What is Digg?538 Comments
- Bhima, on 02/18/2008, -13/+171I think a lot of the comments missed the largest point of this exercise. Being poor isn't a question of how much money you have, or your inability to mooch on the system, or even the unavailability of credit or your parents basement. Being poor is all about being trapped by your own mind and chronic poor (in both senses) decision making.
- sfacets, on 02/18/2008, -69/+216Unlike most homeless people, this guy has no addictions (gambling, alcohol, drugs...) Also why the hell should this brat get welfare? Your tax money at work.
- smacksaw, on 02/18/2008, -30/+129Spoken like someone who has never had a serious addiction problem. I'll tell you where I give a lot of people a free pass - heroin. There's a lot of heroin addicts out there that didn't start off by saying "oh, hey - I think I want to shoot some smack in my arm today and see what happens!"
I have chronic pain. And I stay THE HELL away from painkillers, especially opiates. There's a lot of people out there with chronic pain who get prescribed opiates by their doctor - a person they trust. And it's very addicting for these people. When the doctor gets nervous and cuts off the supply, the next place to look for opium is a needle.
It's one thing to say "oh, it's all personal choice, blah blah" and another to give up your theory and actually talk to people who are addicts. There are people who started using as kids, before they even knew better. Their brains are not even physiologically developed enough to think properly. Bam - lifelong problem.
The thing that irritates me about people like you is that responsibility is not a two-way street. You're the first person to say that doing drugs or whatever is a bad personal choice, but people like you are always the LAST to get out there and do anything about addiction and addicts. The people who think it's some sort of theoretical choice just look down their nose and never do anything to fix the problem so others can't easily "make that choice to develop", yet the people you see in the gutter with their sleeves rolled up are former addicts or people who give a *****.
It's interesting because to assuage your guilt for not doing anything you can just claim it's a personal choice, yet the people who actually are tackling this problem and battling it are the ones who you would classify as excuse-makers for these people.
It's our world. It's our society. These addicts are here, stealing, harming people, crashing cars, killing over drugs - you name it. Last time *I* checked, these things flourish under attitudes like yours. - 711Security, on 02/18/2008, -19/+110Too bad that real homeless people out there would never hear about this story.
- 3tcp, on 02/18/2008, -50/+131Didn't this guy have student loans to payoff? Didn't he have any debt or obligations? Seems to me this is just some rich-ass kid whose parents put him through college who figured he could spend a year in the gutter taking up space in homeless shelters and mooching off the system. Afterwards he could write a book about it and strike it rich.
Fact of the matter is that it would be easy to do this but most people have too many responsibilities to even be able to try. If you didn't graduate college with any responsibilities then I guess you could try a stunt like this to learn about real life. - kevincannon, on 02/18/2008, -9/+69Unfortunately, real homeless people are very rarely homeless because of lack of motivation. This guy was well educated, well rounded and had a great education.
Most homeless people have a variety of problems included mental disorders, drug and alcohol addiction and a range of emotional issues that make it hard to escape their situation. Your average person is quite lucky in life and cannot comprehend how some people end up homeless or the problems they face. I've talked to a few people who worked on soup runs and they've all told me the same thing, how many of your ideas will be very quickly shattered. - Dysarthria, on 02/18/2008, -48/+107Last time I checked, gambling, alcohol and drugs were addictions anyone could chose never to develop.
- neio, on 02/18/2008, -29/+78That goes to show you, if you're willing to work hard and make sacrifices you CAN pull yourself out of the gutter.
To all the people saying he mooched off the system, he may have in the beginning but he started working and at the end of the day he had a apartment, truck and $5000 in the bank + when he started working he paid taxes and therefore it cancel's out your critique of him.
How many people have that kind of money in the bank? - AGHatecraft, on 02/18/2008, -11/+54Uhhh... That's a cool story and all, but a few things to consider. The guy was, in fact, a white 25yr old college grad in great physical shape. Last time I looked, most homeless people seem to be a minority, older, and anything but educated.
If this kid didn't make it then I would think this is a story, but everything that happened should be expected.
I'd like to see a minority woman, age 29-35 with a highschool education try and pull the same stunt. While I think it's likely that she'd do okay, I doubt she'd find a job that pays well enough to afford a car and a $5000 surplus. I could be wrong though. - Dysarthria, on 02/18/2008, -3/+42Really? In 10 months the guy had an apartment, a truck, $2500, and a story he could sell for possibly tens of thousands of dollars. If that dude publishes a book about his experience, he might be able to make a mint.
- raynar, on 02/18/2008, -13/+51The only thing about these types of "experiments" is that he'll never know what its truly like. He knows he can go back to his parents, use his degree, whatever.
They need to follow someone who is truly homeless with no hope of using previous contacts. - samard2002, on 02/18/2008, -8/+45The attitude of all the haters in here bothers me on a fundamental level. On the surface it seems like you are defending the poor, but in reality you're arguing that people can't change their station in life and should not be expected to try -- for all the reasons you seem eager to list.
- manicallday, on 02/18/2008, -0/+36Agreed. As I mention before, my bout with mental illness was that was the reason for my stint of homelessness. I just remember all of the veterans at the shelter and how they had such a hard time coping with life. But these guys saw something in me and helped me when even my own family had abandoned me. I really don't think that I would be sitting here, as an attorney and married for 13 years, if it wasn't for those that some people called unmotivated.
- jocamero, on 02/18/2008, -8/+42Wow. An intelligent, well thought out post on Digg.
Are you new here? - Stettenbauer, on 02/18/2008, -40/+73Dugg.Great story....
- ricksite, on 02/18/2008, -6/+36It is pretty naive to thing that addiction, and mental illness in general, is a choice. It wouldn't make sense that you can develop problems with your heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, etc... but not your brain? Like other organs, some brain problems are caused by external factors but other you are born with.
- whorunbartertwn, on 02/18/2008, -2/+31This experiment is pretty tilted in that he's a young, healthy, sane, intelligent, white male with no dependents.
That said I agree that the overwhelming majority of people who are willing to work hard and make wise decisions can do well in the United States. - foxtwofoxtwo, on 02/18/2008, -8/+37Things like this should be a rite of passage for every rising young man or woman.
Sure would lead to a better work ethic, and probably a tougher society. - Kyan, on 02/18/2008, -0/+26Dude, write your story. That will definitely be worth digging.
- Rousterfar, on 02/18/2008, -4/+29What are you talking about? He went from homeless and jobless with $25 in his pocket and manages to get a job, apartment, car, and save $5,000 in less then a year. That's outstanding!
He quite the experiment because of a death in the family and he had already proven it to be a sauces. He was originally supposed to save less then the 5k he had when he stopped.
With 5k in savings do you really think he needed to use the credit card to go home? What kind of prices are you used to playing for plane tickets anyways? - thegreatgazoo, on 02/18/2008, -2/+27You don't have to be rich not to have student loans. I went to JuCo for 2 years, and then transferred to a state college. I came out of it with 2 BS degrees and still about $500 in the bank between working, scholarships, and a small amount of money from home.
Most in state colleges are affordable if you watch your costs. - npg6913, on 02/18/2008, -13/+38a noble use for our tax money, it goes to show that any homeless person can find work and make a living, just some choose not to.
- bobbybobington, on 02/18/2008, -6/+28I'm sure he learned a lot of things that they don't teach at college. I think it is an excellent Investment.
- kete00, on 02/18/2008, -3/+24If this story inspires just one homeless person to change their life, then it is money well spent.
- dezmo, on 02/18/2008, -0/+21inaccurate, homeless people can't afford vowels
- crashbang, on 02/18/2008, -6/+26Well said.
What I find to be hard to swallow in this article is the notion that because he did it, anyone can, regardless of their problems which could have involved abuse, neglect, mental illness, and addictions.
It's that kind of condescension that I find really off turning.
Oh and the caddy rims thing, too. That's just ignorant. - notque, on 02/18/2008, -3/+23Well, and part of it is the determination of him knowing it's an experiment.
It's significantly more difficult to have hope that you can turn things around when your entire life exists in this bubble of poverty. - tuz100, on 02/18/2008, -4/+23Yeah this completely misses the point. The article says that he did not use his education, but that could not be possible. The problem with people on the streets is that many lack even the most basic skills to enable them to get work - and hold on to it. I assume that he could address people properly, laugh when they make a joke, be polite, socialise etc. These are not things that just 'being prepared to work hard' can resolve, these are things that are ingrained in you throughout your upbringing and education. As a personal experiment it may have been interesting for him, but any kind of 'I did it so everyone else can too' argument is offensive to say the least.
- eljefe333, on 02/18/2008, -3/+22you can't really "pretend" to have the feelings of despair and know what it is like having NOWHERE to turn with a credit card in your back pocket.
- yojiffyskippy, on 02/18/2008, -2/+21Homeless Guy #1: Did you hear about that dude that rocked the homeless scene?
Homeless Guy #2: Nah.
Homeless Guy #1: I read it on the internets while kickin it at Starbucks.
Homeless Guy #2: Nice, wanna go dumpster diving? - fsamuels, on 02/18/2008, -3/+22Q: But surely your background – you're privileged; you have an education and a family – made it much easier for you to achieve.
A: I didn't use my college education, credit history, or contacts [while in South Carolina]. But in real life, I had these lessons that I had learned. I don't think that played to my advantage. How much of a college education do you need to budget your money to a point that you're not spending frivolously, but you're instead putting your money in the bank?
He really underestimates how much his education did help him in this experiment. Many people, college graduates included, don't know how to manage a budget. Many also don't put their money in the bank even if they do have enough to save. His education was one of the biggest things that make him different from many homeless who can't get themselves out of the situation they are in. He of course can't admit this fundamental flaw in his experiment if he wants to show the conclusion that anyone can overcome being homeless. - jrizzo, on 02/18/2008, -2/+20You are all missing the point. The idea of this experiment was that "The Man" or the system are not keeping people poor - thats what I think anyways. If anything, this should bring more attention to addiction and mental disorders because they are the difference between this success and others' failures.
- 9mmCensor, on 02/18/2008, -5/+23Its easy to be poor for a short time.
- jkahrs595, on 02/18/2008, -1/+18Maybe I should apply some of these thoughts into my own life.
I'm in college and don't have much more money than $25 right now... - holzp, on 02/18/2008, -2/+19Dear Sir,
Having consulted with my colleagues and based on the information gathered from the Nigerian Chambers Of Commerce And Industry, I have the privilege to request your assistance to transfer the sum of $47,500,000.00 (forty seven million, five hundred thousand United States dollars) into your accounts. The above sum resulted from an over-invoiced contract, executed, commissioned and paid for about five years (5) ago by a foreign contractor. This action was however intentional and since then the fund has been in a suspense account at The Central Bank Of Nigeria Apex Bank... - hokie47, on 02/18/2008, -2/+19I wonder if he learned to poop in an alley.
- GalacticCmdr, on 02/18/2008, -13/+29What a bunch of *****. He may not have traded in on his upbringing or education, but you do not have to mention those to understand that you will have a greater command of the language and simply come off better just based upon your upbringing.
What this generally means is that it is easy for a higher class of people to climb out of a bad situation. However, you cannot apply that to people that never had that strong basis for the first 25 years of your life. There are extraordinary people that manage to do this - and many that have done it throughout history, but his attempt is nothing more than an attention whore. - gr3yn3t, on 02/18/2008, -0/+16Sigh.
Do any diggers get it?
From homeless to not-homeless is a huge achievement. An achievement almost any homeless person would be thrilled for. That's the point. - bovox, on 02/18/2008, -3/+19The only thing this proves is that it is possible for a 25-year-old, physically-fit, college-educated, white male with no history of substance abuse problems or mental illness to get out of poverty. Simply not mentioning a quarter century of development in a loving, caring nurturing middle-class family where you received a quality education from kindergarten to college does not negate its effects.
- wordsofwisedumb, on 02/18/2008, -0/+16It is not true class mobility. He had the education of someone from a higher class. Even if he never used the technical part of his education or told people about it he still had the skills he gained while getting it. Just interacting with other people is easier with the increased experience he gained, let alone his reading comprehension skills, lack of intimidation by people more well educated, an understanding of the social and economic systems that are around him. Education is a class divider because of the skills you gain, not society's recognition of the skills you gain.
- AGHatecraft, on 02/18/2008, -0/+16This stat was taken from alphaproject.org.
In its 1998 survey of 30 cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayor found that the homeless population was 49% African-American, 32% Caucasian, 12% Hispanic, 4% Native American, and 3% Asian (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 1998). Like the total U.S. population, the ethnic makeup of homeless populations varies according to geographic location. For example, people experiencing homelessness in rural areas are much more likely to be white; homelessness among Native Americans and migrant workers is also largely a rural phenomenon (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1996). "
I'm anything but racist, and I don't know how you extrapolate your assertions from my post. - NullzipZero, on 02/18/2008, -19/+34I am sure this stunt was easy for him pull off because at the end of the day he could have easily just went back to his parents home.
he'll sell a lot of books. - Bhima, on 02/18/2008, -7/+22Ship Breaking in India & Bangladesh:
http://www.greenpeaceweb.org/shipbreak/
http://googlesightseeing.com/2006/08/21/ship-break ...
Coal Mining in China:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-11/1 ...
http://www.chinaminingcoal.com/2007/
Diamond Mining in Africa
http://www.nytimes.com/library/world/africa/040600 ...
Gold Mining in Peru
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yanacocha - ohbugger, on 02/18/2008, -5/+20Yes people CAN pull themselves out of the gutter, however, it is clearly much more easily done when you are a well educated, presentable, and employable. This is what prevents most of us from ever HAVING to get in this predicament in the first place
- bigsteve, on 02/18/2008, -3/+18Working for a homeless outreach / community revitalization organization in just about the worst part of Philadelphia, I'm seeing from my position (which is a bit disconnected from the population affected, I'm the network admin) that it isn't just the lack of money that's the issue (though that is part of the cycle, and not an easy point in it to cause a break) but it's financial education.
Homelessness carries a whole host of other related issues, addiction, mental illness, etc, but I'm speaking about the part of his experiment after he left the shelters. There's a great deal of mistrust issues among the middle-aged homeless population with trusting shelters, especially in this area, since shelters years ago were apparently almost worse than the streets. Homeless couples and children needed to get split up due to gender-segregated sheltering. That sort of thing... there was a reluctance to come in.
This kid knew what saving money was. He apparently got himself through college debt-free. That takes at least a little money-related know-how. I'm sure he wouldn't have done this little "experiment" if it meant defaulting on some loans and ruining his nice credit. - usafdave, on 02/18/2008, -6/+2180% of this thread sounds like 1:00 am at a truck stop near a college town. "little rich boy" ... "ooooh, mommy and daddy are your cushion" ... "college boy cheated because, um.. er... little damn rich-boy!" This kid has accomplished something noteworthy. Yes, all of the social stigmas that further contribute to poverty other than poverty itself are absent in his self-induced case, but at least he ***** tried to show people something.
... oh, and I totally agree with "crashbang's" comment above. Putting nice rims on a mediocre-to-***** car when you're a second-generation welfare recipient IS, in fact, ignorant.
I can already hear the haters... yes, I sent my own ass to college, went to plain public schools before that. Public school in Louisiana is a real ***** gem, too. Great preparation for life on your own. -
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