It's important to see that it's not a mere case of taking an existing principle and extending it too far; it's an entirely new principle. What is NIMBYism? NIM

It's important to see that it's not a mere case of taking an existing principle and extending it too far; it's an entirely new principle. What is NIMBYism? NIMBYism is opposition to necessary structures (that we all want) being built in specific places (e.g. near me). NIMBYism is saying that, while you understand that we need a water treatment plant -- you agree that we should build one -- you want to locate it on the other side of town (i.e. not in my backyard). That's not what this is. This is the desire to limit building entirely. It's the desire to prevent certain areas from growing, getting bigger. It's an opposition to density. It's a reactionary, conservative, nostalgic preference for the past. It's the belief that San Francisco should look like it did on the day you bought your house for the rest of all time. And it's an attempt to lock in enormous housing gains. These are not the same thing. One is not "taking the other too far." It's a totally different thing.