"Absorb vocal minority costs to unlock majority support Economists studying the Squamish project explained a classic political problem: projects that broadly benefit many people get blocked because a small, vocal minority of neighbors bears concentrated costs and shows up loudly to oppose them, while future beneficiaries don't yet live nearby and have no voice. The Squamish addressed this by agreeing to fund traffic upgrades and bike lanes — absorbing some costs for the opposition — which helped shift public opinion; eventually people on social media were defending the project and saying 'yes in my backyard.' When you face an asymmetric opposition problem, strategically relieving the loudest objectors' specific grievances can unlock the latent majority who wants what you're building. Source: Alex Goldmark & Jacob Lewis III, Planet Money, The Squamish Nation's Economic Experiment"