I have turned down programming opportunities while homeless in recent years. Less social than most, yes. Programming while homeless especially during the pandemic where even Starbucks has no outlets is not as feasible as one would think, to say the least.
Programming in public is not for everyone. In the past (5-15 years ago), I worked most productively from home. No distractions. Coworking space is a suitable interim compromise.
I tried a large coworking space about four years ago. Large, loud crowds and shoulder surfing not dissimilar from a coffee shop. The local coworking space here is a small boutique shop.
Per other comment, any transient work done in recent years was non-technical. One exception: I tried doing one local full stack programming job last fall on an old laptop. Spent better part of a week setting up my env on a machine with a 7,200 RPM HDD and 4GB RAM. (I use VBox at a minimum for Linux server dev work). Gave up after a week of frustration.
If you'd like more info on my personal situation I'd prefer to discuss it in a more private context.
> criminal record
I have no criminal record.
> drugs, weed, alcohol
I don't use drugs, haven't smoked any weed in some time, and rarely drink (maybe a few drinks in recent years).
I burned out on programming years ago and went through a bunch of other difficult life changing events simultaneously. The pressure added up and overwhelmed me. I don't have any family nor long term friends within 2,000 miles.
Legitimate questions.
Yes, I am quite capable. I've tried getting back on my feet but need an organized effort to have hope to actually sustain any productivity in line with my historical norms prior to going homeless.
Part of this process has involved getting past burnout, which I feel has occurred.
Also, I'd like to get even with Dr. Hathaway (moral imperative). This last statement is just a joke but may resonate with some.
All in all, I wish him the best but I won't help. I think he's fully capable of pulling this off himself and I hope he does.
I never said such things to family and friends in recent years. Past help was simply for food before finally giving in to obtain EBT. Once I lost my vehicle, it was easy to qualify for food help. Your speculation is not correct in this case.
I've worked odd jobs in recent years for food money, or for other consumables such as clothing or toiletries. Such work has dried up or become infeasible. I am in a remote area unsheltered. There's one coworking space within biking (or in my current routine, walking) distance.
It's far more difficult than you realize to "pull myself up" with no resources to do so, not even transportation such as a bicycle, as well as while under pressure for my next meal.
If you really must know, I have a hearing condition that prevents me from being able to use any power tools or play music. I gave up performing and recording music a long time ago. I have tried doing labor jobs but am limited on the types of blue collar jobs I can sustain, lest my tinnitus and hyperacusis flare up. It has taken me decades of managing sound exposure in order for my T and H to become manageable.
In my current predicament, I have a backpack with my phone, a hydro flask, phone charger, and personal docs/wallet. I walk everywhere. I have warm clothes stashed many miles where I am safe, from any stores/non-residential areas.
Programming stress affect my T and H but I have little choice but to try again and attempt to find a balance that minimizes stress for a given sustained effort.
Thanks for your well wishes.