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The real **mallsballs** are inside all of us here in the Adelaide community. 
Those pictured are just a physical representation; and were never as shiny, polished or well-rounded as the ones we bring with us, to knock together at The Jade. 
It's all a question of perspective. I'm sure there are Aboriginal people who consider the balls, and even the mall itself, to be vandalism of the dirt and rocks which were there 200 years ago. 
I don't claim to have any sort of stake in the balls; on the grounds that I've been robbed by the State government for the last couple of decades. That's not being a property owner, it's being a victim. 
Has anyone asked the guy why he did it? 
What's your big opinion? 

This is such a conundrum and in South Africa, too, these debates are raging.  You raise, in my head, three important issues:  consequences of actions; punishment and/or restorative justice - with the victim(s) in mind as well as the value of education.  Like you, I have opinions on all three and I think that the arguments in favour of all or nothing are not simple, but very nuanced to the point of, sometimes, being case-specific.

With graffiti, too, I think there is a challenge where, internationally, "tag" artists are getting much kudos for their work and it's being featured all over the show - to great acclaim.  Begs the question:  when does vandalism become art?  When it's in the eye of the beholder?  And then, the consequences of fame, money, reputation seem somewhat anomalous to me.

Back to the issue of punishment - in this case, this seems to be either malicious or, at best, kids' pranks.  Doesn't excuse it, though.  From an objective outsider's perspective, I'd be inclined to want to know the motive behind the behaviour and if it was just a kids' prank, cleaning up, naming and shaming may do the trick.  If it was malicioius, then no.  Throw the book at him/her (probably him).  In both instances there are consequences to be borne.  

I do understand the anger and outrage, but perhaps because of the issues our society faces, I'm inclined to suggest that a clean-up is infinitely more palatable than hospital visits or a funeral.  Or, as is the case of the widespread vandilising of the country's metro rail system, virtually crippling the economy of cities like Cape Town.  No, I am not being flippant and yes, I agree that there ought to be consequences as I've already said, and I acknowledge that petty crime can lead to more significant crime, but sometimes it's helpful to take a step back to get perspective.  I did like the example of the construction worker and his son.  That said, not all parents would have seen sense;  some seem incapbable of it when it comes to their "darlings".

On the education thing.  I worked in the post school education and training arena for well nigh 30 years and one of the things that is patently clear to me, that the old adage "there's none so deaf as those who won't hear", applies here, too.  So I agree that unless there is a genuine motivation to learn, what's the point of education?

In the village where I live, we had a wonderful event over the weekend where 50 bicycles were handed over to children and famliies from poorer part of the town.  Yesterday morning, I was doing an errand and two kids came flying round a corner, through a stop street on the wrong side of the road.  I had right of way and had I not had to slow down to turn, myself, I might have not seen them and the potential consequences are too awful to contemplate.  When I got home, I asked the organiser whether there had been any prep and awareness of the rules of the road.  Nope.  It's being done with the next bike drop was the response.  In November.  Now, I'm asking myself whether it would have done any good to have had that ahead of time?  I don't know.  Kids will be kids, taking chances and doing what kids to - look, mum, no hands, and all that jazz.  No amount of education will change that.  So...  Sigh....

Back to the mall's balls:  I, too, would feel a sense of personal outrage at the vandalising of one of my own creations, or a friend's , so I have a sense of what you and @mattclarke must be feeling, which begs another question about the motivation:  was it personal?  But now having read his comment, perhaps not.

I guess my ramblings are a long way of saying that I don't think that there is a one-size-fits-all solution to this conundrum.  I do hope that the community and authorities come to some arrangement that appeases everyone and where the perpetrators are suitably chastised and pay for what they have done.

This is such a well thought out and written piece. And top marks for using "tomfoolery" too (love that word). I do think there is a lot to be said for "restorative justice" where the perpertrator meets with the victim and comes to understand the impact of his/her crime. There is little evidence that prison "fixes" people, it just makes things worse. And aside from the psychopaths most criminals are not "born" that way. If you take away someones chance to be a meaningful member of society and label them as a criminal too early then what choice do they have. I do believe in self fulfilling prophecies and also that if you treat someone a certain way then eventually most people will behave in that way.

Having said that, I know the anger that comes in being a victim of a crime. Which is why we have a justice system, that emotion is taken away so that people can be judged fairly (well that's the idea, anyway).

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Thanks for the insightful post. There is so much to dissect here. To me, the biggest question is the difference between punishment, which you referred to multiple time, and consequences. As a former teacher, I was taught that *punishment* doesn't work. It doesn't cause a lasting or meaningful change in behavior. Further, I was taught that *consequences*, when suited to the offence, work to modify behavior long-term. I tried to find a decent source to support this regarding adults, but a quick google search only turned up child psychology results like [this one](https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/punishment-vs-logical-consequences/). 

I don't know if punishment vs. consequence has been studied in adults, but I know that in America, the "rehabilitative" system is a joke. There is no rehabilitation that actually occurs. People in prisons, or rehab centers, are guided through programs that are designed to look good on paper and make money for the corporations with very few positive outcomes for the individual. They are being administered a *punishment* for their behavior. They are not typically taught different coping strategies or why that behavior was harmful. Their empathy is not strengthened in prison. Their work ethic is not promoted. They are not recognized for their positive features, but rather applauded for the wrongdoing that they committed in the first place.

The prison hierarchy celebrates certain types of crimes and provides incentives for individuals to commit more crimes while in prison - effectively teaching them to be better criminals. Were the justice system reworked to include *consequences* that fit the crime along with education, I believe the recidivism rates would drop drastically. How does a year in prison teach your graffitiest **why** his actions are harmful? Instead, it will give him time to stew on how unfair the system is and learn from other criminals how to be better at it next time.

Yes, take away his freedom for a while. But also teach him why that is necessary. Teach him the effects of his actions on others and teach him to actually *feel* for those who are effected by his actions. At that point, he will gladly offer to make restitution for what he's done. In this way, he can still feel good about himself, pay for what he's caused, and **contribute** to his community in a meaningful way. 

I could go on and on, but I won't. I'm already a little sidetracked from my original point.

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I certainly believe in punishment, but punishment should match the crime. We don't cut off the hands of people who are guilty of traffic violations, but we suspend their licenses if they drive under the influence of drugs are alcohol. Education has its place in rehabilitation, but it's not a panacea. It won't fix all problems if it fixes any. As for vigilantism, while it happens in the U.S., most of us have some aversion to its use. We'd prefer that the criminal justice system do its job.

Graffiti and vandalism have always bothered me.  I admit I can't understand the mindset to deface anything.  To me they're angry gestures, yet when you ask someone who's been caught in the act their answers are usually 'Because I felt like it.'  There is no rhyme or reason to their thinking. 
 
I like a few of the suggestions.  I do feel that if the person is caught, they should have to do community service of not only cleaning up their mess but other maybe not so 'clean' messes like help the sewer district LOL I know that's a bit nuts.  Humiliation just makes the more angry, so making them wear a vest that says vandal on it will egg it on (oh bad pun). 

Somewhere in the past 25 years or so, people have really lost respect for others and property.  I know what I did when my kids are growing up to instill them with these values, but I honestly don't know if these things can be taught to someone that truly doesn't care. The thought of someone spray painting the glass pyramid at the Louvre. Smashing stained glass in a church that's been there for well over a hundred years.  I'm sure things like this have happened.  Putting them in jail is just silly. Why make them a burden to taxpayers?  That's why I think them spending the time cleaning up what they did and helping more in the community might (a very big might) put things in a different light.  

As for the lady with the banana.  I like the fact that the footballer wanted her educated.  Hate is hard thing to overcome. Again something else that has no rhyme or reason.  It ultimately is how you are raised. Yet I have seen that change.  Growing up we were taught not to hate in fact if we used the word we got in more trouble then accidentally dropping the F-bomb.  I have things in my life I guess I should hate, but I can't.  I see no use in it. It doesn't change anything.  With this said, either my mother hid it very well or as she's gotten older she's listened to too much crap.  She has turned into 'unless you were born in this country, you don't belong here.'  Umm, yeah problem with that is her grandparents on both mother and father's side immigrated through Ellis Island from Norway.   When I bring it up she then changes it to those who aren't here legally.   The worst though is for someone who did not believe in pushing religion on either myself or my brother, she has developed some crazy thinkings there.  That might make a great post lol.  

Omg sorry I got long winded. I love discussions like this. To me this is how we end the hate and the anger. We have to communicate better, interact more.

Here is my two cents worth and it is about the racism and education level. Some of the most highly educated folks here in the US have been known to let fly some some racist comments or words, so I wouldn't say lack of education has anything to with racism, I would offer that people lack in love and compassion which can be expressed with racist tendencies.
Like I said , just my two cents worth.

For me the banana incident says a lot in this regard. For many, the consequences of finding everyone disapproving of your actions can be humiliating just the awakening you need to realise this is not acceptable behaviour. We are community creatures and back in the days of smaller communities your behaviour was regulated by what was acceptable to the group. Otherwise you'd find yourself ousted and that really isn't a great feeling.

Thus, on the subject of the graffiti vandal, what was his motive? Was he tagging because the risk gets approval in certain circles? The more esteemed the property you're tagging, the more revered you might behind in that circle. Or was it simply an act of rebellion or boredom? 

I think the impact of punishment, consequence or education often depends on how the offender has been raised in the first place. If they have learnt empathy and an understanding of how actions affect others, then any of these methods could cause them to see error in their actions. However, if they have been raised to never have consequences for their actions or have maybe even been ignored, then would any make an impact? Maybe bad attention was the only attention they were ever able to get, so the pattern continues and any of the above would be welcomed. 



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If the worst thing that happens in your city is some vandalism you should be right.

Personally I believe most of it comes from the ones with huge money trying to keep it, and also trying to keep us down in any way that they can

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