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I think this sounds like a neat idea and the homeless people seem to like being able to make some money without a lot of hassles. But some people think its not right, complaining that it is dehumanizing and separating the haves & have nots. What do you think?
"Homeless hot spots" began as a charitable experiment at the SXSW Interactive conference in Austin, Texas, but quickly morphed into a debate about the ethics of bridging the digital divide."
After my first initial reaction of "huh", I actually looked into it a bit more. I too think this is a novel idea. Kind of a win win situation. The homeless earn some money and mobile hotspots are created. It's just that initial what the... that you must get over to see its value.
Well I don't get it. Are they wandering around airports and train stations? Who would pay some guy for wifi access then watch em wander off and you lose connection? Why would they stand there until your done surfing or whatever? Do groups of people wander around behind em messaging away on their cell phones? Somehow in this insane tweetybird,facebook, texting insanity that has become the US I can see that. LOL
Well I don't get it. Are they wandering around airports and train stations? Who would pay some guy for wifi access then watch em wander off and you lose connection? Why would they stand there until your done surfing or whatever? Do groups of people wander around behind em messaging away on their cell phones? Somehow in this insane tweetybird,facebook, texting insanity that has become the US I can see that. LOL
I just brainstormed a idea, the out in the country places with no internet service we can ship in the homeless. Strap the devices to them and stretch them out for miles. We can get a gvt loan and then go bankrupt but before that give ourselves 500 thousand $ bonuses. Are you in? anybody?
I think it's a good idea. It's a way for the marginally employable to provide a benefit to society. My only concern is that some will attack them and steal their wireless devices.
I think it's a good idea. It's a way for the marginally employable to provide a benefit to society. My only concern is that some will attack them and steal their wireless devices.
It's more likely the homeless will steal the device and sell it or trade it for something.
It's more likely the homeless will steal the device and sell it or trade it for something.
If the program is ran like the street newspaper ones, there will be controls in place that will keep that from happening. I'm a little worried about having homeless people wandering around with an advertisement that they are carrying something valuable though.
Well I don't get it. Are they wandering around airports and train stations? Who would pay some guy for wifi access then watch em wander off and you lose connection? Why would they stand there until your done surfing or whatever? Do groups of people wander around behind em messaging away on their cell phones? Somehow in this insane tweetybird,facebook, texting insanity that has become the US I can see that. LOL
Well, it sounds like you pay them for 15 minute increments of service. You pay whatever you want. The company doing this guarantees them $50 for 6 hours of work. I think they just stay stationary for that time.
It is a bit weird; but seems like the Homeless like the idea. I think it eliminates the bureaucratic paperwork & formality involved in most jobs that scare off the Homeless. Anyway, interesting idea. Worth a good old, entrepreneurial try.
Well, it sounds like you pay them for 15 minute increments of service. You pay whatever you want. The company doing this guarantees them $50 for 6 hours of work. I think they just stay stationary for that time.
It is a bit weird; but seems like the Homeless like the idea. I think it eliminates the bureaucratic paperwork & formality involved in most jobs that scare off the Homeless. Anyway, interesting idea. Worth a good old, entrepreneurial try.
I've seen the model work with street newspapers. It works pretty well for many.
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