If I lie on my living room couch facing south, I have an unobstructed, perfectly framed view of the new 1 World Trade Center 30 blocks away. This is exactly the same view I had of the old 1 World Trade Center – known as the north tower – that was destroyed on September 11. The new building, like the old, is masted with a huge telecommunications antenna flashing a red aircraft warning light at night. The red strobe on the earlier tower cycled lazily, like the slowly rotating lamp of a coastal lighthouse. When I couldn’t sleep at night, I’d leave my bed and move to the couch to gaze at the strobe until I got drowsy. The old beacon seemed to say: “I’m here. All is well. Go back to bed.” The new strobe pulsates more quickly, with a sense of added urgency. There is nothing calming or comforting about it. It communicates a different message: “Stay Alert. Proceed with caution. All eyes to the skies.”