We Must Preserve Function

A common sentiment expressed in coastal American cities is that it's awful that the government is able to ticket people for improperly curbed wheels and parking meters not paid while simultaneously unable to punish those who openly use drugs and defecate on the streets. The latter is a valid concern, but not because of the former. In fact, the existence of the latter is evidence that The State is weak and unable to provide its function of coordination and management of shared resources. But that is precisely the situation when one should be fearful to damage any more functions.

Fines and fees for use are necessary mechanisms in order to prioritize sharing what remains of public space here in a manner that does not externalize costs. They are not imposed upon us from above but are our ways of doling out access in a manner that matches utility gained from the resource. In fact, what we should strive to do is restore other functions of The State so that the rest of the commons can be recovered for society's use rather than hoarded by the few at the cost of families, workers, and other participatory members of society.

I think this is the reality of how civilizations slowly fall. As they're unable to provide functions that the society relies upon, the society slowly starts deteriorating. Alternative power centres form governance structures to recreate the value of organization, and the original government collapses.

Crémieux @cremieuxrecueil

The fall of Rome was less a dramatic collapse and more the slow and eventually total decline of state services.

One day, your postman becomes a little less reliable. He arrives less often.

Then later on, he's gone, and you're not sending or receiving letters anymore.

Jun 24, 2026

The Meter Maids Must Be Protected!