Fact: NIMBY doesn't refer to literal backyards.

Of course. Which nullifies any argument about whether it is Yes-in-my-back-yard or yes-in-your-back-yard. You only get to make that distinction if you're talking about your own literal back yard.

I think this comment is accurate just from a logical standpoint. Backyard has two possible meanings here:

* Literal backyard: in this case, then maybe one could argue that if we accept the premise[1] that YIMBYs aren't homeowners, then they are in fact arguing about other people's backyards.

* Figurative backyard: in this case, then whether someone is a homeowner is irrelevant, because the backyard refers to the general area, shared by all residents.

Of course, as we know from this thread, backyard in [N|Y]IMBY refers to the figurative backyard. Therefore, we must reject the argument that people are arguing over other's backyards.

[1]: As I argue elsewhere in this thread, I don't think we should accept this premise.

Civilization is a balancing of competing interests. Your rights in your property are enforced by the community, with limits and conditionally. The community which you are asking to enforce for you has interests too.