Hobonet
Dr Mumbo always enjoys the innovative ideas that emerge from SxSW every year, and 2012’s event is off to a strong start with BBH’s brainchild “Homeless hotspots“. It refers not to the itinerant population of SxSW attendees, but rather homeless people carrying wireless networks for the convenience of attendees.
“SxSW Interactive attendees can pay what they like to access 4G networks carried by our homeless collaborators. This service is intended to deliver on the demand for better transit connectivity during the conference”.
Dr Mumbo is somewhat reminded of Nathan Barley’s favourite website Online Russian Tramp Racing, featuring compelling call to action ” Pick your hobo.”
(HT @commuter_dirge)
This is pretty gross.
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I was ambivalent at first, but I think this is a brave project.
I’ve spoken with 3 of the guys participating in the trial here in Austin. All of them felt it was a positive and collaborative project, and not at all exploitative. They liken it to window washing or selling street press like the Big Issue, but “for the South By people who don’t have no car here in Austin”.
Clarence was particularly proud he had a t-shirt with his name on it, not a brand. It reads, “Hi, I’m Clarence, come talk to me about Homeless Hotspot”. So i did. How often do we normally approach and strike up a conversation with people who are homeless?
I think the crew at BBH handled the project tactfully: awareness is raised, the volunteers got some cash, and everyone got some conversation.
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