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Comment by shreyansj | Hacker News Reader

I couldn't help but chuckle a bit after reading this blog post. I am not sure if I should be cheerful about this app concept or hang my head in shame.

>> Find/geo-locate the closest beggar near you

How? Homeless people are not static points-of-interest and to even consider them like that is a bit distasteful.

>> Know how safe it is to walk close to that beggar.

Again, how? People adding reviews for an individual homeless person?

View on HN

Billy on 6th Avenue => 4 stars

Thankfulness: 3 Stars (Only said thanks once when I gave him 20 dollars.

Cleanliness: 5 Stars (Hair was still wet from his recent shower at a gym)

Disability/Reason for Homelessness: 4 Stars (Appears to have a peg leg, but I couldn't confirm

Safe to Approach: 4 Stars (Appeared harmless, walked slowly, but wore big overcoat so he could've been hiding a knife)

Recommend to other donors: Yes!

Looks like it's time for a mashup with this: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/13/technology/homeless-as-wi-...

There's usually groups who go to the homeless to offer food, medicine and clothing, they probably have the ins and outs of finding the homeless on their city.

IMHO, the groups who to that, are doing a very noble thing. But dipping this in the silicon valley startup sauce is quite insulting to the homeless individual. What OP should be doing is working hard and contributing to these groups/organizations who know the best way to render help and assistance. Making this into a treasure hunt does not make sense to me. Why would you want a random homeless already-struggling down-on-his-luck guy be disturbed by every smartphone wielding person? Peace and solace must mean something, right?

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