Pay Pal Sailors

[jkd]

What are your thoughts on folks that sit on expensive (or not so expensive) boats and do the internet equivalent of panhandling?
Some seem to think that posting a blog of their adventures constitutes writing a book and therefore are being paid as a journalist. Others just hope someone sends them money.
I find it all kind of disgusting but I have been told I am too old fashion.
I have read about people trying to get through college etc this way but I can't come to grips with it. Is internet begging the future instead of working? If you have a good story to tell you don't need to worry about doing anything, someone will just send you money?
Three recent news makers have me in a bit of a quandary. Reid Stowe, Ronnie Simpson and the Bumfuzzle couple. All are internet panhandlers, Ronnie at least got himself blown up at behest of our government (right or wrong) so I don't have so many issues with him, the others just seem to want to see who will send them money.
If you go back here and look at my posts, you can see that I have no sympathy for Stowe. The Bumfuzzle couple seem to be trying to sell a story as they go, but have the wherewithal to self finance, so why beg for money?

What do you think?

John

[Talbot]

I don't have any time for rich beggars.

If you want to raise money to do something special yourself, then get off your butt and earn the money yourself.

I also recognise that there are people who have descended to the lowest level of humanity and need help. - I would prefer to fund the soup kitchens and shelter as at least the money is going to be used to alleviate the worst of the problems rather than going to feed some form of addiction.

[Yoga O]

Ok, I'll play a bit.

How is what Bumfuzzle is doing any different than someone who writes freeware and asks for a voluntary contribution? (BTW, I am not a big fan of the Bums.)

Each has spent time and perhaps made investments in gear and internet access to write something that may have value to you. You then get to decide what it is worth to you. No dunning letters, no reports to credit agencies, etc.

In contrast, a panhandler holds out his hand or maybe an insincere sign ("Homeless/Vet/Injured, will work for food, please HELP, God Bless") and hopes that you will give them something for nothing (other than perhaps assuaging some internal guilt on your part).

Fair Winds,
Mike

[ka8uet]

I have been of two minds about this. It seems to me that one should be self-sifficient, especially when doing something like going sailing. If one is in some circumstance in which one can't find a job or something which prevents one supporting oneself for the necessities of life, that's one thing. Society ought to assist so that everyone has one's basic needs met. But when it comes to recreation, it seems to me that one ought to be able to afford it before embarking on it! If I can't afford my boat, I have to sell it, or no sail it until I can afford to go. It's not fair to expect someone else to subsidize my fun.

[Talbot]

How is what Bumfuzzle is doing any different than someone who writes freeware and asks for a voluntary contribution?

Somebody has to design and create the software and then offer it up to the community.

It is then up to the community to decide if they consider that piece of freeware meets their needs, and thus is worthy of some recognition for the fruits of their labour.

Asking for money to allow you to go sailing does not appear to be doing anything to assist the community, but rather funding a freeloader.

[Yoga O]

Somebody has to design and create the software and then offer it up to the community.

It is then up to the community to decide if they consider that piece of freeware meets their needs, and thus is worthy of some recognition for the fruits of their labour.

Asking for money to allow you to go sailing does not appear to be doing anything to assist the community, but rather funding a freeloader.

I think you missed it, so I'm continuing the game --

Change your words just a bit and you have made my point.

Someone has to design and create the website layout AND the content and then offer it up to the community (publish their website).

It is then up to the community to decide if they consider if the content meets their needs (has value), and thus is worthy of some recognition for the fruits of their labor.

How about this? Consider a cruiser who exhausts their kitty, returns to their homeland and writes a book. Let's call it "An Embarrassment of Mangoes". The book gets published; it's wildly popular and the cruisers now have money in the kitty for another round of cruising. (A very good book, IMO!) This cruiser essentially says, "if you want this information you MUST pay for it!"

Another cruiser writes a blog that really speaks to just buying a boat and going NOW! It is well-written, and includes information that is valuable to those who are still on shore wondering what it takes, how much does it cost. They ask for money to continue both the cruising and the reporting. This cruiser essentially says, "pay for it if you wish, otherwise it is free!"

How is the second "panhandling"?

Fair Winds,
Mike

[shirepig]

This is a non-issue: don't pay. The comparison with beggars or pan-handlers is absurd and nonsensical. YOU navigate to THEIR website, presumably read the material they've produced and either enjoy it or not.

A Busker comparison would be more accurate. There was a guy playing a flute today in the street as I walked to work, he was crap - I walked on by.

[tyrntlzrdking]

I am accepting donations for my Maine Cat 30 fund.
I am a retired firefighter on a fixed income, and my back hurts.
Please help me out.
I could really use help paying for this thing.
Donations large and small can be sent direct to my Paypal account tyrntlzrdking@yahoo.com

Thank you for your help.
God bless you.

[shirepig]

I am accepting donations for my Maine Cat 30 fund.
I am a retired firefighter on a fixed income, and my back hurts.
Please help me out.
I could really use help paying for this thing.
Donations large and small can be sent direct to my Paypal account tyrntlzrdking@yahoo.com

Thank you for your help.
God bless you.


See now THAT is panhandling!

[mikereed100]

Why would one squander their hard-earned loot on bloggers and busted up firefighters when they can buy my carbon units and save the world while allowing me to sail untroubled by gainfull employment?
Just a thought.

Mike

[scotte]

At least we can freely talk about such things here, regardless of which side one is on the issue. Thank you fine moderators!

[jkd]

I don't know the more I think of this type of stuff it just starts to look more like a "Paris Hilton" syndrome. Get as much ink out there (good or bad) and someone will start paying. Actually do something to make the press anywhere and the chances of making more only increase.
The strange story of the couple that crashed a White House dinner comes to mind. They did something stupid and are probably going to end up with one of those 'reality shows'.
The mother of some 17 year old kid that has stolen several airplanes, cars and broken into numerous homes but eluded police for a couple of years is shopping a book deal.
Become famous for being famous is the new mantra I think.
Keep writing stuff on as many places you can until your google spot climbs to number 1 and the cash spigot will flow.

I just can't see legitimate writers asking people to buy them a "pizza" or a "beer" over the internet.

John

[scotte]

OK, so here's my two bits. Worth what you paid me for it, nothing more. In fact, I recommend you do yourself a favor and skip my post entirely. ;)

I think alot of it has to do with the attitude of the people involved. Some people have an attitude that reminds me of teenagers - all about me, nothing to learn from anyone else, if you don't like it too bad, I don't care how everyone else does it, don't believe they have anything to learn from anyone else, etc etc etc. These folks I'm really not interested in reading about, and they grate on my nerves. Having raised two teenagers, I know the grating on my nerves intuition pretty well. The more these people say look at me, the more I'll ignore them.

On the flip side are the folks that lay everything out there but don't have the same attitude. Folks that REALLY want to learn, and really care about other folks opinions, and understand that there are things to learn from other people - but maybe more important are willing to give something back. Posts about the first time they did something, but here's how we did it in case it helps you. That's pretty cool! Something in their attitude shows that there is more to them than just what you see on the surface, and that you could have a conversation for more than 60 seconds with them.

On the surface, sometimes these two groups can look the same, but within 10 minutes of reading their blogs you can tell the difference. While I can think offhand of examples of both, I'll leave it to you to make up your own mind, which probably doesn't agree with mine (and that's not only OK, it's expected).

I had Google ads on my blog for awhile. The 2 or 3 people a week who read it didn't amount to anything in my pocket, and then Google blocked my adsense account because apparently my blog was "a significant risk to google advertisers", um...right. I know other cruisers who had the same problem with adsense cancelling them for this same "reason". Point is, I don't think there's a really any money to be made here as cruisers, and can't imagine much money coming in, whether ads or donations. If anyone actually reads my blog and enjoys any of it, then I'm in the + column. Heck, I figure the only people who really will read any of this stuff are other cruisers who don't have any money either, or our family members who think we are crazy anyway!

(At the top, I told you not to read this!)

[jkd]

Scotte, Maybe you have highlighted what I find strange about this.

If I get any type of entertainment (newspaper, TV etc.) (even if it is free) I expect to see advertising. When I run across what Shirepig refers to a "Busker" (and I'm assuming he is referring to a street performer of some sort. If my English to English translation is incorrect, please correct me) I think of that as basically a panhandler with a schtick or gimmick. (think organ grinder and monkey)
But who knows, there are some strange things going on in this realm. There is a guy in NYC called the "Naked Cowboy" that stands around in his underwear, boots and guitar collecting money for having his photo taken with tourists and is now claiming franchise and copyright privileges as a female has had the nerve to do the same thing without paying royalties.:rolleyes:

Its a world gone mad I tell you.:eek:

John