natininja

Except they aren't. For example, certain colors can inspire people to feel sad or angry. There is an objective psychological reality to aesthetics. Sure, having a blue bedroom does not make everyone depressed. But it is more likely for someone who has a blue bedroom to develop depression. That's a very real phenomenon, and a large part of architecture and urban design is about creating environments which are statistically likely to elicit positive emotional responses and behaviors. For developers, the most important of these responses is getting people to spend money (occupy units, pay rent). But that is far from the only functional aspect of the design which is functionally important to residents, visitors, the neighborhood, the city, etc.

It is the engineer in you. And what you are missing is the way aesthetics functionally affect people. While we don't have it figured out as scientifically as egress and structural integrity, it is objectively true that aesthetic quality has a functional role on human beings' emotions and behaviors. LIG proposes expanding the definition of 'public good', but I would propose you expand your definition of 'functional'. You might find it disturbing how vague terms are used to describe aesthetic quality, or that it would seem so "subjective", and I would agree with you. But that complexity doesn't undermine the reality of a functional role for aesthetics.

I think pedant is the word you're looking for. I was mistaken. Apparently you are not the curious type. My humblest apologies.

Such a tease that it's called "Chapter One", as though there is a chapter two of similar quality waiting to be posted...

FYI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beg_the_question Not trying to be a dick, just thought you might be interested.

^^ Hmm, interesting. Hadn't thought of that. There actually is a GameStop in UPA, across Calhoun from U Square. Apart from the reasons you listed, that would be another reason an indie would really struggle in the area.

Oh man, the tear gas.... :D

Nope, and it's certainly not a pleasant career transition. Unfortunately, the demand for salesmen is much greater. Maybe you could open up a new branch of you store at U Square, reconciling your academic days with your post-grad salesman status. ;)

Does that make JC the Cincinnati of NJ? What's the Columbus, Metropark?

Battery Park is pretty sweet. I like taking the Staten Island Ferry once in a while, when the weather's nice. I suggest getting a building with a doorman if you're worried about break-ins, but I don't think there's much crime at all until you get north of the financial district and into LES/Chinatown.

LOL. Now that's a new one for me.

^ Sounds like you should see if he'll do another

But it would be stupid of him to lie about it. I would expect him to ignore the question if he didn't want to admit it.

^^ Thanks. You don't post much, but when you do you reliably bring some quality info. ;-)

^ It's not exactly an ideal situation to emulate, since the city is stuck funding suburban service. But I guess with Kasich around, ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

Everyone understood what you were saying, except The Obtuse One. And you are right. And so is Brill. It's clever and disgusting. Let's hope someone sues the pants off anyone involved in this scheme.

I've got this one, guys. #natininja will protect you from the #FreedomNinja.

Metro is funded entirely by city taxes (no county or state), isn't it? So this would only have an effect on future funding possibilities, yeah?

^ Very surprised it's not Johnny Rockets. Never been to TKILTBAG...but I can't say I will miss it. Sort of offered something unique for the area, though, regardless of its chain status. I wonder why they have been so unsuccessful. Maybe after baseball (and to a lesser extent football) season, their target demographic had been taking a break from Downtown.

You may call it clever, I call it dispicable and immoral. I think Jeffery meant it was cleverly despicable. Jeffery is the resident (former) member of the Occupy movement on UO.

The Enquirer has an "in-depth" piece about there being no black candidate for mayor: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130211/NEWS010601/302110027 I wonder if there is a popular sentiment in the black community that there should be a black candidate, or if this is like Fox News and their famous "some people are saying..." tactic, to race-bait and stir controversy. If it is a common sentiment, the paper certainly didn't do the argument justice with their selection of vague quotes missing context. I am fairly happy with the racial mix in city government. (Maybe having a Latino on board would help with immigrant outreach? When was the last time an Asian was on council?) I don't think it does anyone much good to run a black candidate just "because there should be one." After Qualls' 8 years, I wouldn't mind watching Yvette Simpson crush Smitherman in an all-black election. :)

kjbrill, some people view going into the city as a hassle, regardless of how convenient it is made. Will that be enough to keep IN casinos going? Not sure. Frankly, I'm okay with the IN casinos dying. I would be more okay with it if I thought the downtown casino would definitely bring some collateral benefit to Pendleton or greater downtown. I'm not confident that will be the case, though. I do think a casino downtown has more revenue potential than the IN ones, though, which means regionally it would be a net benefit to trade the Horseshoe for the boats.

^ Agreed... Totally, unjustifiably immoral. Amazing what people will do for a cash grab.

Umm...wow. I hope that isn't accurate. Like...hope doesn't really describe it.

If that is enough to put Cranley in there with his stop the streetcar stance, I feel very bad about Cincinnati. Let's have both a failed subway and a failed streetcar. The citizens may have to speak up for the third time, and I hope they speak loud and clear. I'm not really worried about it. The only thing slightly disturbing is the campaign funding situation.