Does the lack of payphones in modern society discriminate against the homeless?

[TheNinja]

The lack of phone booths is widely known to have been a major contributor to the downfall and reduction in the number of Superman appearances too.

 

[paperfist]

Usually free phones require an address, one per, 250 minutes a month

Our DMV is located next to where those not so well off apply for public assistance. So I've overheard some colorful stories before. Those people taking applications don't exactly go through great lengths to verify information. So I imagine if you write 5748 5th Street on your cardboard box that you'll qualify

 

[MotionMan]

Skype.

DUH!

MotionMan

 

[Bateluer]

Yeah, I mean, superheroes need a place to change into costume.

 

[MotionMan]

Yeah, I mean, superheroes need a place to change into costume.

Modern phone booths did not work anyway:

MotionMan

 

[illusion88]

There are call boxes on CA freeways, but I think those only connect to emergency numbers.

 

[ModerateRepZero]

Not by any definition of discriminate that I know. I doubt there is any anti-homeless motive behind it. It's just a symptom of the evolution of telephone service.

A better question would be "Does the lack of payphones have a disproportionately negative effect on the homeless relative to the rest of society"?

+1. Discrimination to me implies that there's some sort of malice or deliberate intent. I don't think that's the case w/disappearing payphones at all.

 

[MotionMan]

There are call boxes on CA freeways, but I think those only connect to emergency numbers.

Calling John Draper!

MotionMan

 

[JPS35]

No, welfare everywhere pays for it under "wraparound services" just like rent, utilities, car, and food.

 

[spidey07]

No, welfare everywhere pays for it under "wraparound services" just like rent, utilities, car, and food.

Yep. Free everything. Why the hell am I working again?

Free - rent, utilities, money, cars, cell phones, etc.

Why the hell am I working? Look to the riots in London, take away the free shit and they riot.

 

[SMOGZINN]

No, but the lack of public toilets might.

 

[feralkid]

Yep. Free everything. Why the hell am I working again?

Free - rent, utilities, money, cars, cell phones, etc.

Why the hell am I working? Look to the riots in London, take away the free shit and they riot.

You have a job?

 

[x26]

Definitely discriminates against drug dealers and hostage takers. And anyone who needs to take a drunken piss on a Friday night.

They get those Free "Obama Phones" now.

 

[Svnla]

Obviously, OP has not been to a downtown library (at least in my city - I work in downtown area). Homeless dudes and dudetts are all over inside, especially in this hot weather.

The only time that I ever see a pay phone is at the airport. Places such as c-stores don't have them anymore.

 

[JPS35]

Yep. Free everything. Why the hell am I working again?

Free - rent, utilities, money, cars, cell phones, etc.

Why the hell am I working? Look to the riots in London, take away the free shit and they riot.

Someone has to pay for the welfare...

 

[vshah]

every single pay phone in NYC smells like piss.

 

[pcgeek11]

Who gives a fuck.

 

[MotionMan]

Definitely discriminates against drug dealers and hostage takers. And anyone who needs to take a drunken piss on a Friday night.

Drug dealers prefer untraceable and mobile mobile phones over pay phones.

MotionMan

 

[JS80]

How are they supposed to communicate? They don't have any place to plug in a cell phone to charge it.

I am a bit disheartened to see so many pay phones going away. I know that if I am ever stranded somewhere, and my cell phone runs out of juice, I'll be screwed.

Most homeless people have small apartments and access to shelters.

 

[MotionMan]

Most homeless people have small apartments and access to shelters.

I need to adjust my understanding of the term "homeless".

MotionMan

 

[zinfamous]

This is all Obama's fault.

 

[Spikesoldier]

I used to hate it when I needed to make a call (it was .10 back then) and all I had was a quarter. Bastards.

The places that still have phones (in bad neighborhoods) usually have signs posted above them saying that the phones are monitored by law enforcement. Saw a few when I was living in Berkeley.

Cell phones killed pay phones for sure, much too expensive to build/maintain/service.

are you kidding me? each payphone you own in the ghetto is a gold-mine. strategically placed, you can make a killing.

 

[FelixDeCat]

I miss payphones. :'(

They are great for creeping people out:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiKoAbBsn7c

Hello Darling.

Surprised?

Yes, its me again.

I just returned from the Isle of Chandelier.


What am I doing in town? Well Im glad you asked... :twisted:

 

[Tiamat]

Do lottery tickets discriminate against those who do not pay taxes?

 

[foghorn67]

It's me again Margaret.
Are you naked?