Lovelyish

If they’re agreeing to do it and getting paid, what’s the problem?

wow thats’ really creative

and cheaper for them, ish. instead of hiring hourly people (I’m assuming the homeless people aren’t getting paid that, yes?), they get to give the homeless a chance for more moolah

It’s better than them begging for money on the streets. It’s like they have a job, and if people have problems with that they’re just kind of..whatever.

As long as they pay the homeless people the same wages they would if a tech-savvy center geek was being used then I’m okay with it.

They’re getting paid! It’s like a temorary job!

I’m kinda on the fence with this. Sure they’re getting paid but afterwords are they going to give them any chance of having something permanent if they do well? Probably not. So in a sense they are using them for their situation, they just pay them for it. And it keeps going around to companies wanting to only pay shit wages to anyone that will take it. When you think about it long-term that isn’t good for anyone.

They’re getting paid and it’s not like they’re being forced into it, so what’s the problem here?

I think people tend to miss the point that it’s not sure if they get paid. Users are ENCOURAGED to give them 2 $…that’s just a slightly different form of begging.
I think homeless people should expirience that you actually get money for work, and expirience a certain feeling of security that comes with it. I believe that would be encouraging.
And generally…no one should be used because of their vurnable situation. Yeah they agree to it, but who nows what I#d agree to if I didn’t have a roof over my head and regular acces to shower and bathroom.

In case they get paid liek everyone else it is awesome.

It seems degrading to me.  I mean, that man is wearing a shirt that says “I’m Mark, a 4G hotspot.”  Like, there is nothing more you need to know about me than the fact that I’m a 4G hotspot and I’m homeless.  Oh, and maybe you should give me some money.  People are “encouraged” to give them money?  Oh, how nice.  Maybe if it was ensured that they were getting paid, or for the organisation to flipping pay them themselves.  It’s almost a step in the right direction for helping people, but it kind of misses the mark. 

@lilblucherrygrl@xanga - @HaleyHailstorm - @under_the_carpet@xanga - it might seem degrading, but it is voluntary. It’s not as though they’re being forced to do it, and I’m sure they’re earning more money doing this than they would be ordinarily. Obviously it’s not ideal but when you’re homeless, why wouldn’t you take up a harmless “job” – it’s not like they have to do anything!

Hahahahahahahah this is awesome and sooo necessary! It’s a win-win situation. Hobos get temporary jobs and some extra cash, people get more 4g hotspots!
Berkeley needs this, there’re like 5 hobos per every other block

Ehhh!  That’s where Craig Benzine and my friend Damien (MC Frontalot) are!  How exciting! 

On another note, I think it’s a great idea.  Especially if they ARE getting paid.  Why not?  It’s a voluntary force, just like the military. =P

I think it’s awesome. People get the internet fix they crave & the homeless get to eat a hot meal tonight. What’s wrong with that?

Hell, I’d do it if I was there. Even if I wasn’t getting paid anything but donations. I’ve been volunteering at a film festival all week and all I get out of it is muffins and water. MUFFINS AND WATER. There are like 50 of us doing this. Meanwhile, the guys at SXSW have figured out a way for the volunteers to get paid for just standing there? Sounds like a fucking good deal.

And it’s not like they have to stand there naked, stroking and sucking a circle of dicks. It’s not like they have to dance on a street corner dressed like the Little Caesar’s guy with a big sign about $5 pizzas. It’s not like they’re the voice at the McDonald’s drive-thru that speaks after the customer is greeted by a recording because you can’t be trusted to say the words right. They get to stand there and make money instead of sit to the side with a bowl and not get noticed. Sounds like a fucking good deal. Shut the fuck up.

Who are you to say that it’s degrading and deny them an opportunity to get paid? 

I would do it…

So what? It’s not like they’re being spat at or told to jump around like animals for entertainment! It gives them a place in the world, and I doubt they feel mistreated; however, it would be a cruel intention if they weren’t paid for it! Heck, they could meet loads of people, strike up conversations, be less alone.

I’m not sure why this is getting crap. If they weren’t hiring homeless, they’d just be hiring other people to do it. I think it is good because most people (myself included) don’t interact with homeless individuals because we are too busy ignoring their plea for some change. I’m always hurrying past homeless people and trying to avoid contact because I don’t plan to give them any money. If they are providing some kind of service, such as hotspot internet access, then it’s like “Oh, okay. Hi Mark, I need some internet, here is a couple of bucks” and maybe just maybe you will end up talking to this person, and suddenly they are humanized to you.

@lilblucherrygrl@xanga - 

Would you still feel on the fence if it was someone with an MBA who has been unemployed for 2 years because of the economy and despite all efforts haven’t been able to land anything more then these type of “temp” gigs?

Just curious.. I am not trying to poke at you, just wanting to follow your thought process.

Would it be any different is it was someone who wasn’t homeless?

They are giving them a job, I’m sure they are getting paid plus hopefully getting extra tips.

Nothing wrong with this. I assume the company did there research for background checks etc.

This is voluntary work, they are AGREEING to do this.

@HopeWithinReach@xanga - Actually I have been that person. I just recently got a job after being unemployed for 2 years. But being unemployed is different from being completely homeless which is why ethics are involved and hence why I am on the fence about it. It’s a struggle because at the same time you don’t want to give into the shitty cycle of just finding any job because that gives companies more incentive to manipulate those in financial trouble. “Oh they will just take anything so let’s take advantage of that and give them shit pay”. But then again we all have to pay our bills. I feel like them giving homeless people a temp job such as this is like using their poverty as a joke and something to manipulate off of. It would be different if I knew details like if they’re going to help them in some way afterwords but the article never said that. It’s like giving a starving dog a big bowl of food and then never coming back.

Sounds like a good thing to me.  Seems like a lot of companies aren’t willing to hire homeless people.

It seems degrading to most people who have fairly stable incomes, but it’s a boost in self worth to those who are homeless, who are normally viewed as a waste of space or scum. 

Hell, if you need the money…

if you’re desperate and don’t have ANYTHING….you would do it….stupid ass people talking shit, shut the fuck up you obviously don’t know what it’s like to have NOTHING

hell if i needed the money ( which i do) sign me up!!!!!!!!! 

i dont think its demoralizing, shoot we pay more money for more frivolous things.