Here's an interesting short

artappraiser — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 20:09:32 +0000

In reply to Just to be clear, they have

Here's an interesting short video I just ran across:

Beijing Beggar Shows Off His iPad Slice Skillz (Video!)

The blogger's commentary is interesting as well:

A homeless Chinese man drew quite a crowd recently in Beijing while showing off his 1337 (“elite”, for all you non-haxors) fruit slicing skillz at a subway stop. First of all, I think he’s revolutionized the world of begging, and therefore deserves an award. Second, clearly his begging has paid off…and I think I’ve found my next job. Who ever said being homeless can’t be fun?

In a similar vein, a sort of strange romanticizing of the single homeless life, there was the story of the popularity of "Brother Sharp" on the net in China a couple years back; more with video here.

Just to be clear, they have

artappraiser — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 19:53:34 +0000

In reply to China ghettos....at least

Just to be clear, they have homeless in China as well.

As far as "giving a damn" about homeless in China, this recent story was interesting:

American a hero in China after giving homeless woman French fries
LA Times World Now blog, May 9, 2012 | 10:35 am

BEIJING -- An American student has shot to Internet fame in China after buying a packet of French fries for a homeless woman in Nanjing.

Photos of her enjoying the food with the student -- a Southern California native named Jason Loose, who is now endearingly known as “American French Fry Brother” by many Chinese Internet users -- have been forwarded hundreds of thousands of times on Sina Weibo, China’s popular micro-blogging service.

The images have set off a new round of soul-searching in China since they were posted Saturday. Many Chinese citizens believe that their country’s blind pursuit of wealth has created a moral vacuum, causing feelings of indifference toward the suffering of strangers.

Loose, who has been studying at Nanjing University for nine months, was caught off-guard by his sudden popularity. “I just gave some food that isn’t really even healthy to an old woman and talked with her for a few minutes,” he said of the McDonald's fries when reached by phone today. “I don’t see much that’s newsworthy about that.”

“There wasn’t much money in her collection bowl, and it was really hot out,” recalled Loose, whose hometown is Thousand Oaks. “I walked past her and thought that maybe she could use some food and some company.”

The two talked about her poor health, her home in rural Anhui province, and the weather. She said she was thirsty, he recalls, so he poured her some spring water. He left after about 10 minutes.

“I asked what's her favorite food to eat?” he said. “Her answer was ‘not French fries.’ ”

Loose did not find out until the following day that an onlooker had photographed the encounter and posted the images online. He opened his own Weibo account soon afterward. Although he has written only 17 posts, he already has over 9,000 followers [....]

Another point: I didn't get a sense that the "rat tribe" photographer was trying to present a social justice message of "ghettoes," more like a non-judgmental anthropological one, presenting what people are willing to do to get in on the Beijing boom, and the subculture he saw among them. (Cavaet: User interpretations may vary, as with all artwork. But a reminder that in past real estate booms, there have been those stories of emigres to Tokyo or NYC willing to live in bed-sized "apartments," and then there's the space limitations found in immigrant "Chinatowns" of the past worldwide.)

China ghettos....at least

cmaukonen — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 14:47:22 +0000

In reply to Rat World: The subterranean dwellings of Beijing

China ghettos....at least they have a place to sleep.

dagblog - Comments for "Rat World: The subterranean dwellings of Beijing"

Here's an interesting short

Just to be clear, they have

China ghettos....at least