Essays

Essays on the deeper patterns shaping cities, culture, and civic life. Written for those who know there’s more at stake than policy and planning alone.

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Front porch of a historic North End Boise home at dusk, with warm interior lights visible through windows and a clear path leading from the sidewalk to the entry.

The Ordering Principle

Building the hardware of the external mind Part 3 of 3: Building...

Long, empty institutional hallway with fluorescent ceiling lights, closed doors on both sides, and worn floors.

The Parasite Principle

Why stagnation invites extraction Part 2 of 3: Building Systems to Hear...

Historic brick and stone multifamily building in Boise's North End at golden hour. The wide, clean sidewalk is lined with mature trees and lush green groundcover, leading past classic columned porches under a warm dusk light.

The Monopoly on Charm

The fastest way to make an enemy in Boise is to submit...

The Park That Almost Wasn’t

In the summer of 1899, Thomas and Julia Davis made an offer...

A high-angle drone photograph of Boise’s residential neighborhoods and mature tree canopy, representing the stable physical foundation required for a healthy city.

The Precondition: Why Beauty Is Not a Luxury

Drive down any major arterial in the Treasure Valley and you will...

Night shot of a Boise craftsman bungalow in winter with warm light glowing from a front window, contrasting the cold snow outside with the sacred space inside.

The Ritual Container: Why We Need Sacred Space

The Contrast Most people know the feeling of a good holiday. The...

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