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From the "We're not sure how we feel about this" department: People attending the SXSW conference in Austin, Texas have a new way to get online -- homeless people. The Bartle Bogle Hegarty marketing firm has launched a non-profit drive called "Homeless Hotspots." Basically, they supply homeless Austin residents with a 4G MiFi hotspot; the homeless people wear a shirt listing their name and access info for the hotspot; and you give the homeless person a donation (which he then keeps) to use the connection.
It's a kind of interesting setup that solves an accessibility problem and puts cash in the pockets of those who need it, but a lot of people are expressing unease about it. A lot of the discontent revolve around the wording on the homeless people's shirts, which read "I'm <insert name here>, a 4G hotspot." Some would rather the shirts say "I'm running a 4G hotspot" or something similar.
Semantics aside, there's no questioning the good that comes from the program: BBH supplied the hotspot devices for free, and the homeless "managers" get to keep the money they raise from people using the service. (BBH suggests a donation of $2/15 minutes, and allows you to donate to specific managers/hotspots via PayPal on the homelesshotspots.org website if you don't have cash on hand.) BBH, of course, gets a case study in new advertising/message campaigns.
As we said, we're not really sure how to feel about this. Offhand, it seems like a decently well-intentioned, innovative idea, but turning the homeless into roaming 4G hotspots just seems like something from a dystopian sci-fi novel. What are your thoughts?
Thanks to Wired.com for pointing this out! Image taken from this YouTube video.
Comments are closed on this article
SuperTeams
April 08, 2012 at 11:35pm
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lunchbox73
March 14, 2012 at 6:38am
It would only be disturbing if they surgically implanted the hotspots in their head or something.
OCFRED
March 14, 2012 at 12:03am
Too easy to kick them around so "can you hear me now" can suffice, can just imagine the "customer service" in the event of throttling and data caps....
Neufeldt2002
March 13, 2012 at 8:57pm
I just think it is a really good idea. I wish there were more ideas like this in the world, it would be a better place.
znod
March 13, 2012 at 6:22pm
Some zealots are trying to make something out of nothing on this issue--citing bads such as exploitation, debasement, etc. But, of course, some make something out of nothing when dealing with anything not fitting into their narrow minds.
I think that the homeless/hotspot idea is a good one. At least this idea is allowing some, with little to no income, to have at least some income some of the time. It's too bad that this employment opportunity is, at this time, only temporary. Maybe the idea will result in permanent employment, either full- or pat-time, for some across the country in the near future.
incidentally, I am having a lot of trouble dealing with the adds that now almost constantly pop up on the Max PC site--thus, interfering with the ability to post comments, etc.
Ghok
March 13, 2012 at 6:06pm
Many cities have newspapers that are written by homeless (or at least about homeless issues) which then are sold by homeless people. This is a way for them to earn some money and be part of a community. As I understand it, this is sort of trying to do the same thing but in the digital age. Not a bad idea.
Ilander
March 13, 2012 at 5:18am
For all the naysayers who claim you're funding a alcohol or drug problem:
Research consistently shows that the homeless need a home first, and then to get clean. The age-old technique of "get clean, then we'll help you find a home" doesn't work. Home first does; it gives them a reason to get clean, because they have some momentum in the right direction.
And that's not to even mention being able to take any prescriptions they have for mental disorders thanks to the money they're making.
znod
March 13, 2012 at 6:29pm
And, of course, while I don't have percentages, it is clear that a substantial number of homeless do not have alcohol or drug problems. Anyone raising this issue needs a good spanking. After all the same thing might be said about all forms of employment in the U.S. That is, a dumbo might say that employment is a bad idea, in general, because it feeds the drug or alcohol problems of some.
Biceps
March 12, 2012 at 10:35pm
A creative idea to help people in need, I approve. I understand why people might get upset over the wording on the shirts - I would also be willing to bet none of the angry people have ever been homeless.
It is really easy to get all pissed off for the benefit of political correctness - but just because something is politically correct doesn't mean it is important or right. Helping people help themselves is a good means to a good end. Getting upset because you feel a t-shirt is insensitive to someone who is wearing the t-shirt is just busy-body bullshit.
AbeFromanTSKOC
March 12, 2012 at 10:20pm
Will they get fired if they become wealthy enough to buy a home?
Demonspank
March 12, 2012 at 5:32pm
Maybe not cash, but I'd send them a check, I just need their home addre...
Oh, wait.
Aside from me being a jerk: I guess I'm ok with it if these folks are mentally sound and able to make a rational decision that they are ok with it as well. Putting myself in their place, I would probably go ahead and do it. I hope it helps someone out.
Espresso77
March 12, 2012 at 3:19pm
First thought: White is a poor color choice for persons with limited laundry budgets.
Hey.That_Dude
March 12, 2012 at 3:17pm
Sounds like Austin. And for all you haters:
1) They background check these guys and these are people who actively seek help from the community.
2)I bet you these guys are under contracts and trained prior to this, so no "packet sniffers" get attached.
3) They're gonna be wearing some logo so people know. Don't want your packets sniffed, use the hobo with the logo... the logohobo if you will.
Hey.That_Dude
March 12, 2012 at 3:19pm
YOU NEED TO GET THOSE DAMN ADS UNDER CONTROL! I HATE DOUBLE POSTING!
FRIGGIN' BROKEN CODE, EVER SINCE YOU BROUGHT IN THOSE REDIRECTS.
znod
March 13, 2012 at 6:35pm
Yes, the adds are screwing posting, etc., up big time. I mentioned it above too. This is one of those things that I think--gee, do you think they tested site effects of the incessant adds before implementing them?
Biceps
March 12, 2012 at 10:45pm
When one double posts
He writes a haiku for you
Relaxing springtime
Biceps
March 13, 2012 at 9:43pm
Oh, and for the record... when I wrote a haiku to try to relax you because you got upset about the ads? Yeah, I had to write it again because the posting was interrupted by an ad. :(
I have to agree that, while I understand ads need to exist in order to pay for the site, that the way they are implemented unquestionably affects the user experience and needs to be done the right way. I'm not sure this is the right way.
Hey.That_Dude
March 14, 2012 at 9:35pm
Never said don't have them... just said to get them under control. if i go through an ad to an article... broken link. NOT WANT!
When i post... DOUBLE POST!
Ads= fine, whatever
Ads screwing up my viewing experience = not fine, not even a little bit.
CPPCrispy
March 12, 2012 at 2:16pm
I can see criminals using this tactic to get information (log in credentials, credit card numbers, ext.) from people using the hotspots. A criminal goes to the homeless, gives them cloths, 4G hotspot with attached packet sniffer and recording device, and tells the homeless that they get to keep the clothes and donations if they hand over the recorder at the end of each day. What homeless guy would not accept this. It would generate some form of income for doing what they would normally do anyways.
znod
March 13, 2012 at 6:38pm
Criminals are everywhere. You might as well point you finger in pretty much every direction when it comes to criminals.
biggiebob12345
March 12, 2012 at 1:53pm
I'd rather not fuel drug and alcohol abuse that's rampant in the homeless community just so I can get internet access. And homeless people are homeless for a reason. Hence why I don't want to get near one.
Just put up signs where you can pay at a machine and donate the proceeds to a homeless related cause. WAY better idea.
skirge01
March 13, 2012 at 6:59am
And you're an ignoramus for a reason. Still living with mommy and daddy, are we? You should step into the sunlight a little more often. There's this crazy world out here where people were laid off due to a poor economy, misleading banks, and corrupt politicians. If you turned off WoW or CoD every once in a while and browsed some (non-tech) news sites, you may have also heard of little things like Hurricane Katrina, which cost people their jobs, their homes, and some even lost their families.
I know, they really should have seen that coming and planned for it, right?
Ilander
March 12, 2012 at 1:44pm
This also solves the biggest problem of the homeless: they're invisible to most people. Now, you're changing the dynamic, people are seeking them out. Sounds like a brilliant plan, honestly.
Shalbatana
March 12, 2012 at 11:39am
You are entirely right, I'm just not sure what to think about this.
Brad Nimbus
March 12, 2012 at 11:36am
I've been around many homeless people and I can tell you the average homeless would gladly wear that shirt for what? Potentially $8 an hour or more? Listen I want to become a wireless hotspot. :~)
a lot of people are expressing unease about it. A lot of the discontent revolve around the wording on the homeless people's shirts, which read "I'm , a 4G hotspot." Some would rather the shirts say "I'm running a 4G hotspot" or something similar. Why are people so sensitive over words?
haboh
March 12, 2012 at 11:24am
Or you know; maybe we could (also) try to not have some many homeless people in the first place..?
iceman08
March 12, 2012 at 1:16pm
you're right! We should go out, find them, offer them jobs, and give them a chance to work!
...wait a second...
skirge01
March 13, 2012 at 6:52am
Funniest thing I've read all day (granted, the day is young, but still)... Thanks for the laugh!
somethingelse
March 12, 2012 at 10:27am
The homeless people can then take the hotspot router and sell it to the highest bidder. They can make hundreds! :D
