Series I — The Basic Architecture
The basic argument. Hardin was wrong. The commons works. And enclosure requires constant enforcement.
The way cities collect information, make decisions, and distribute resources isn't broken. It's working exactly as designed.
The commons is not a failure mode. It is a governance form — one that works, under conditions that can be described and replicated, and that keeps getting enclosed.
- 01 Why Your City Doesn't Work
The template most cities run on was designed for a world of scarce information flowing upward. That world no longer exists — but the template remains.
- 02 Your City Knows Less
Your city doesn't know what you know. The information that would make it work never makes it into the system.
- 03 Who Gets Paid
When you show up to participate, someone else captures the value.
- 04 Two Ways to Fix a Pothole
Two approaches to a broken street. One makes information disappear. The other makes it compound.
- 05 Open Data Isn't Enough
More data didn't fix anything. Why open data is necessary but not sufficient.
- 06 How Linux Became the Internet
Thousands of people, no boss, no central plan — and they built the software that runs the internet.
- 07 Mutual Aid Isn't Charity
Mutual aid isn't charity. It isn't crisis response. It's an infrastructure.