Hacker News Reader

Comment by weego | Hacker News Reader

I 'run' my own micro arts fund providing support for people in MH communities that would like supplies or tools to help as part of their ongoing rehab or change of career as a way of getting back into a life that means something.

The answer really is if you expect a measurable outcome from small-scale investing in people then don't do it, you're in the wrong space. If you view your investment as a path to the outcome you have in mind for them then don't do it, you're in the wrong space.

If you believe that a person deserves opportunity that might otherwise be blocked from them by what the privileged of us would consider incredibly low bars (money) and are willing to possibly not ever know if it made a difference or where that took them then it might be for you.

View on HN

Yes, this sounds right!

If you approach it with the mindset of "let's free this person up for a while and see if this helps them do something cool" then you're more likely to be happy with the outcome.

This is not a job, after all, which would allow you to get a measurable or specific outcome - it's a grant!

What you’re describing seems clearer and much more likely to succeed than the plan in the post. It sounds like you’re talking about enabling others to self-actualize, which is definitely a worthy goal (but not what the post seemed to be trying to achieve).

I work in similar area. Giving them space and time to stream their creativity into some tangible artifact is the first step. This can be cash or a long chat on random topics. Some talented folks resign in their life due to day-to-day grind. They have to be reignited to tap into their creativity. It is mind-blowing to see simple tools, processes, and a little bit of encouragement can go a long way. Providing space and time for creativity is a good means to a better end - whatever the end may be.

I put this together as a concept. There are so many tiers of "low bar", I think a lot of people just need a very basic safety net.

There is so much real estate sitting essentially empty and the boomer generation is starting to downsize to smaller places because their homes feel empty and have become unrewarding to own.

After my parents died when I was young I would have killed for a middle class teen/twenties life.

https://www.middleclasspaas.com/

Seems very niche, but I like this idea. Why not have an agency for lonely/struggling people who want to get together and develop some kind of symbiotic relationship with each other to do so? There's risks, but those are always present. I hope it works out.

That has to be one of the most uplifting things I've seen in a long time!

The common answer to the world's problems these days is more along the way of "just have an idea, then fund it, then sell it and then I'll be happy for you if it solves my problems first".

Civilization is a group endeavor, so called Democracy even more so.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com