[K0balt]

For the bidding market, they will have to displace the existing cartels first. No kidding, these are often controlled by a superhobo, (in my hometown he now owns a house and a nice Tahoe) who “owns” all of the good corners in town. Idk what his take is, but by providing “protection” to corner operators, he seems to do quite well.

Still, Uber Hobo is still a great idea, you could overwhelm those small operators with flash mobs of hobos during the rollout phase and also accept in app payments so that UH could be assured its 35 percent. Also, as a value add, a BLE beacon that shows you already gave today and to not excessively harass you.

[devsda]

> For the bidding market, they will have to displace the existing cartels first. No kidding, these are often controlled by a superhobo, (in my hometown he now owns a house and a nice Tahoe) who “owns” all of the good corners in town. Idk what his take is, but by providing “protection” to corner operators, he seems to do quite well.

Good to know that some things remain the same regardless of whether it is a developed, developing or a poor country.

[gs17]

> Also, as a value add, a BLE beacon that shows you already gave today and to not excessively harass you.

That sounds more like it would quickly become the "sucker" beacon that tells them you pay out.

[jrflowers]

> No kidding, these are often controlled by a superhobo

Counterpoint: This is made up. It is like a crossover episode between HN and AO3

[K0balt]

Well, it’s not made upon my hometown, and in the few other places I have talked to Hobos and panhandlers, there seems to be something similar in many places. Btw, some panhandlers do quite well. I met a guy back in the 00s that did web design in the early morning at the coffee shop I used to frequent, and in the afternoon he panhandled. He paid $50(us) a day for “his” corner, sat down there in torn up army surplus gear and a rusty propane tank, and his scruffy looking dog, with a sign that said “need money for gas and beer”. He told me that his nightly rake was between 100 and 300 after his “rent”.

I still don’t know which was his side hustle.

[jrflowers]

There is literally no such thing as a superhobo, that is a complete fabrication.

The ocean of difference between “I’ve heard of some folks getting shook down” and “If you see someone panhandling they are likely part of an organized network” is incredibly vast. It is to take one small observation and extrapolate it into a pure fantasy. It is quite literally made up. It kind of sounds like you were told and then credulously believed an urban legend.

Source: Have been homeless, panhandled, and decades of work in homeless outreach. I have worked with folks in day shelters, night shelters, street corners, large encampments, etc. for many, many years and what you have written is patently untrue.

[K0balt]

Ok, well, maybe it’s different from where you have been. But I’m pretty sure there is no global conspiracy to make me believe this, and it has been directly explained to me by people that were in the life, so to speak.

Of course, the term “superhobo” is a farcical literary confabulation, I’m sure nobody actually calls them “superhobos”

My exposure comes from Fairbanks in the 00s, Santo Domingo, Delhi, someplace in California near LA can’t remember. Figured it must be common?