14 September 2005

Bumvertising

5 comments:

ChiliCon said...

So what do YOU think? Socially insensitive or not?

I miss our lunch conversations. Now I read webpages while I eat.

schmonz said...

How much is the bum getting paid? How much could he scrounge up as an independent contractor otherwise? How much does he think he could scrounge up? What's the effect on consumer spending of his wearing an advertisement? How much less effort is it for him? Does he wish there were more effort needed, because it'd help pass the time?

I guess I think it's socially insensitive if the bum isn't able to make an informed decision by himself and the would-be advertiser doesn't help him to do so. But I'm not sure I agree with myself.

Next opinion, please!

kofno said...

Well, truthfully, the bum's not going to get his due until there's competing business. Like, if I wanted that advertising space, and I have 2 packages of fig newtons and $20, then he's better off then when he just had 1 package and $5. Of course, the market fails if Microsoft decides we're cutting into their bumvertising profits and Ballmer comes out, hits us both with chairs, takes all the fig newtons, and then urinates on us.

ChiliCon said...

I'd say the market succeeds without competition for the bum's services. He can always say no if it's not enough to be worth it for him.

On the side, it's sort of strange to have people basically saying they think it's unfair to the bum, while the bum says 'Sweet, fig newtons'. Maybe the uppity folks don't want to understand how desperate the bum is...

tormp said...

the real question: if someone does something undignified out of desperation, can it really be called a choice, and if not is it our duty to produce a better (and truly accessible) means of attaining sustenance? like surgical studies?