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Engineer Converts Van into Laundromat, Offers Free Loads to Homeless

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21–30 of 66 posts

Re: Engineer Converts Van into Laundromat, Offers Free Loads to Homeless

#21
post #5

Santa Monica, CA has a facility called SWASHLOCK.[1] It offers showers, laundry machines, and lockers for homeless people. But the usage level for the laundry machine is low. [1] https://www.opcc.net/?nd=shwashlock

Is anybody doing anything similar in the SF Bay Area?

Re: Engineer Converts Van into Laundromat, Offers Free Loads to Homeless

#23
I think it's great that he's doing this, but I can't help but think how these kind of stories follow this weird American pattern of social problems being the hobby of the wealthy and/or an opportunity for cleverness. Why are we so fond of these narratives?

Re: Engineer Converts Van into Laundromat, Offers Free Loads to Homeless

#24

I think it's great that he's doing this, but I can't help but think how these kind of stories follow this weird American pattern of social problems being the hobby of the wealthy and/or an opportunity for cleverness. Why are we so fond of these narratives?

I think perhaps it is because many people in 'modern' societies are starting to rediscover their humanitarian side after a long time of being blinded by years of consumerism and trying to find enlightenment via a career or 'keeping up with the Joneses'?!?

What a lot of people don't realise is that things like this are actually quite commonplace in so called 'third world' areas like Asia and the sub-continent.

Where they were once viewed as sign of a society less well off and endeavours that won't really lead to a difference, I'd like to think that people are starting to realise that improvement of humanity, rather than the building of bank accounts and stock portfolios, may actually be the purpose of existence.

Addendum: Less well off people tend to do this all the time (see my other post in this thread), but because of their 'low' social status, they tend to be invisible to the casual observer who have their eyes conditioned to look upwards only.

Therefore, if someone considered well off, and a 'good role model' does it, it tends to get more notice.

Re: Engineer Converts Van into Laundromat, Offers Free Loads to Homeless

#25

I think it's great that he's doing this, but I can't help but think how these kind of stories follow this weird American pattern of social problems being the hobby of the wealthy and/or an opportunity for cleverness. Why are we so fond of these narratives?

I think perhaps it is because many people in 'modern' societies are starting to rediscover their humanitarian side after a long time of being blinded by years of consumerism and trying to find enlightenment via a career or 'keeping up with the Joneses'?!? What a lot of people don't realise is that things like this are actually quite commonplace in so called 'third world' areas like Asia and the sub-continent. Where t…

[deleted]

Re: Engineer Converts Van into Laundromat, Offers Free Loads to Homeless

#26

I think it's great that he's doing this, but I can't help but think how these kind of stories follow this weird American pattern of social problems being the hobby of the wealthy and/or an opportunity for cleverness. Why are we so fond of these narratives?

I think perhaps it is because many people in 'modern' societies are starting to rediscover their humanitarian side after a long time of being blinded by years of consumerism and trying to find enlightenment via a career or 'keeping up with the Joneses'?!? What a lot of people don't realise is that things like this are actually quite commonplace in so called 'third world' areas like Asia and the sub-continent. Where t…

When I was reading this, the first thing I thought was that it sounded like something from a developing country. I then wondered how long it was gonna be before we're all doing our laundry like this because of housing costs. But I like your more optimistic take.

Re: Engineer Converts Van into Laundromat, Offers Free Loads to Homeless

#28

Not to diminish what the guy is doing, but why does it matter that he's an Apple Engineer? They /could/ mention it in the article, but why does it have to be in the title? In fact, that's pretty much a pattern these days. "Google Engineer did this". "Apple Engineer did that". You'll never read "$random_company engineer did that", but "Dude did that" or at best "Sofware engineer did that". What is it with the cult of…

It is highly likely than the company's PR agency is the one that writes this kind of articles.

Re: Engineer Converts Van into Laundromat, Offers Free Loads to Homeless

#30
post #5

Santa Monica, CA has a facility called SWASHLOCK.[1] It offers showers, laundry machines, and lockers for homeless people. But the usage level for the laundry machine is low. [1] https://www.opcc.net/?nd=shwashlock

Is anybody doing anything similar in the SF Bay Area?

Check out Lavamae. While you're there send them some money. http://lavamae.org/
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