asses on inflated valuation and never pay the banks back.

[@PJCelis]

If you're Chinese or Russian and need a way to park your offshore cash, it starts to make a lot more sense.

[@poppers7317]

It's an investment. Real estate prices only seem to go up.

[@adamcoe]

If you can sell in 5-10 years for 200 million it's pretty easy to imagine

[@rukome734]

This was very informative especially the bit on how the buildings cast long shadows obstructing other people's view of the sun. Great story telling

[@Obetv01]

Even if you've never been to NYC you'd still realize that any sighting of the sun is a major event for everyday non billionaire locals in NYC.

[@divader]

Praise the sun!

[@nataliamiliano150]

Literally EVERY single building in ANY city will cast a shadow on someone, but when someone has a lot more money, then it’s a problem? Lol

[@effexon]

I didnt realize how freakishly tall those skyscrapers are... midpoint in air showed that, it looks very unnatural.

[@deepn11]

People crowd where life promises more, sharpening the lines between rich and poor. Spreading out, boosting smaller cities, might ease this tension. But even there we have a point where growth bites into the land needed for our survival. Sustainable growth and preservation should be around this point of balance.

[@breadcrumbhoarder]

Her talking about how we always view poverty from the bottom and not from the top just hit me like a truck. We focus on the problem but not what causes it.

[@IKEMENOsakaman]

The agent in the very beginning read “How to Win Friends & Influence People” about 20 times too many with his antics. I’d have struggled to keep a straight face with how ridiculous he was being. The title of the video drew me in and I’m glad it did because this was a great talk!

[@ericvalverderosado2046]

That book is stupidly mind blowing…Dale Carnagie left something huge for us

[@Aquamatiic]

@@ericvalverderosado2046 what do you mean by mind blowing? Should I read it?

[@chrisr.6638]

@@Aquamatiic don't bother. All these self help books are BS. I read that book once and tbh don't even remember what it was about.

[@mal7916]

@@chrisr.6638 Can relate. Some of the self-help books I've read have been trash at best (like Power Of Habit) I feel stupid for having read them carefully and slowly for better impact. Though, some of them were life-changing in my case. 12 Rules For Life by Jordan Peterson and Thinking Fast & Slow Daniel Kahneman have noticeably improved my life. Learning to separate the wheat from the chaff helps a lot.

[@thomasr3805]

Sidewalks of Florence? Daughter running around speaking “Hondurian”? I’d love to just record this guy and see how crazy it gets.

[@Alicatnoscaredycat]

Completely changed my view on this woman, I can always appreciate a true journalist that is willing to go inside to enlighten the rest, very brave act

[@Pammie143]

a REAL journalist (not bought)

[@gravyz2cute4u]

I'm glad that developers and the local governments (at least here) now factor in the impact of the shadows high rise buildings cause. Apparently that's one of the reasons why Sydney and Melbourne don't have insanely high buildings. How upsetting to live in darkness due to a building shadow :(

[@marystephens1626]

Fascinating perspective---both literally and analytical. Great work to the artist for keep the critique of capitalism.

[@x3BobO]

This is absolutely insane and sad. All these buildings empty taking up space, resources, sunlight, and money.

[@cryptonicviking3186]

i know, its all empty, nobody is home

[@ChuckPalomo]

And the most ironic part is that their value comes only from their exclusivity and how inaccessible they're to the people who would actually benefit from them, rather than their usefulness to the people who own them.

[@nadie7480]

I bet you pay Netflix every month, got a gucci bag for your birthday and pay 10 dollars for a cup of coffee. Do you need it? Why don't you share with the poor one?