Homeless Hotspots

[KenzieQsMommy]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/2012/03/13/sxsw-homeless-hotspots_n_1342972.html
Can someone click-ify this pretty please?
Basically in Austin TX about a dozen homeless people were paid to walk around carrying wifi signals. Some are for it and some are against it.

Thoughts? Good idea? Bad idea?

[Nicky2911]

haha I love your signature. Off topic I know but had to laugh

Quoting blue_apalt:

[dkej743]

 Hey it's a way they can make money, why not

[LowryCuisine]

I like it. It gives the homeless a way to earn some money that otherwise they may not have gotten, and it opens up the eys of people who would otherwise look the other way.

[1lv2stks3nlz4ev]

 for $50 a day I would wander around being a mobile hotspot.... its only 6 hours and its not like I couldn't use the exercise! In an economy where too many people can't find a job or a roof over their heads this is awesome.

[kelli0585]

But how is a homeless man with wi-fi capabilities any more dangerous than a homeless man without one?

Homeless =/= addict.  

Maybe my vision is skewed because I see them every day.  (I actually live in Austin)

Quoting KenzieQsMommy:

They might not always be able to, but its scary nonetheless. Addicts would do just about anything and while I'd like to think they pre-screened everyone, addicts can surprise you.

Quoting kelli0585:

How in the hell would a homeless person steal your laptop?  It's a wireless transaction.  You don't plug into the homeless dude's pocket.  

And the wireless signal, I'm sure, would stretch more than 50 feet.  

Quoting PortiaRose:

LOL! I like the idea. but then you will get homeless people who are addicts and wanna steal the laptops, and you will have people who dont stand close enough to the homeless to interact, just to get their wireless.

[powow65]

 each to their own.

[KenzieQsMommy]

I don't think they are any more dangerous, I just think may have a more unique opportunity. Its not everyday  businessmen/women are outside on their laptops in large numbers. Certainly not everyday that they are any where near them, and WILLINGLY lol.

I see homeless people everyday, I live in downtown Denver. I do not think they are all addicts, that's not at all what I was trying to say. But lets face it, the vast majority are and any addict, homeless or not, would seize an opportunity for a high.

But like I said, I would hope that for the sake of safety within the city they would find a way to screen them.

Quoting kelli0585:

But how is a homeless man with wi-fi capabilities any more dangerous than a homeless man without one?

Homeless =/= addict.  

Maybe my vision is skewed because I see them every day.  (I actually live in Austin)

Quoting KenzieQsMommy:

They might not always be able to, but its scary nonetheless. Addicts would do just about anything and while I'd like to think they pre-screened everyone, addicts can surprise you.

Quoting kelli0585:

How in the hell would a homeless person steal your laptop?  It's a wireless transaction.  You don't plug into the homeless dude's pocket.  

And the wireless signal, I'm sure, would stretch more than 50 feet.  

Quoting PortiaRose:

LOL! I like the idea. but then you will get homeless people who are addicts and wanna steal the laptops, and you will have people who dont stand close enough to the homeless to interact, just to get their wireless.

 

[PEEK05]

I don't really know what to think about it.

[SatyrsMom]

Well then taking ppl that have no money or home and giving them a way make legal money and they are doing something that they know how to do and can do. How is this bad? No one is being exploided! No one is feeling bad or being made fun of! It is about time that someone helps a major issue in our country! I'm ALL for it! I plan on hiring homeless woman, battered woman AND ppl with crominal backgrounds within reason.

[illinoismommy83]

It exploits them to give them jobs?

Uh. Ok. Usually the cure to homelessness is getting a job. I know if I was homeless I'd do any non-sexual job you offered me so I could save money and get back on my feet.

Quoting KenzieQsMommy:

Some people think it exploits the homeless.

Quoting illinoismommy83:

So some homeless people were given jobs that paid $50+ per day in cash... uh, whats the problem?

I live in a college town. People would be lining up for $50 cash for 6 hours of "work" where all you had to do was walk around downtown. I love to walk, I'd take it as a part time job.