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How American Homeless Stay Wired

Posted by timothy on from the works-best-in-san-francisco dept.

theodp writes "San Franciscan Charles Pitts has accounts on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. He runs a Yahoo forum, reads news online and keeps in touch with friends via email. Nothing unusual, right? Except Pitts has been homeless for two years and manages this digital lifestyle from his residence under a highway bridge. Thanks to cheap computers, free Internet access and sheer determination, the WSJ reports that being homeless isn't stopping some from staying wired. 'You don't need a TV. You don't need a radio. You don't even need a newspaper,' says Pitts. 'But you need the Internet.'"

17 of 287 comments (clear)

  1. And yet by mikesd81 · · Score: 3, Funny

    they can't seem to find a job.

    --
    That which does not kill me only postpones the inevitable.
    1. Re:And yet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Alas there is +1 Funny

    2. Re:And yet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      For some reason he dose not want to work.

      Internet connection, doesn't want to work, according to TFA some of them can't read or write : how about a job as a Slashdot editor?

    3. Re:And yet by Extremus · · Score: 4, Funny

      This remembers me of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, when Arthur decided to go mad.

      "I will go mad!" he announced.

      "Good idea," said Ford Prefect, clambering down from the rock on which he had been sitting.

      Arthur's brain somersaulted. His jaw did press-ups.

      "I went mad for a while," said Ford, "did me no end of good."

    4. Re:And yet by MaskedSlacker · · Score: 2, Funny

      Took me a while to figure out your were impersonating schizophrenia.

    5. Re:And yet by sodul · · Score: 5, Funny

      I've seen bums showering who didn't even have a towel

      But that's the most important thing to have !!! I means there is a whole series of books about how important it is to have a towel.

    6. Re:And yet by DamienNightbane · · Score: 4, Funny

      This is why I find the term "homeless" to be overly negative. I prefer to use the term "urban camper."

  2. Are the computers they use by Norsefire · · Score: 3, Funny

    in a brown paper-bag?

  3. 2 years?? by goldaryn · · Score: 5, Funny

    Except Pitts has been homeless for two years and manages this digital lifestyle from his residence under a highway bridge.

    That's some sick battery life right there!

  4. Horrible Reception by qpawn · · Score: 5, Funny

    I get like zero bars in my dumpster.

  5. he's a troll! by panthroman · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...from his residence under a highway bridge.

    Sometimes you just gotta hand it to a troll for sheer dedication. (+1, troll?)

  6. Luxury by Hope+Thelps · · Score: 4, Funny

    That's nothing, I used to stay connected, downloading movies and Linux distros, following all the news, exchanging emails with a journalist friend, using a Commodore 64 that had been buried for years - in a war ravaged country with no communications infrastructure worth speaking of. Kids these days have it easy.

    Juno

    --
    To summarise the summary of the summary: people are a problem. ~ h2g2
    1. Re:Luxury by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Junis, dude.

  7. Well Stevie, you ain't gonna believe this. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I'm gonna make a TV star out of you. Just like Archie Bunker. You gonna be a household word.

    It's called, "Homeless Got Talent"

    Simon: So Steven, what are you going to do for us?

    Stevie: I'm gonna stink

    Simon: You're already our winner. You can go home proud...Ooops I made a Faux Pas...

  8. Re:Guess I shouldn't... by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 2, Funny

    This is a typical article on WSJ where the purpose is get people mad at the disadvantage. You're a Conservative, filthy rich, and working hard all your life when this homeless bozo is enjoying a fine life. I'm surprised they don't bring back Ronald Reagan's Welfare Queen to beat up in public square.

  9. Re:That's The Idea by gringofrijolero · · Score: 3, Funny

    The old saying of "avoid cliches like the plague." applies perfectly to the parent post... :-)

    --
    Todos mis movimientos están friamente calculados
  10. He prefers to live under a bridge??? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Do you really think that someone would PREFER to live under a bridge,

    A-ha! I spy a TROLLL!!!!!!

    I cite various fairy tales as that is where trolls like to live. Under bridges.