Gang stories

Though it's no longer being updated, gangstories is worthwhile, if painful, reading.

These stories are truly chilling in their violence (and I can appreciate why the author doesn't want to continue writing them) but they're also incredibly insightful. This, for example, is most clear-headed explanation of retribution I've ever read:

The social function of retribution is to build a reputation over time that says "sure, you can get me now. But if so, six of my boys are going to put you in a trunk next week." What that does is increase the cost of attacking someone, making them less likely to get attacked. However, it's also costly to build that reputation. It requires actually carrying out retribution -- which is dangerous and time consuming -- and making a credible commitment to doing it every time in the future. Becoming untouchable is a social investment like any other. (From Retribution as Ghetto Insurance)

And this is regret:

It's one of life's great tragedies that the permanent brands of your own stupidity end up on the backs of the people who love you most. (From The Rose)

Go read them now.