NIMBY: a sign that we have become a selfish nation?

The Nimby (not in my backyard) syndrome is used in a pejorative way to describe residents' opposition to proposals of developments close to where they live. Such developments are seen as needed but should be located somewhere else. The opposing residents are sometimes called Nimbies.

Well, the Nimby Syndrome has manifested itself once again. Some future residents of Fernvale Lea are upset that a columbarium housed in a temple would be built close to their future homes. Some have asked HDB for a refund. 

Residents said that HDB should have been more upfront about the columbarium even though it was clearly indicated in the HDB brochure that a temple in the vicinity may include a columbarium, albeit in fine print. 

Here is the brochure. Zoom in to read the fine print. 
http://bit.ly/1zNN0MN

In their confusion, some residents wanted to know why the Chinese temple was being developed by a private company. But just how relevant is the developer of the temple to their objection of a columbarium? Does it mean to say that if the developer of the temple and columbarium is not a private developer, the columbarium will be acceptable to them? 

Back in 2012, there was also an outcry over the Ministry of Health's proposal to build a nursing home on an empty grass patch in Bishan St 13. There was also a petition submitted to MOH. 

Can anyone understand the objection to the building of a facility to take care of the elderly infirm among us? 

Among the reasons given by residents at that time for their objection:

One resident said his children would have to play football in the void deck and stain the walls. 

Another said he would soon have the sound of old people groaning right into his home. 

Is the Nimby syndrome a sign that we are becoming a more selfish nation?