Value for Value

I've been working on this entry for over a week in an attempt to really get a handle on what it's about, but I'm in a "live for the moment" mood so I'm just gonna bang it out and get it over with.

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine was telling me about a girl who had asked her for change. "It must have been her first day of homelessness," she said, "because she looked pretty clean... and it took me a while to be like 'dude this girl is homeless!'" I couldn't get over it. First day of homelessness? Can you even define that? Do you really have time to think to yourself, "well, looks like today marks day 1 on the streets!" when you're simultaneously trying to avoid the cold nights, dark shadows, and lugging whatever's left of your stuff from park to park to bus stop to vestibule? I don't get it.

At what point do you have NOTHING left to turn to? At what point is there NO ONE willing to take you in? I was honestly questioning it every day, whenever I saw a homeless dude on the streets of LA (I'll reiterate: EVERY day). And after a week or so of writhing about it, I'm asked to check out this website at work. (if you don't want to click the link - it's basically a series of interviews with homeless people in LA) No way, right? Coincidence? No. I don't do coincidence.

The site offers some fascinating character studies about the homeless demographic in LA. Not to mention my two favorite interviews (I've embedded them below) are shot just off the Santa Monica Pier, my personal stomping grounds. I won't be surprised if I see these guys next time I'm down there - they're like my new-found secret celebrities, I guess. And for what?

These brief interviews make it easier to understand how the process works... which is to say that there is no process. Every story is different. No path is the same. Take Mark and Thomas. Insightful in totally different ways.. and.. homeless in totally different ways. So in one sense I'm enlightened and in another sense I've just opened the book to more questions.

Mark from invisiblepeople.tv on Vimeo.

Thomas from invisiblepeople.tv on Vimeo.

OK before I leave I'm gonna up this to the existential level. Get ready to hate me. Or love me. Or just think I'm a total loser- that's cool, too. I've been reading Atlas Shrugged. If you haven't you should. If you have, I suddenly respect you more for getting through that thing. Here's a passage that struck me, mostly because I read it at the same time of this homeless query. Context: super rich lady is asking a super rich man for money to start her own business, in a failing economy.

"I am simply a beggar, Francisco, and I am begging you for money. I had always thought that one did not beg in business. I thought that one stood on the merit of what one had to offer, and gave value for value. That is not so anymore, though I don't understand how we can act on any other rule and continue to exist."

Capitalism, baby! So my new question is... if the wealthy can stoop to acts of begging in times of need (ie: asking for investments without offering any proof of future returns... ie: asking for hand-outs) then can Beggars rise up to the level of wealthy capitalists, even if they stay within the realm of the lower socio-economic status?

How do we use the "teach a man to fish" method with homeless people so that instead of fighting capitalism, they learn how to use it? I'm not suggesting it's possible to get everyone off the streets, much less into the upper class system... that's about as likely as the rich woman not getting her investment and falling into poverty. Not happening. But is it possible to build an infrastructure that motivates street-dwellers to trade "value for value?" Or do these infrastructures already exist? Like recycling centers? When I was living in Boston there was a guy who went through our recycling every day collecting bottles and cans... he was helping us sort our recyclables and getting 5cents a can or whatever the value was... and everybody wins! Value for value. Did it get him out of homelessness, probably not. Did it feed him? Sure. Maybe. I don't know. But my point is - I think that those kinds of incentives, were they to exist on a larger scale, could pull a lot of people off the streets and into something a little bit more comfortable.

So there you go. There's my blog thesis about homelessness and capitalism and how they might actually be able to help each other out.

Yours truly.

The Funz

Alright, so I'm officially amazed at the amount of talent there is in the world. I mean, on the internet. But, you know, also in the world... not on the internet. But let's focus on the internet. Because that's where it's at.

Great intro.

I came upon the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) website where they showcase short films made by various students... and I was blown away by some of the videos up there. The site is kind of slow and needs some work, but once you actually get to the shorts... it's impressive. And I hate being impressed by kids my age, because I should technically be able to create the same type of product, but every once in a while I man up and respect what should be respected despite my ageism.

This particular piece really blew me away. It wasn't the most masterful plot, nor was it the one that made me laugh the hardest (let's face it the funny ones are always the favorites)... what struck me about this short was ingenuity of design. It took me about half-way before I realized that there was no CGI or digital effect use... it just looks like there is. It's visually stunning and the sound editing is really well executed. -And, I'll be honest; I'm a sucker for dance. Hope you like it.

http://www.scadshorts.com/index.php?/52/

Two things have become evident to me in the last few weeks. (1) Most people get their web-fix from YouTube or Hulu. (2) There is so much unbelievable work out there that can't be found in either place. Thankfully I'm working for a company that's looking to solve that problem. And that feels pretty cool. But more on that at the end of the month. Just, you know, keep this issue on the back-burner. Let it simmer for a while. [insert another cooking metaphor here]

Lastly. Star Trek. Talk about a serious blockbuster. I would totally see it again, it was so much fun. I'll spare you the details. All I have to say is that I was impressed by their decision to use character development as part of the primary plot instead of throwing it into a secondary plot-point. When you see the movie you'll know what I mean - it's amazing how we've all adapted to the traditional blockbuster screenplay format without even knowing it. When you see the movie, something about the timing might throw you, and that's when you'll know that you've come to expect a certain formula from every action movie you see. It's become to ingrained. I'm glad that Star Trek mixed it up a bit. Helps me get lost in the movie and not in my watch. Also, Kirk's pretty hot. So if for nothing else, see it for that. Live long and prosper. (I am immediately embarrassed for writing that)