Homeless people used as wireless hotspots.

[kvg]

I read this and thought it was funny and intresting. Homeless people being wireless hotspots for a donation.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourcommunity/2012/03/is-using-homeless-people-as-hotspots-helpful-or-exploitative.html

[Modelexis]

Great idea IMO, all parties involved are participating without coercion. Win win for everyone involved.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[CUG]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak
It is just a new twist on an old scheme... using homeless people to paw at consumers soft spots and reap the benefits of advertising. Homeless advocacy groups will be all over this denouncing it for what it really is, exploitation. If that's the case, then employee advocacy groups will probably do the same. You're being exploited so you can earn money and a living too.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[CUG]

Oh.

[Modelexis]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak
It would be different if they were actually paying them to do this, but instead they are sending them out to collect charity. I don't know of any kind of employment that pays zero dollars for your time.

Why can't it be considered volunteer work?
Should it be illegal for someone to work for tips only if they so choose?
Who is the criminal here?

If I volunteer to sell peanuts at a sporting event to fund raise for a sporting team should this be considered exploitation?

[1barA4]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak

I don't know of any kind of employment that pays zero dollars for your time.

Purely volunteer work?
I mean, at least they get a clean shirt out of it :poosie:

[Sugarphreak]

..

[Maybelater]

I can understand why people would find this offensive, because of the whole donation aspect. It shows a disconnection from those peoples plight and trivializes it.

But what would be the difference if a person with a home was being paid to do the same?

[Modelexis]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak
Why don't we start tatooing name brands on them while we are at it?

I don't think that's the same thing as wearing a tshirt for a few hours, but I can show you people that are not homeless and get brand name tattoos of their own free will.

http://www.google.ca/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1280&bih=667&q=nike+tattoo&gbv=2&oq=nike+tattoo&aq=f&aqi=g4g-m3g-S2g-mS1&aql=&gs_sm=3&gs_upl=608l2120l0l2344l11l11l0l0l0l0l181l950l7.4l11l0&gs_l=img.3..0l4j0i5l3j0i24l2j0i5i24.608l2120l0l2344l11l11l0l0l0l0l181l950l7j4l11l0

Are you suggesting that people with less income should not be entitled to the same free will as people with full time jobs?

[Tik-Tok]

How long before the first "Hobonet steals Macbook" police report?

[Swank]

I say we just strap rickshaws to them.

[jsn]

I don't understand why they don't just hire them and pay them to do it. At least they'll have some sort of income. Even if they pay them minimum wage, it's better than nothing.

[Sugarphreak]

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[Xtrema]

So, what's stopping homeless guy selling the equipment for a quick buck for someone to get a free 4g ap?

[beyond_ban]

It's almost like employing the unemployable..... but with a twist. I like it.