Homeless people more and more are using the internet.
Image by NESRI via Flickr
When you think of a homeless person the first or the last thing that comes to mind is not them using the Internet but it is the truth. More and more are going to free wireless areas with their laptops or using other computers to search for jobs, to send or receive email and to use as a tool of their own work.
There are many reasons homeless people are homeless. Take the 29 year old guy who lost his job in February and him and his laptop now call a shelter home. He searches for jobs on line and also is a computer programmer who is writing a new program in hopes one day he can sell his work and in the process maybe find a new job to get him off the street.
Image via Wikipedia
Shelter employees are saying that more and more people who enter the shelters are also carrying laptops. With many places offering free Internet it is very possible for them to do what they need to do on line free without the monthly bill of Internet access. Libraries, McDonald’s, and Borders are just a few who offer free wifi. In fact the city in which I live has free wifi for the entire length of main street. I work off of main street and can still pick it up.
Some say in five years a UN convention will announce that network access will become everyones human right. Apparently they say human rights do not only include food, shelter, and the rights for freedom of speech but it also includes the Internet. People in the future will not understand why it was not ones rights before such time.
Image via Wikipedia
Some homeless people have expressed their feelings that you do not need a radio or TV but you do need to have access to the Internet. With the state of the economy at the moment more and more people who are homeless are not the people you may think they are.
They are educated just down on their luck with the state of things and trying desperately to fight for the life as they once knew.
The power of the Internet is incredible making the entire world seem so very small. Anything that can help improve ones life is very important indeed. I know the Internet is a huge part of my daily routine so why would anyone think it would not be the same way for people living on the streets.
Yes they may get $59. a month in welfare checks but not all street dwellers drink their money away, some of them use that small amount on getting a hair cut and searching the Internet for their next venture.
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July 8th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Excellent theme, I love it, really.
July 8th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
The fact that people that have fallen victim to this current economy and are using the internet is not a surprise to me. I like your article- you have shown homeless people not as an alien species but as people. Countless stereotypes have originated over the years regarding homeless people, drinking, and “danger.” Not all of them are always valid.
Nicely done,
-Fresh Writing
July 8th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Being that they would be a major target for theft and a quick source of money for someone without a lot of foresight, I don’t know how prevalent they actually. But outside of the things you already mentioned, there’s one huge benefit it. A paypal account and a bit of ingenuity can equal an income without the need for a permanent address or bank account. I know a number of people who travel the country (mostly political activists) and maintain their living that way.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
This is the modern way to search for jobs. And it’s also the convenient way to search what people want.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:18 am
Excellent and helpful article.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:33 am
Good article.
Inna
July 15th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Interesting article. I doubt the UN will ever announce that internet access is a fundamental human right, but it’s interesting to see how things have developed.
Just a quick grammar tip
.
“Take the 29 year old guy who lost his job in February and him and his laptop now call a shelter home. ”
should be
“Take the 29 year old guy who lost his job in February and he and his laptop now call a shelter home. ”
July 15th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
I enjoyed this article. Many times, homeless people are stereotyped. You did a good job of pointing out that not all homeless people are there by choice.
It would be great if the Internet became available to all, free of charge. It’s an incredible tool. Bookmarked.
July 15th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
That was a very interesting article, especially since may view a homeless person as a begger trying to get a few pennies together for cigarettes or alcohol. With the economy as it stands, more and more people are becoming homeless, forced into shelter, and thank goodness for their laptops to help them locate possible jobs, and keep informed with the world around them.
Great article
July 24th, 2009 at 6:18 am
great work. i loved it
July 24th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Nice article.