Two neighbors arguing over a fence line spend an afternoon with a mediator and reach an agreement that preserves their relationship and costs $400. Another neighbor facing the same dispute goes to court, spends $15,000 on lawyers over two years, and emerges with a judgment but a permanently destroyed relationship with the person living next door. A worker with a discrimination complaint discovers their employment contract requires arbitration, forcing them into a private process where the arbitrator's past rulings favor employers and no appeal is possible.