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"We Give Privacy": A Lesson from the Grand Canyon

Some years ago, I was lucky enough to get on a raft trip down the Grand Canyon. There were about 20 of us. The first day, we loaded the rafts and started off down the river between vertical walls of rock. Occasionally we'd pass a small beach with room for camping, but mostly, just vertical rock on both sides. At the end of the day, we pulled our rafts up onto a small sandy area to spend the night. The lead guide briefed us on the routine we'd follow for the next 20 days. He pointed out that on most of the beaches we'd camp on, there would not be a completely secluded space for the portable toilet. We'd have limited privacy. "In this situation," he said, "what we do is, we give privacy."

What a concept. Give away what we wish to have.

Can you think of current social and political disagreements where this solves major problems?