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“serfdom” is a good way to characterize it, since it’s a lot harder to save money (and eventually be able to rent/buy a real place to live) if you have to go out for meals, entertainment, and meeting your social needs.

That could be an article title from either the Onion or the WSJ Opinion section.

I don't think anybody's really being "forced" to do anything here. There are very affordable spots in the East Bay, some even along the BART.

Pods are trying to normalize bare minimum shitty living conditions with high rent.

Imagine paying $700 and not having personal toilet, kitchen, bathroom, a place to keep your things or even a place to comfortably sleep/sit. This is pure exploitation unless it's an exotic tourist attraction.

Is it exploitation if it's completely voluntary? I don't think you and I have the same definition for that word.

Yes, when you advertise it as a "cheap alternative" to being homeless