My neighbors are currently organizing in opposition to a proposed 36-unit apartment building on a commercial lot. The developer held a community meeting, and the opponents impressed themselves by getting 150 attendees to show up. "We're tired of these NIMBY tropes!", they say.
I point out: "150 attendees is just 0.03% of the municipality, and in fact really only a small multiple of the number of people who will end up living in this new development".
They respond, "Why would you expect anybody who doesn't live directly adjacent to this planned development to attend? It's not going to be built in their back yard, so they won't care."
I point out: "150 attendees is just 0.03% of the municipality, and in fact really only a small multiple of the number of people who will end up living in this new development".
They respond, "Why would you expect anybody who doesn't live directly adjacent to this planned development to attend? It's not going to be built in their back yard, so they won't care."