It appears that to be a sound person you need also to be a lawyer
That is not at all what I understand reading the whole thread.
My understanding, which mostly meets my own small experience, is:
- riders at lounge level might appear crazy but they are highly negotiable. They are written by people not knowing much about riders and copying other riders. They put standard mics on the riders, and will accept any replacement.
- riders at higher level might appear crazy. They might be negotiable on some aspects, or may not. Anyway they are not that crazy, they are consistent with the money at stake in such events.
Also, my own experience is: I hardly encountered huge conflicts between bands and house engineers. I find it strange to keep reading stories of wars between band's staff and house staff. Like if they were enemies forced to work together. Conflicts may happen some time, and signed contracts might be called into the discussion. That does not make sound engineers "lawyers".