Hotspot for the homeless

This presentation made me feel both for and against this product as they progressed through the presentation; This product has its ups and downs. I never truly saw how necessary help for the homeless was until watching their presentation. This issue is extremely relevant to all those living in the Memphis area. In our freezing Memphis winters, it's not impossible to imagine being stuck out in the cold having no place to find respite. The idea of planting a mobile heating unit nation wide in hopes of ending the suffering from the freezing temperatures is a true and noble cause. I love the fact that they are also pushing to make these have wifi so homeless people have the ability to stay connected. The idea of having a place for homeless people to stay warm is good in theory, but I can see an issue when it's put into use. First of all, if there is a heating source that puts out enough heat for a radius of 50 feet, then the original source would have to be smoldering hot. If a homeless person were to get to close they could potentially burn themselves, or even worse fall asleep next to it. Another thing I had a question for was what happens to the hotspot unit during non freezing times. I feel like it would just be sitting there waiting to be vandalized or used for something else. Someone in class suggested that they'd insulated the area around it, but the group impressed me with how quickly they responded with an answer that it would potentially make the area a dangerous place as it could become contaminated with disease or be used for other nefarious acts. The biggest problem to me was the fact that the entire project banked on the city changing their legislation on homelessness, which I don't see happening. This is because people in residential areas near these parks wouldn't be willing to accommodate the increase in homeless people near their houses. As Dr. J put in her response to this presentation, " grandma isn't going to simply let homeless people run amuck in their neighborhood."  Although people would be very hesitant to change their minds about this, if this group could spread their message on a global level, then maybe there could be a world where homeless aren't seen with a terrible stigma, but fellow human beings that have fallen on hard times and need help from those who are more fortunate. Another way they could supplement a threat of homeless crime in populated areas near the hot spots is increase the police flow through that area or possibly place them near a police station. Together the world can find an innovate and effective solution to this world wide epidemic.