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Interface Design with a Homeless person

delian.io

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Re: Interface Design with a Homeless person

#41

Post by MIT_Hacker »

chmike wrote: post #37
MIT_Hacker wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You know, I thought about this throughout the entire encounter. I wasn't sure if I could believe any of his stories. He seemed so genuine and so excited throughout the conversation that I gave him the benefit of the doubt. In terms of how much money I gave him, I decided that $100 was probably the minimum amount that could actually help him pursue the idea and as a college intern, I'm not sure I could have spared muc…

What are the odds that such guy would be given a chance to share a piece of himself like he did ? I really don't think the OP was naive. I think there should be more people like him. Y Combinator gave a chance to people who would never have a chance at seed investors or Angle investors. It appeared that YC found few very valuable gems though. Surprised ? You shouldn't because seed investors and Angel investors have s…

By far my favorite comment so far. Thanks for that chmike!

Re: Interface Design with a Homeless person

#42

Post by MIT_Hacker »

aniketpant wrote: post #9

I really enjoyed the encounter. It really makes one think about so many things. Who would have thought that a homeless guy would know about Square and even after that, you would be in a conversation with him about interface design. If that guy has a good understanding of design by chance, I really think that he can actually do well in the industry :) [Just a thought]

I'll put him through the design loop @Square :P

Re: Interface Design with a Homeless person

#43

Post by rdl »

Comrade wrote: post #13

I am glad you had a positive experience with The Tenderloin. I had quite the opposite experience: I was nearly attacked. He was spouting off stuff like "Stupid Americans!" and saying he was not afraid to get sued and that he would just return to his home country. Needless to say, I was pretty terrified. This dude was scary, and my friend (SF local) warned me about The Tenderloin. Anyhow, I think it's great that you m…

I lived in the TL a couple times (crashed at New Hack City in 2002 for a few weeks, and subletted from some DJs on Taylor St in 2003).

I directly saw 2 fatal shootings (two right outside the house at night, while I was sitting by the window cleaning a handgun and on IRC at 2am; called the cops who came by the next day; drug dealers -- saw a bunch of fights, dead people carried out of SROs, etc too), and got assaulted once (guy tried to grab my bag, it remained attached to me thanks to wire in the strap, some violence ensued, I ran off).

Not a place I'd suggest living if you have a choice. It may be gentrifying now, but the SROs are effectively permanent, so there's going to be a population of crazy and/or drug addicted people forever, and the criminals who cater to and prey on them.

Re: Interface Design with a Homeless person

#46

Post by drstrangevibes »

I find the title and the attitude quite offensive... How about a follow up like interface design with a black person or, interface design with a girl? Its just plain weird. Also if you like the guy give him money freely, not on conditions that he open a shop. Unless you are going to give him enough to get started opening it, but $100 isnt really going to go a long way. To me, this just shows how far divorced we have become from society when we start to view homeless people as a different species.

Re: Interface Design with a Homeless person

#47

Post by jlarocco »

Confusion wrote: post #35

and found that my hand-pump was made for a different valve than on my tire. With all handpumps I know, you can unscrew that top part and reverse it, so it fits the two most common kinds of valve (of which I don't know how you call them in English).

The skinny metal ones are Presta valves.

The black plastic/rubber ones that look like car tire valves are Schrader valves.

Re: Interface Design with a Homeless person

#48

Post by hdkmraf »

Being homeless myself I can say most homeless people I have met do it on choice. Not sure about the USA, but here in Tokyo people become homeless after realizing they are wasting their lives working for goals and objectives that benefit nobody. Eventually you realize you don't need most of the "commodities" and "comfort" of modern life. Maybe it is my engineering background speaking, but you learn to maximize output and minimize input in all aspects of life. Sure, sometimes simple pleasures as sleeping can be hard sometimes (some hot nights, some cold ones). But on the other hand there is a feeling of freedom that comes from the lack of material possessions, nothing to take care of, nothing to protect, no attachments, no home to go back, no bills to pay, no future to worry about... just freedom, and it feels great :D

Re: Interface Design with a Homeless person

#49

Post by MIT_Hacker »

hdkmraf wrote: post #48

Being homeless myself I can say most homeless people I have met do it on choice. Not sure about the USA, but here in Tokyo people become homeless after realizing they are wasting their lives working for goals and objectives that benefit nobody. Eventually you realize you don't need most of the "commodities" and "comfort" of modern life. Maybe it is my engineering background speaking, but you learn to maximize output…

That's an amazing insight. I've always loved going backpacking because of that same feeling. It's a complete disconnect from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life. The times when I've been completely free like that are when I've come up with my best ideas!
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