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Bunk bed is $1,200 a month, privacy not included

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31–40 of 69 posts

Re: Bunk bed is $1,200 a month, privacy not included

#31

What once was old is new again. The fad we call "co-living" today has been common for most of the nation's history. You can even see examples of it in old movies, books, and TV shows. But now that it's got SVVC money behind it, it's somehow shiny and new. Although the "pod" angle seems new, it's not. Though, it was almost exclusively for the very very poor in the past.

A key difference: I don't think it was as common to be "co-living" with complete strangers (though maybe I'm wrong on that).

Sharing a room with someone you're pretty familiar with is a much different experience.

Re: Bunk bed is $1,200 a month, privacy not included

#32

This reminds me of the coffin hotels in Neuromancer / one of the Gibson cyberpunk novels, although the real-life version is decidedly less cool (and probably more comfortable.) In any case: if the cost was lower, I personally would find this somewhat appealing. A private bed and storage space in lower Manhattan for say, $400 a month, would actually be a decent deal. You'd have to be extremely minimalist, but that wou…

With some minor privacy/security tweaks, I agree. Most "coffin hotels" are better than this without consuming more space.

Re: Bunk bed is $1,200 a month, privacy not included

#33
post #4

If this had a bit more satire to it, it could absolutely pass for a beaverton article. Privacy means a lot to me. Assuming it's not winter time, I'd honestly prefer going home to my own tent in the forest over this.

For the uninitiated, The Beaverton is a Canadian satire news site, similar to The Onion in the US.

Nah, it's totally different. It has beavers.

Re: Bunk bed is $1,200 a month, privacy not included

#34

This reminds me of the coffin hotels in Neuromancer / one of the Gibson cyberpunk novels, although the real-life version is decidedly less cool (and probably more comfortable.) In any case: if the cost was lower, I personally would find this somewhat appealing. A private bed and storage space in lower Manhattan for say, $400 a month, would actually be a decent deal. You'd have to be extremely minimalist, but that wou…

> A private bed and storage space in lower Manhattan for say, $400 a month

It would likely be similarly priced to the article, i.e. closer to $1200/month.

I think that's the real downside of things like this: They're offering a pretty steep discount compared to what it would cost to, say, rent a studio in lower manhattan, but not a steep enough discount that it would be affordable for someone making minimum wage.

It seems like a poor alternative to just having roommates and living in Crown Heights, is what I mean.

Re: Bunk bed is $1,200 a month, privacy not included

#35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are? Where. Also, it doesn't matter. You can't leave prison. That's the main problem with it, not how poor or nice the finishes are.

Prisons at least allow visitors.

Prisons allow visitors because prisoners generally can't leave. It's a much better deal IMO to be able to leave but not have visitors come to you.

Re: Bunk bed is $1,200 a month, privacy not included

#36
I could maybe see doing something like this if it was $300/month cheaper and each pod had a retractable door, almost like those Japanese capsule hotels. I get that in a space this small you aren't going to have much privacy, but to not have any sort of divider to block in the bed space seems over the top. Maybe the idea is that if people can close themselves off, they're more likely to do something like play their music too loud or watch stuff on their computer with the volume too high versus if there is no divider they'll be more conscientious?

Re: Bunk bed is $1,200 a month, privacy not included

#37
post #34

This reminds me of the coffin hotels in Neuromancer / one of the Gibson cyberpunk novels, although the real-life version is decidedly less cool (and probably more comfortable.) In any case: if the cost was lower, I personally would find this somewhat appealing. A private bed and storage space in lower Manhattan for say, $400 a month, would actually be a decent deal. You'd have to be extremely minimalist, but that wou…

> A private bed and storage space in lower Manhattan for say, $400 a month It would likely be similarly priced to the article, i.e. closer to $1200/month. I think that's the real downside of things like this: They're offering a pretty steep discount compared to what it would cost to, say, rent a studio in lower manhattan, but not a steep enough discount that it would be affordable for someone making minimum wage. It…

Judging from the image in the article, the space isn't very well-designed. Something like Japanese pod hotels are far more space efficient and would probably let you fit 10 pods in the space of two bunkbeds.

Re: Bunk bed is $1,200 a month, privacy not included

#39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are? Where. Also, it doesn't matter. You can't leave prison. That's the main problem with it, not how poor or nice the finishes are.

Prisons at least allow visitors.

Have you ever actually visited someone in prison? I have and I'd say meeting up in a coffee shop is infinitely preferable. You can only go there during a specific time. You have to go through a long screening process that might involve taking off undergarments for inspection so you have to get there early. You awkwardly sit in a room with the inmate at a table being constantly watched. You only get a small amount of time with them. It's not really very "social."

Re: Bunk bed is $1,200 a month, privacy not included

#40

This reminds me of the coffin hotels in Neuromancer / one of the Gibson cyberpunk novels, although the real-life version is decidedly less cool (and probably more comfortable.) In any case: if the cost was lower, I personally would find this somewhat appealing. A private bed and storage space in lower Manhattan for say, $400 a month, would actually be a decent deal. You'd have to be extremely minimalist, but that wou…

>Add a VR system to each pod and you won't even notice the lack of space

I think they probably would notice, on account of not being able to sit up, stand up, move their legs enough to simulate walking, move their arms more than a few inches...you get the idea.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy VR and think it's fun, but I don't understand how people get optimistic about its potential for palliating overcrowded conditions. VR doesn't literally let you inhabit a virtual space :)

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