A Lot Of Vacancies

I think we all often wonder why there's such evil in the world. Those who are especially religious or believe in the basic goodness of humankind are probably most at a loss for an explanation. I don't know that I can proffer one, but I do know that to me it makes sense that evil must exist as a contrast. As I read in an otherwise forgettable novelization of a film, without darkness there can be no light. Some people of faith who are somewhat more versed in scripture would say that evil exists according to God's will, so as to give us the choice of goodness rather than a mandate. Sometimes I prefer to choose evil, as Huck Finn believed himself to be doing towards the end of his story.

There's a mundane kind of evil that exists in every community. Perhaps you'll see the above buildup as unjustified, so small is the badness I put forward. Wherever you live, you are bound to be aware of a vacant lot- a parcel of land large or small which has been entirely unimproved by its owner (whether that be a private concern or the government). This piece of land is nothing but trouble, by and large. It accrues trash more than anything. Weeds grow there nearly as high as the hideous fence around it. Both vegetation and alleged security measures make the site extremely appealing as a campground for vagrants or a disposal area for evidence from felonious crimes. Worst of all, come election season, the candidates all plant their signs on its most prominent side or corner. It's a most regrettable place.

It's a necessary place too. Twice a year, it is positively indispensable. If your neighborhood lacks a vacant lot, then where is it to sell pumpkins in October and Christmas trees in December? I put it to you that it cannot, leaving the place where you live poorer in spirit. I also judge the vacant lot to be valuable according to the artistic principle of negative space. If your town had something notable and worthy at every spot within its limits, nothing would get the attention it was due, so mind-boggled would be each onlooker. Everyone loses then. It must be clear and known by all where the good part of town is and the bad part; it must be obvious what blocks to ignore in favor of the ones not to miss. With the vacant lot, it loses that the rest might win. Without the lot, there are no winners. Besides, if you see the value in it for no other reason, then think of the children. If they're not up to no good at the vacant lot, then they're out on the streets, and no one wants that.

You may be thinking to yourself that there must be a better way. There is not one. Make the lot into a park or anything else and you grant it some kind of innate appeal which renders it useless. You couldn't even pave it or trim the overgrowth. Just leave it be, and it will serve your community well. Don't give in to the shortsighted and intolerant attitude of NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard). This vacant lot is as necessary as power plants and freeways. If you do away with the one near you, then it may be your own home which is seized by the power of eminent domain and demolished to fill the void. Just leave well enough alone, won't you? Thanks for your time.