<p><span style="color: rgb(29, 28, 29);">Where have all the benches gone? Deputy Opinion Editor Mark Lasswell reflects on the causes and consequences of the “defensive architecture” replacing seating in public spaces. Plus, contributing columnist Rick Reilly shares just how hard it’s become to find an Airbnb or VRBO that doesn’t feel like the inside of a Target.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Additional reading by our columnists:</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Mark Lasswell: </span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/06/22/punctuation-semicolon-debate/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=impromptu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">This punctuation mark is semi-dead. People have thoughts.</a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Rick Reilly: </span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/05/15/digital-hermit-life/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=impromptu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">I have decided never to go outside again</a></p><p><br></p><p>Subscribe to The Washington Post<a href="https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/acquisition/?s_l=OFFSITE_PODCAST&p=s_v&s_dt=yearly&utm[%E2%80%A6]e-podcast&utm_medium=acq-nat&utm_campaign=podcast-subs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </a><a href="https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/acquisition/?s_l=OFFSITE_PODCAST&p=s_v&s_dt=yearly&utm[%E2%80%A6]e-podcast&utm_medium=acq-nat&utm_campaign=podcast-subs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
