[_fat_santa]

Only in California will you find someone who can say with a straight face: "we need more housing" followed by "no we can't allow that housing". It seems to me that Californian's (at least the activists) like the idea of more housing, they just hate more housing.

It's almost like the folks screaming about "affordable housing" figured out they like yelling about the problem more than they actually want the problem to be solved.

[chmod600]

I met someone that seemed to experience the cognitive dissonance in real time. Voted for people who advocated affordable housing. They built some next to her and she started calling and complaining and going to meetings.

Apparently the building was too tall or too close or too many of the people in it were not the sort she wanted to live next to. But shes is still a fan of affordable housing in other neighborhoods.

[milkytron]

Definition of NIMBY

[chmod600]

True, but there's an interesting difference between this case and, e.g., nuclear power or something.

Government is one way to outsource charity. Vote for programs, pay your taxes, and you care. When it actually affects you directly, that's a very different kind of charity, and requires a different kind of caring.

[lucasmullens]

> Only in California will you find someone who can say with a straight face: "we need more housing" followed by "no we can't allow that housing".

I don't think NIMBYism is confined to California. Lots of people understand more housing is needed somewhere, but also don't want a high-rise next door to them.

[ransom1538]

"It seems to me that Californian's (at least the activists) like the idea of more housing, they just hate more housing."

As a I Californian, think it's darker. I think Californians don't believe in more housing at all. I think they will say to your face they want more lower income housing, but behind closed voting booth they vote NO to housing.