Going over (street art)

Going over (street art)

“Going over” is when a street artist paints over someone else’s work—usually graffiti or a mural—without permission. In the graffiti world, this can be seen as a sign of disrespect or a power move to claim space.

The sublime

The sublime refers to something that’s so vast, intense, or awe-inspiring that it overwhelms your senses or emotions. It’s that mix of beauty and fear you might feel looking at a huge mountain range or a violent storm.

Hostile architecture

This means designing public spaces to keep certain people away—like benches with armrests that prevent lying down, or spikes on ledges to stop people from sitting. It’s meant to control behavior in public by making places uncomfortable.

Non-rivalrous

A good is non-rivalrous if one person using it doesn’t take away from someone else’s ability to use it too. For example, one person watching fireworks doesn’t stop others from enjoying the show.Non-excludable

Non-excludable

A good is non-excludable if you can’t stop people from using it, even if they didn’t pay for it. Clean air is a good example—everyone benefits from it, whether they help keep it clean or not.

Schofield on housing and responsibility

Schofield argues that without stable housing, people can’t realistically take on life’s basic responsibilities—like holding a job, getting healthcare, or caring for family. He thinks this means housing should be guaranteed as a right through public policy, like government-supported housing programs.

Kelling and Wilson on public disorder and crime

Kelling and Wilson argue that visible signs of disorder—like broken windows or graffiti—signal that no one is in control, which can lead to more serious crimes. They believe police should focus on maintaining order to prevent bigger problems. One objection is that this kind of policing can unfairly target low-income or marginalized communities.

del Pozo vs. Kelling and Wilson

• Both care about public safety, but they focus on different things. Kelling and Wilson prioritize cracking down on small signs of disorder to prevent bigger crimes. Del Pozo, a former police chief, thinks this approach can lead to over-policing and wants police to focus more on addressing root causes of harm, like mental health or addiction. They agree on the importance of safety but not on how to achieve it.

• Free-rider problem and tax evasion
  

Free-rider problem and tax evasion

The free-rider problem happens when people benefit from public goods without paying for them. Tax evasion is a classic example—people use roads, schools, and protection but avoid paying their fair share. A policy response could include better enforcement, closing loopholes, or making taxes feel more fair and transparent to increase voluntary compliance.

Free-rider problem and jury duty

Skipping jury duty also fits the free-rider idea—those who don’t serve still benefit from the justice system. It’s a civic duty that many dodge, which weakens the system. Unlike tax evasion, it’s not about money but about time and responsibility. Both are failures of citizenship, but they differ in what’s being avoided.Accessibility and Boston City Hall Plaza

Accessibility and Boston City Hall Plaza

Wendell says we should design spaces for the broadest range of abilities. Boston City Hall Plaza has wide open space, but it’s known for being uneven, with few shaded areas or seating, and hard to navigate for people using wheelchairs, strollers, or crutches. To improve, it could add ramps, smoother paths, rest areas, and better signage to make it more welcoming for everyone.