Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site x.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!harvard!think!mit-eddie!cybvax0!frog!x!wjr From: wjr@x.UUCP (Bill Richard) Newsgroups: net.politics.theory Subject: Re: Day to day life in Libertaria Message-ID: <802@x.UUCP> Date: Mon, 14-Oct-85 18:50:27 EDT Article-I.D.: x.802 Posted: Mon Oct 14 18:50:27 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 17-Oct-85 07:36:34 EDT References: <139@mck-csc.UUCP> Reply-To: wjr@x.UUCP (STella Calvert) Distribution: net Organization: Charles River Data Systems, Framingham MA Lines: 92 Summary: Note: This is STella Calvert, still a guest on this account. In article <139@mck-csc.UUCP> bmg@mck-csc.UUCP (Bernard M. Gunther) writes: >2 people, A and B, own property directly next to each other. Person A >likes to play his stereo late at night to the repeated annoyance of person B. >What would be the correct responce for person B? > First Try: Hi, my name's STella. I live next door. I'd rather come to your party than lie home trying to sleep. Can I come in? This has usually worked for me. If a neighbor considers I'm spending too much time at their house, they usually turn it down. Even if he says "No, my girlfriend's over", the volume usually drops. It works like a noise complaint without the grouchiness. And I've been to some good parties. Of course, sometimes I'd rather sleep.... However, assume that I don't want it mouse-quiet all the time, and don't mind occasional noise (after all, I am noisy sometimes, and invite the nabes to the party, especially if I think it'll be late or loud.) Second Try: (after Noisy has refused to stifle) Post to: Neighborhood Bugs Re: John Loud, 126 Burnam St. People: I have asked my neighbor, John Loud, to turn down his stereo late at night. He has refused. Any suggestions? Any friends of his that can arbitrate? Anybody want to trade houses? Third Try: (after Noisy Loud has told his neighbors to mind his own business) Neighborhood Arbitrators and Small Claims Court 776 Jefferson Lane Whatsit, Massachusetts Mr. John Loud 126 Burnam St. Whatsit, Massachusetts Dear Mr. Loud: A number of your neighbors have posted bond and filed charges claiming that you habitually play your sound system at a level that can be heard for a quarter mile. We are willing to act as arbitrators in this matter. However, if you feel that we are biased, we will be glad to transfer the case to an arbitration service of your choice, subject to the approval of the other party. However, if we have not heard from you within a month, we will assume that you have no objection to our participation, and will contact you to arrange a date for the hearing. Sincerely, Lucille Kropotkin What sanctions can the arbitrator impose? In the same way that a credit check can interfere with the granting of a loan, a neighborhood check might well interfere with Mr. Loud's future attempt to move into a different neighborhood. And if he was obnoxious enough, it might be difficult to find a babysitter, hire a maid, or get someone to cut his grass. At least from within the range of the neighborhood net. If he won't respect his neighbors' rights to peace and quiet, how can I know he will respect his contract to pay me for walking his dogs? These don't seem like serious sanctions, but think -- the neighborhood will be much more important in libertaria, and people will very likely move in search of a more congenial environment. Having a pointer to some people who think you aren't fit to live with on the public information utilities might make it harder for you to get into the neighborhood you want. And if you are my neighbor, and make me crazy enough, I will hire a sound engineer to return your noise to you, amplified and out of phase. That's expensive enough that I'd try the personal approach and mediation first. And probably, if I did resort to the high dB approach, your other neighbors would be ready to assist. Admittedly, I can see people refusing to turn it down even so, but here and now in the United Statists, I can hear them! STella Calvert (guest on ...!decvax!frog!wjr) Every man and every woman is a star.