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We have already acknowledged that there are certain things that are not property because they are not confined by or subject to boundaries that can be defined or described. It is thus true as we have also explained, that an item not subject to the control of an owner is not a property. Ownership is a condition of value, boundary, and control. One area where control cannot be exercised is the "good name" or reputation of a person. We have laws that attempt to make it appear that each person has a property in his own reputation. Thus, if one person says something against another, that person might be sued for libel or slander. The fact is however that you have no control over what someone else may think of you. You may feel that you are deserving of the highest consideration by others. Whether or not they will actually extend that consideration to you is entirely another matter. You cannot control the thoughts or opinions of other people. You may conduct yourself in such a way that you deserve a good reputation, but you cannot compel other people's regard or opinion of you. In actual fact, what other people think of you is factually the property of each person harboring that thought or any variant. What they think of you is their property, for they can control it. It is not yours. It has a value to them, is bounded wthin their own minds, and is subject to their control alone. You may be able to influence their opinion, but you cannot control it for them.
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