The problem is ultimately how property taxes and local ordinances work in the US. It’s cheaper to buy and develop undeveloped land than to tear down and redevelop existing property. If the tax laws and ordinances were written to make it more profitable to redevelop existing property, it would go a long way to change this trend. And it would make sense for communities to do this, the larger the land area developed for a municipality, the greater the expense for maintaining streets, sidewalks, drainage, police, fire, schools, etc. So how could this be done? One example would be for property tax to be, in part, based on historic boundaries, so the farther you go from the city center the higher the taxes. Or, you could grandfather property taxes, so, you could build a brand new building or house on the property of an old house and charge the taxes based on the old house.

Regarding note taking: when I was a student I found that taking notes on paper were much more effective than annotating the book. I’d write the page number and make my notes. Then I’d fold and put the notes in the back of the book. When it came time to revisit the book I’d pull out my notes and review then and refer back to the pages that I’d written down. So so much better than highlighting and scribbling in the margins.

The Gangs of New York: An Informal History of the Underworld by Herbert Asbury

Giants in the Earth by Ole Edvart Rølvaag

Loss of income/job, debt, isolation, physical helplessness and in pain. Plus feelings of worthlessness, frustration, and sadness. Being really sick or injured can take 3 - 12 months to recover from. That’s a long time.