Soundproofing can be extremely useful, but it&#x27;s also expensive and unavailable for most tenants. Because it involves construction work, quality soundproofing can&#x27;t happen without the consent of the landlord.<p>I think a lot of people are overlooking a solution that would improve quality of life: Make it easier to punish noisy people.<p>Even when I&#x27;ve lived near busy streets like Van Ness, most of my annoyances have come from inside the building, not outside. It&#x27;s amazing how much grief a careless neighbor can inflict on the dozens around them. All it takes is a subwoofer and a taste for bass. Even if multiple neighbors complain, there&#x27;s little that can be done. In my case, most of the neighbors –including myself– gave up and moved. Had the laws been more reasonable, the only one moving would be the cause of the nuisance.