Betsy Isaacson's Homeless Millennials Are Transforming The Hobo Culture

In the article “Homeless Millennials are transforming the Hobo culture” published by Newsweek, writer Betsy Isaacson is not an ethnographer by trade, but a reporter who interviews several homeless men in an attempt to help her readers see how technology is changing the nomadic culture of the American homeless. In her interviews she explains how the smartphone has transformed the homeless cultures lifestyle; communication, on-the-go weather forecasts, social media, web sites such as Craigslist have made finding the odd job much easier. While most of America may be addicted to their smartphones unlimited source of entertainment, the smartphone has become the homelessness survival buddy.

Isaacson’s first interviewer goes by the name of Huck or

The smartphone and internet have become invaluable tools for many of the homeless society. The ability to have a GPS, atlas laptop and phone is a big convince, yet keeping them charged is a whole other story. Huck states “I keep my phone off a lot, or in airplane mode”. Further stating “because we can only charge up for a short time-maybe once a day, or sometimes it will be two to three days between charges, maybe an hour of charge”. The internet savvy homeless ration their usage of battery life. Checking the weather, Google maps even making phone calls then turn them off. Without these tool’s life as a hobo is uncertain and isolated. Huck explains that for over a 100 the homeless have followed a seasonal schedule states and picking up odd jobs wherever they can find work. He further states that with access to the internet it has changed how hobos find work “I know thousands of hobos, and I don’t know a single one that doesn’t use Craigslist.” Technology has improved the changes of working for the homeless and has lessen the stigma of someone picked-up off the

Symbols such as a face on a barn represents a safe place to rest, and a caduceus on the door of a doctor’s office means the doctor will treat the homeless. Huck clams to be part of a group updating the code among the high tech homeless. Symbols representing free Wi-Fi networks and outlets that the homeless may charge their smartphones. Huck wishes to keep these homeless friendly businesses and symbols a secret. Fearing that if overused by the public the outlets that was accessible to the homeless will be locked up. This form of nonverbal communication has been vital for the homeless community past and present.

Quain another homeless man Issacson intervened, says that the internet and mobile devices are building friendships and social groups within the homeless community. Groups are sharing the expense of a single phone. He explains that these devices are helping the homeless feel more connected with the world around them. Web sites such as SquatThePlanet.com and TravelersHQ.org are helping fellow vagabond forming groups, sharing experiences and