User Comments

1. 

   9/17/09

   ismsandologies

   I came across this idea a number of years ago, actually, before the recession, and it was disturbing to me then, too. What's interesting is that I can't quite place what exactly makes it so disturbing to me. Dehumanization, probably. Even the woman in the clip referred to them as "walking billboards"-- objectifying.

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2. 

   9/17/09

   exit2013

   Is that the same as this?...
   www.pimpthisbum.com/
   
   Looks like exploitation to me!

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   1. 

      9/17/09

      ismsandologies

      You had me at "pimpthisbum.com."
3. 

   9/17/09

   whoisthebaldguy

   they get paid. they get a free shirt. they are doing something productive. it's a start.

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4. 

   9/17/09

   crpitt

   Urghhhhhhhh how disgusting

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5. 

   9/17/09

   whoisthebaldguy

   I don't see one downside to this.

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   1. 

      9/17/09

      crpitt

      Really?
6. 

   9/17/09

   crpitt

   Oh this is meant to be funny, I missed that.

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7. 

   9/17/09

   crpitt

   Also as it is about your site it should be under shameless blog promotion.

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8. 

   9/17/09

   MadameX

   Claire, can you elaborate? I went to the video with misgivings, but with the exception of the "if I ask them to do the robot..." piece, it actually didn't look like a bad idea. I'm from Chicago, where the streets are littered with the homeless, and while some make that choice many others are truly disheartened by not being able to do anything productive. The opportunity to earn money without having to first find a phone number and address to put on job applications, appropriate clothing for interviews, etc., can make a significant difference.
   
   People get paid to walk around wearing sandwich boards or have their cars painted, and people at conferences rent out their t-shirt space...how is this so different?

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   1. 

      9/17/09

      crpitt

      I looked at the tags for the video and saw 'spoof', 'viral', 'humor and 'bum' that was enough to put me off.
      
      If it was anything like what you suggested, I would think it was a good idea.
9. 

   9/17/09

   whoisthebaldguy

   It is a serious issue - definitely not supposed to be funny. I look at it as something interesting to talk about. Nowhere in the video does it say "please go to my site".

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