Teddy Siegel

A public good. In economics, a public good is something that everyone can benefit from. And very importantly, one person benefiting from it doesn't stop another person from benefiting from it as well. Think clean air or lighthouses. Governments typically decide what to treat like a public good. And Rick says he would put public toilets on that list.

The problem is the U.S. government has never fully embraced toilets as a public good. It's just not been a priority.

The problem is the U.S. government has never fully embraced toilets as a public good. It's just not been a priority.

The problem is the U.S. government has never fully embraced toilets as a public good. It's just not been a priority.

Toilets fall into this economic and legal netherworld. Where pay toilets are prohibited, the government is preventing the free market from solving the problem. But they also aren't treating it like a public good. They're not providing sufficient bathrooms to the public. And when they do, it can be the stuff of nightmares. Like this bathroom Rick once used in Central Park.

Toilets fall into this economic and legal netherworld. Where pay toilets are prohibited, the government is preventing the free market from solving the problem. But they also aren't treating it like a public good. They're not providing sufficient bathrooms to the public. And when they do, it can be the stuff of nightmares. Like this bathroom Rick once used in Central Park.

Toilets fall into this economic and legal netherworld. Where pay toilets are prohibited, the government is preventing the free market from solving the problem. But they also aren't treating it like a public good. They're not providing sufficient bathrooms to the public. And when they do, it can be the stuff of nightmares. Like this bathroom Rick once used in Central Park.

Oh my goodness.

Oh my goodness.

Oh my goodness.

In most places, there are some basic bathroom rights. There are building and plumbing codes requiring certain types of businesses to offer bathrooms. Or if you have a pressing medical need, you can get a card and legally access just about any bathroom. But most people don't know these rights. They don't know how to hold businesses accountable. Someone's going to have to enforce that, right?

In most places, there are some basic bathroom rights. There are building and plumbing codes requiring certain types of businesses to offer bathrooms. Or if you have a pressing medical need, you can get a card and legally access just about any bathroom. But most people don't know these rights. They don't know how to hold businesses accountable. Someone's going to have to enforce that, right?

In most places, there are some basic bathroom rights. There are building and plumbing codes requiring certain types of businesses to offer bathrooms. Or if you have a pressing medical need, you can get a card and legally access just about any bathroom. But most people don't know these rights. They don't know how to hold businesses accountable. Someone's going to have to enforce that, right?

Would you call this like a regulatory failure?

Would you call this like a regulatory failure?

Would you call this like a regulatory failure?

And the way, of course, that many of us fill that need is by paying, just not the way we used to.

And the way, of course, that many of us fill that need is by paying, just not the way we used to.

And the way, of course, that many of us fill that need is by paying, just not the way we used to.

I've done it.