re: What's the universally accepted indicator that a city is lost?

Nola has become highly reliant on tourism and conventions as the clown mayors with no real business accumen expand that sector. They want the flimsy veneer that comes with tourism and convention. Gambling, tee shirt shops, trinkets, food service and hotels are the game.

Nola, he’s done well with tourism for decades. post Covid, it has done really well with tourism.
Tourists will come but will they come BACK?

Nola; in the state it’s in, is not a place trourists will want to come back to. Too much grafitti, trash, smell, and general crime will deter return visitors.

So there is more to unfold in Nola with respect to tourism. I expect to see numbers drop off considerably in 2024 as conventions look for other areas less dirty and dangerous.