“All Roads Lead to Cornithaca” – “Form Based Codes are the mold” Bumper sticker

“Form Based Codes are the mold” Bumper sticker

Just as manufacturers create molds to define shape their product; Form Based Codes allow politicians and bureaucrats to define the shape of the community that residents must conform to. Form Based Code proponents spend a lot of time trashing previous Zoning processes; but they are reticent in revealing their own:

Form Based Codes give unprecedented and unarguable power into the hands of authorities – PERIOD. There is no other certainty. There is no guarantee of public meaningful participation, there is no practical way to change or prevent any Form Based Codes that are handed down. The “streamlined development approval process” ensures that there is no way for the public to block any development that authorities want.

Form Base Codes are a tool of the “New Urbanism” – a manifesto of Urban Colonialism – a city-centric mono-viewpoint that architects have offered to gain a place in the power structure.

Form and Conform meet in Form Based Code regulations – first, the streets outside you home – then, the rooms inside your home – then, the thoughts inside your head — is there a limit to “form based” regulations? Is there a limit to the craving for power?

“All Roads Lead to Cornithaca” – “The names have been changed” Bumper sticker

“The names have been changed to pass for individuality.”

If you were to search for any common name for anything on the internet; you would probably find it was being used to brand a company. [Just as businesses used to put “AAA” before their name to be placed first in the Yellow Pages listings.] Many parents however; seek to change up the common name commonality by changing the spelling of their child’s name – I admit that “Brandiiiiiii” has a certain uniqueness; but that is no guarantee of individuality.

In marketing a “NEW” product – today’s entrepreneurs have embraced the idea that by changing the spelling of a product; they may convince an increasingly conforming public that they are being unconventional [if not actually individual.]

Let’s take “beer” for a makeover: Lyte beer, LiiiT beer, Lytisha beer, Lyyte beer; or maybe Beeyr, Beyre, or Beeeeerrrrr [a “growler”]

I’ve had commonly labeled “beers” that are more than just individual – they’re unforgettable . . . terrible. Is individuality good? Does the protruding nail get hammered? [Is that another beeyr drinking reference?]

“All Roads Lead to Cornithaca” – “Reasonable Rhymes” Road Signs

“Reasonable Rhymes” Road Signs

Peel back the skin of today’s cosmetic world; and all the problems are still there. They go too deep to build a world of electric cars and ecological shoes on. People are selling their products, they’re selling their policies, their selling their image – but they aren’t selling the dirty job of responsible living and thankless effort that makes you an adult — it’s up to you.

“All Roads Lead to Cornithaca” – “Victim’s Rhyme” Road Signs

“Victim’s Rhyme” Road Signs

People are tired of being victims of the overflow from our societal cesspits. If it’s so hard to live without victimizing other people – how can so many people manage to do it?

Our prison policy is like rehabilitating an alcoholic by locking them in a bar with other alcoholics; who force liquor down their throat. Forcing criminals to adapt to a criminal society and then compassionately releasing them back into the community is the sort of ill-logic that breeds in our hot-house bureaucracy. Isn’t it time to open the doors and let the reality in?