4 ms·
If nothing else he got free food, correct? If each meal cost AOL around $10 then that's $10 * 3 * (2 * 30) = $1,800 worth of damages. This is not including any
by Smerity 14y ago
If nothing else he got free food, correct? If each meal cost AOL around $10 then that's $10 * 3 * (2 * 30) = $1,800 worth of damages. This is not including any snacks / soft drinks / free gym / other perks that he might be snatching on top of that. If he caused that much damage by taking and then selling books from a local library we'd be in uproar.
Comparing this to RMS isn't fair either. Everyone knew RMS was staying at the university -- his postal address was literally the desk he worked at.
Just as this guy stole quietly doesn't mean he didn't steal. He has raised $70k in funding and then has gone on to steal at least $2,000 from AOL. This isn't just unethical, it's illegal.
- ArmstrongRSBC 14y agoSeriously? AOL is a bit better funded then the average library, and he did have those privileges its much more akin to using an expired gym pass. It's a kooky story nothing else.
- BrandonM 14y ago$10/meal for cereal and ramen? That feels like a stretch to me.
- rrhm 14y agoEach meal did not cost AOL anywhere near $10. The cost to AOL was marginal because they already had purchased all the food and drinks to cater to everyone else in the building at all times. That gives them good economies of scales. Furthermore, his use of office space, gym equipment and all the other perks and amenities he used also cost AOL marginally. It's a stretch to say he financially impacted AOL in any way (unless you factor how the building's insurers decide to factor his squatting stunt into increased risk and higher insurance rates, but that is also a stretch). However, I do agree that he saved over $2,000, since he saved the difference between what it would have cost him to purchase his food and perks at market price elsewhere and what they actually cost.