Dozens of homeless people run popular blogs which they update in public libraries and in some cases, with their own personal laptops. The homeless man shown here, Happy Ivy, even advertises his website on a $400 bus which he also calls home. His site, Aboutusnow.com, is a political-advocacy site dedicated to helping the homeless. He also hosts an internet TV show.
"Happy Ivy doesn't have a bathroom or a kitchen in the bus he calls home. He does, however, have a video-editing station. Living in a squalid, Woodstock-style bus parked in a Fillmore, California, orange grove, the 53-year-old homeless man charges a power generator from a utility shed and uses Wi-Fi from a nearby access point." (Wired)
Another homeless man, Kevin Barbieux, runs "The Homeless Guy", which is the most popular homeless blog. He updates his blog daily during hour-long visits to a Las Vegas library and features video interviews. "It's the only real success I've had in my life," he said. The slogan of his site is, "There is more to homeless people than being homeless."
Homeless People and Their Weblogs Start to Get High Tech
Homeless People And Their Weblogs Start To Get High Tech
Trend Themes
1. Tech-empowered Homelessness Advocacy - Less fortunate individuals are utilizing tech to amplify their voices and cause to raise awareness and resources to help address homelessness.
2. Homeless-powered Web Content - The homeless are creating unique and insightful web content that resonates with users.
3. Public Library-based Blogging - Public libraries are empowering homeless individuals with access to technology to create and share their stories, insights, and advocacy resources.
Industry Implications
1. Tech Industry - Tech firms can assist in bridging the digital divide and supporting the empowerment of homeless individuals by providing access to low-cost internet and computing solutions.
2. Nonprofit Industry - Opportunities abound for nonprofit organizations to partner and assist homeless advocates seeking to use technology and digital tools to raise awareness and gain support for the cause.
3. Creative Industry - Creative professionals and institutions have the ability to create platforms for the homeless to express their stories, generate empathy and empower homeless individuals.