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I did this in Toronto and SF for a few summers in my 30s, well into my "real life" and beyond college. It was transformative, like creating my own UBI. Found al

by patcon 1y ago

I did this in Toronto and SF for a few summers in my 30s, well into my "real life" and beyond college. It was transformative, like creating my own UBI. Found all the same benefits: mundane daily moments become magical. Unexpected hospitality of strangers when I [on rare occasion] needed it. Admiration of friends and strangers. Etc etc The main thing I did different was using a hammock tent (10min setup, 10min teardown each day). So I stayed in very public places (right off major foot traffic routes) and just went to bed early and got up at sunrise. Also, I told everyone. No authority cared that i was doing it. In fact, i was organizing weekly events for government employees (some quite high level), and they all thought it was hilarious and were supportive. Here's my learnings: https://github.com/patcon/urban-camping https://github.com/patcon/urban-camping EDIT: Ah, and these were my notes from living in rented shipping containers with a friend: https://github.com/patcon/container-city/wiki/Notes https://github.com/patcon/container-city/wiki/Notes

burnt-resistor 1y ago
Sounds similar to backpacking through {India | Camino de Santiago}. I think it's important for every young adult who becomes a well-rounded adult to have experienced a short term of deprivation so they have a frame-of-reference what others in less fortunate situations experience. <my-two-centidollars>The problem today is that there are too many mean, spoiled individuals with way too much power lacking theory of mind, a sense of community, and basic human compassion.</my-two-centidollars>
5mv2 1y ago
Love the actionable advice like "I rent a PO Box for about $200 per year."
- gosub100 1y ago
  That's about the 2 week drug and alcohol budget for an average homeless person. Homeless means no permanent shelter, not "forbidden to acquire and use money"
  - patcon 1y ago
    ah, i didn't even process that that comment might be sarcasm :)
koakuma-chan 1y ago
> So I stayed in very public places "I'm currently tenting in the backyard of a friend's place." "Tenting in a park is not something I'm comfortable advising right now :)" Any solutions other than a friend's backyard?

by patcon 1y ago

burnt-resistor 1y ago

Sounds similar to backpacking through {India | Camino de Santiago}. I think it's important for every young adult who becomes a well-rounded adult to have experienced a short term of deprivation so they have a frame-of-reference what others in less fortunate situations experience. <my-two-centidollars>The problem today is that there are too many mean, spoiled individuals with way too much power lacking theory of mind, a sense of community, and basic human compassion.</my-two-centidollars>

5mv2 1y ago

Love the actionable advice like "I rent a PO Box for about $200 per year."

gosub100 1y ago
That's about the 2 week drug and alcohol budget for an average homeless person. Homeless means no permanent shelter, not "forbidden to acquire and use money"
- patcon 1y ago
  ah, i didn't even process that that comment might be sarcasm :)

koakuma-chan 1y ago

> So I stayed in very public places "I'm currently tenting in the backyard of a friend's place." "Tenting in a park is not something I'm comfortable advising right now :)" Any solutions other than a friend's backyard?