The development of this piece began with the simple observation of moss growing within sidewalk cracks. As I contemplated this rather beautiful phenomenon during neighborhood walks, I was also mulling over media reports about the National Security Agency’s data collection, particularly in light of Edward Snowden’s revelations. The moss began to symbolize that infiltration—a creeping loss of privacy, a gradual erosion of rights. What may appear rather benign instead has a highly destructive capacity, capable of crumbling foundations, whether these are foundations of trust or a country's founding principles.