Readers reply: Do good fences really make good neighbours?

To a certain extent, "good fences make good neighbours", according to the well-known Robert Frost poem Mending Wall. But in reality, this saying is often misunderstood as a justification for isolation rather than an invitation to engage with one's community.

The poem itself suggests that boundaries are meant to be shared and strengthened through joint efforts, not barriers that separate us from others. It's about the sweat and toil we put into repairing our fences – literally and metaphorically – that fosters relationships and a sense of belonging.

Some readers took issue with this interpretation, pointing out that physical boundaries can be crucial in maintaining respect for individual spaces. Others argued that good fences are not about excluding those who may become a nuisance, but rather about establishing clear limits that protect our own well-being.

Interestingly, the cost of solar panels has led to some creative uses for fencing – essentially repurposing them as a means to generate renewable energy. This highlights the diverse ways fences can be used to serve multiple purposes.

In conclusion, while good fences may not necessarily guarantee harmonious neighbourly relations, they do play an important role in setting boundaries and maintaining individual dignity.
 
omg i'm like totally with the people who say good fences are about sharing boundaries not isolating ourselves 🤗 thinkin about this one is makin me wanna get out there and start rebuildin my own fence and build a community around it, you know? its all about findin that sweet spot between respect for individual spaces and community engagement... and btw i just got the most beautiful solar panels installed on my fence and now i'm gettin a steady stream of free energy 🌞💚
 
Fences can be super interesting 🤔... I mean, who would've thought repurposing them as solar panels was a thing? It just goes to show how creative we can get when it comes to reusing materials. And you're right, having good fences isn't about excluding people, but more about setting boundaries and respecting each other's space. I can totally see why some people might think physical barriers are necessary, but at the same time, I feel like it's all about finding that balance between individuality and community vibes 🌈💕
 
I'm not buying it 🤔. If fences are just meant to be shared and strengthened through joint efforts, then why do people still think it's okay to build walls around their houses or communities? That doesn't seem like the "sweat and toil" the poem is talking about. And what about all the people who can't afford solar panels to repurpose their fencing into renewable energy? It sounds like just a fancy way of saying "rich people can be cool with fences, but poor people have to deal". 🤑
 
Fences are like online profiles – we set them up to keep people out who might be toxic, but it's also how we connect with others who share similar interests 🤝💻 I mean, think about it, solar panels being repurposed as fences is all about finding a balance between individual space and community vibes 🌞🏠. It's not about keeping everyone at arm's length, but more about creating limits that make us feel secure and respected 💪🏼👍
 
I totally get what the poem is saying 🤔, we don't need fences just to keep people out, but to build connections with our community too. I mean, think about it, when was the last time you actually talked to your neighbour? Fences are just a part of that, right?

And yeah, physical boundaries can be a good thing, I'm not saying we should all just invite strangers into our homes 🤷‍♀️. But at the same time, they shouldn't stop us from building relationships with people around us either.

I love how solar panels are giving fencing a new purpose 💡, it's like we're finding creative ways to repurpose things and not just leave them sitting there. Maybe good fences aren't about making life easy for ourselves, but about making life easier for others too 🌈?
 
omg i just got back from my neighbor's house for a BBQ and we were totes discussing this poem 🤣 i feel like the whole "good fences make good neighbors" thing is just code for not being nosy about other ppl's business lol but at the same time, i get what it means - our fence needs repairin anyway so maybe it's just an excuse to have a bonfire party 🏕️ and btw my neighbor just got a new solar panel system on their house and now they're all like "hello sunshine" with their fancy green energy 💚
 
😊 I think people are being way too harsh on this poem thing. Like, yeah we need some boundaries, no one wants to live next to a crazy person 🤪... but at the same time, it's not about isolating ourselves from others. We can have our fences and still hang out with our neighbors and stuff. And honestly, repurposing old fencing as solar panels? That's genius! 🌞💡 It just goes to show that even something as mundane as a fence can be used for more than just keeping people out. Plus, it highlights how we can get creative and find new uses for things, you know? Like, why not use an old fence to make some cash or help the planet? 🌎💸
 
I feel like the poem is kinda like when we're working on group projects at school... if everyone just does their part and contributes to the wall (or project), it's way more likely to succeed and make us all feel proud of what we've accomplished 📚💪. But, like, some people might get mad if they think someone is slacking off or not pulling their weight, which is a bit like how fences can be seen as boundaries that protect our own space (like, personal space in school) 🛋️👥.
 
idk about this "good fences make good neighbours" thing 🤔... i think it's just a fancy way of sayin' we're all just tryna avoid each other 😂. like, if i had to choose between gettin' to know my neighbour or havin' a sweet new bike, idc which one 🚴‍♂️. and another thing, what's with the whole "fences are for individual spaces" vibe? can't we just be chill with each other already? 😜
 
🤔 I gotta disagree with some folks on this one... thinkin' that good fences are all about keepin' people out is like sayin' a social safety net's only for those who need it. What about the people who are just tryin' to set boundaries 'n maintain their own sanity? Like, can't we find a way to respect individual spaces without makin' everyone else feel left out? 🌐 I mean, I love the creative ways solar panels are bein' repurposed as fences... that's innovation! But let's not forget, good fences ain't just about keepin' it in or out, they're about community. We gotta find a way to make them work for everyone, not just those who need 'em most. 💡
 
Fences can get a bad rep, but think about it this way - have you ever seen a fence that's all like "nope, I'm gonna stay here by myself"? No! They're usually the ones in front of houses with lots of people living together or at least having a BBQ 🎉. It's about striking a balance between being respectful of others' space and not letting them trample on yours. And who knows, solar panels are pretty cool - it just goes to show that fences can be way more than just something you put up around your yard 🌞.
 
🤔 fences are like that one person who moves into the apartment next door and you're not really sure if they'll be cool or a total pain to deal with... but I guess having some sort of boundary can help, right? 🚧💡 like, imagine your fence is literally a solar panel generator - that's like a dream come true for the eco-warrior in me! 💚 we need to find ways to make fences work for us, not just keep people out... and who knows, maybe it'll even bring some neighbours together 🤝
 
"People are drawn to what is familiar and easy, but there is no great fortune in being content with things as they are." 🤔 Fences can be a good thing, but it's all about perspective. We need boundaries for our own protection, but we also need to make sure those boundaries aren't isolating us from others. It's about finding that balance and using fences as a tool to connect with our communities, not just separate ourselves from them. 🌳
 
I totally get what Frost is tryin' to say 🤔. It's like, our walls/gates/fences ain't just about keepin' people out, but also 'bout how we choose to engage with the world around us. I mean, think about it - fences can be a barrier, but they can also be a part of somethin' bigger. Like, have you seen those solar panel fence things? That's some genius innovation right there 💡. It shows that our fences/fences don't just serve one purpose, they can serve many. So yeah, I think Frost was onto somethin' with this whole "good fences" vibe 🌳💚
 
I think it's kinda weird that people are all divided on this fence thing... like I'm for it but then also against it at the same time 🤔. Seriously though, what if fences can be both useful and annoying at the same time? I mean, they keep us safe and stuff, but also make our lives a bit more complicated with boundaries and all that. And don't even get me started on solar panels – who knew they could be used for fencing in the first place? 😂 It's like we're just making fences do too many things... maybe that's the problem? 🤷
 
I think it's so true that good fences aren't just about keeping people out, but also about creating a sense of community and belonging 🌳💡. I mean, who hasn't loved a beautiful garden or a scenic park with a nice fence around it? But seriously, I think the creative uses for solar panels is a great example of how we can repurpose old materials to make our communities more sustainable & eco-friendly 🌟. It's all about finding that balance between individual space and community connection 🔒💕. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good DIY project? 😊
 
I don't think we should take that poem too literally lol 🤣. I mean, who wants to spend all day mending walls? It's all about finding a balance between being respectful of people's space and engaging with the community, right? 🌳 I do think those solar panel fences are genius though 💡. I've seen some cool DIY projects using old pallets and fencing to create garden beds and whatnot. Maybe we can learn from each other... or at least not tear each other down 😊.
 
OMG I love how this poem is being reinterpreted in a more modern light! 🤩 I mean, yeah we all need some space to ourselves but at the same time it's so true that boundaries are meant to be shared and strengthened together with our community. And can we talk about how creative those solar panel fences are? 💡 Like who knew they could be used for more than just keeping our yards looking pretty? I'm definitely taking this as an inspiration to get out there and engage with my neighbours (and maybe even start a solar panel fence project of my own!) 🌞
 
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