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Ex-Tech –> Homeless in SF

zamoshi.substack.com

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Re: Ex-Tech –> Homeless in SF

#11

Post by ryanjshaw »

tossandthrow wrote: post #9
ArchieScrivener wrote: post #7

Are people reading this or just up voting the title? Sounds like someone who screwed up their life, likely by being stubborn, and doing a lot of drugs, which doesn't take knowing how to code to pull off. Reads like a love letter to misery by someone who knew they would never be truly affected by it.

He explicitly writes that he did not do drugs or alcohol. It would seem like it is some kind of felony charges that are the cause. Whatever they were. But all in all - the downside risk is huge in the US.

The style of writing and strange segways suggest mental illness; the blog description seems to confirm it.

Re: Ex-Tech –> Homeless in SF

#12

Post by curtisblaine »

tossandthrow wrote: post #9
ArchieScrivener wrote: post #7

Are people reading this or just up voting the title? Sounds like someone who screwed up their life, likely by being stubborn, and doing a lot of drugs, which doesn't take knowing how to code to pull off. Reads like a love letter to misery by someone who knew they would never be truly affected by it.

He explicitly writes that he did not do drugs or alcohol. It would seem like it is some kind of felony charges that are the cause. Whatever they were. But all in all - the downside risk is huge in the US.

> He explicitly writes that he did not do drugs or alcohol

> My public defender reminded me of a woman I did ayahuasca with in upstate New York.

Well...

Re: Ex-Tech –> Homeless in SF

#13

Post by imiric »

I will never stop being dumbfounded by the contrast of people going through this kind of hardship being surrounded by some of the wealthiest people in the world. This exists in other parts of the world as well, of course, but it's particularly troubling that it exists in the tech epicenter.

There's something deeply disturbing about a society that allows this to happen, and yet it's something we've learned to accept and largely ignore for centuries. The promise of technology bringing forth universal prosperity is a lie promoted by those who have something to gain from that narrative. Yet we keep believing these people to this day.

Re: Ex-Tech –> Homeless in SF

#14

Post by hn_throwaway_99 »

tossandthrow wrote: post #9
ArchieScrivener wrote: post #7

Are people reading this or just up voting the title? Sounds like someone who screwed up their life, likely by being stubborn, and doing a lot of drugs, which doesn't take knowing how to code to pull off. Reads like a love letter to misery by someone who knew they would never be truly affected by it.

He explicitly writes that he did not do drugs or alcohol. It would seem like it is some kind of felony charges that are the cause. Whatever they were. But all in all - the downside risk is huge in the US.

> He explicitly writes that he did not do drugs or alcohol.

What are you talking about? He specifically mentions drinking beer and doing ayahuasca in the past.

Re: Ex-Tech –> Homeless in SF

#15

Post by pierrekin »

I get an incredible “narcism ick” from this writing. I wonder if other people feel the same way.

It’s so gross contrasted with the theme. The very first paragraphs start with a poor attempt to humble brag his”credentials” as not just a “normal” homeless person.

The self mythologising, the framing of negative things more like the weather than consequences of his choices.

The fact that despite privileged upbringing and working in tech in the valley he has no one willing to offer him a couch.

The most striking for me is the framing of his own grandmothers death as exceptional, proving his lineage is special.

Calling others NPCs, framing of stealing from stores as being the heroic action, even with approval from grandmother.

I feel this is getting redundant. I’d love to hear if anyone disagrees and what their thoughts are.

Re: Ex-Tech –> Homeless in SF

#16

Post by imiric »

ArchieScrivener wrote: post #7

Are people reading this or just up voting the title? Sounds like someone who screwed up their life, likely by being stubborn, and doing a lot of drugs, which doesn't take knowing how to code to pull off. Reads like a love letter to misery by someone who knew they would never be truly affected by it.

Sure, we don't know the entire backstory, but can we agree that no person should live in these conditions? Especially in one of the richest places in the world. Everyone deserves dignity, food, and shelter.

Also, can we stop stigmatizing "drug" use? Most of humanity uses "drugs" regularly for various reasons. Just because a specific "drug" which someone enjoys using recreationally is on a government list doesn't mean that they can't be a productive member of society. Live and let live.

Re: Ex-Tech –> Homeless in SF

#17

Post by karlgkk »

imiric wrote: post #13

I will never stop being dumbfounded by the contrast of people going through this kind of hardship being surrounded by some of the wealthiest people in the world. This exists in other parts of the world as well, of course, but it's particularly troubling that it exists in the tech epicenter. There's something deeply disturbing about a society that allows this to happen, and yet it's something we've learned to accept a…

If you needed a bed for the night, do you have friends who would offer you their couch? Family? Cousins, parents, etc?

Re: Ex-Tech –> Homeless in SF

#18

Post by hn_throwaway_99 »

imiric wrote: post #16
ArchieScrivener wrote: post #7

Are people reading this or just up voting the title? Sounds like someone who screwed up their life, likely by being stubborn, and doing a lot of drugs, which doesn't take knowing how to code to pull off. Reads like a love letter to misery by someone who knew they would never be truly affected by it.

Sure, we don't know the entire backstory, but can we agree that no person should live in these conditions? Especially in one of the richest places in the world. Everyone deserves dignity, food, and shelter. Also, can we stop stigmatizing "drug" use? Most of humanity uses "drugs" regularly for various reasons. Just because a specific "drug" which someone enjoys using recreationally is on a government list doesn't mean…

He was given food and shelter, and then he left on his own volition. He wasn't willing to stay in a shelter unless he had a private room so he stole some stuff from some stores so he could sleep under a bridge.

Re: Ex-Tech –> Homeless in SF

#20

Post by pierrekin »

imiric wrote: post #16
ArchieScrivener wrote: post #7

Are people reading this or just up voting the title? Sounds like someone who screwed up their life, likely by being stubborn, and doing a lot of drugs, which doesn't take knowing how to code to pull off. Reads like a love letter to misery by someone who knew they would never be truly affected by it.

Sure, we don't know the entire backstory, but can we agree that no person should live in these conditions? Especially in one of the richest places in the world. Everyone deserves dignity, food, and shelter. Also, can we stop stigmatizing "drug" use? Most of humanity uses "drugs" regularly for various reasons. Just because a specific "drug" which someone enjoys using recreationally is on a government list doesn't mean…

It’s hard to respond to a call for “everyone to agree” in an online forum but yes.

Even people who are self or outwardly destructive, do not deserve the outcome the author got.

I think a harder to answer question is, assuming there are not enough resources to help everyone in need (in a practical sense) should we prioritise the “more deserving” over the less.

Every human who is suffering deserves compassion, but should we deprioritise those who are suffering partially because of their own choices?

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