I think about this a lot, too. Where I get stuck is on the idea of consequences. Most of life depends deeply on consequences. Like, at any given point there is nothing keeping you from driving like a maniac except the very real consequences of it -- death, being maimed, killing or maiming others. Society fully depends on the assumption that you will internalize these consequences and be deterred by them and that we can reason about the system that results. On occasion those assumptions are violated and then great harm can be done, e.g., World Trade Center, Charlie Hebdo, Columbine, etc.

I would think that having your life fall apart would be sufficient motivation, at every level, to get your shit in order and to learn to play by the rules of society, because if you didn't, it was bleak. And yet, here and now, in this society, the thought of that happening does not sufficiently deter. Part of that is that the consequences have been drastically changed - there are so many layers of fucking up before you wind up in a homeless encampment!

But it's also true, perhaps, that society is harder to fit into for various reasons. It's certainly true that you can fall off easier than people think -- for a lot of people, their financial situation is precarious, and if they fall off the merry-go-round, it's hard to get back on. Or maybe: if you don't get back on right away, it gets harder and harder and harder.

I came to rest on two conclusions:

Not very helpful, I know. But an important question. Thanks for bringing it up.

Agree but hopefully in a bitcoin world there are less people struggling in this way.

That's an issue that preceded bitcoin. The argument that a welfare state will take care of the poor better than a free market economy. It's really complicated. Here in the U.S. I think it's fair to say that social security has helped retirees, but they paid into the system. If you look at the massive social welfare systems of the (not so) Great Society under Lyndon Johnson, it can be argued that those programs increased poverty generationally. I personally have a strong commitment to charity, and I don't want to see the basic lifelines abruptly cut off. The human misery would be horrible. But, looking at the big picture, these programs may do more harm than good.

On a personal note, good for you for helping out. My family is involved with many charities including Meals on Wheels and a local food bank.

homeless people need a wake up call imo. i had this idea of infiltrating a homeless encampent, i mean an agent would infiltrate it, and then one night the cops will arrest him, and throw him in the ocean. he will make it back and tell his story.

then after a while, if the homeless dont care, then the police will actually come and round up as many as they can and throw them in the ocean, even ones that seem really frail. but in the shallow part. and then keep doing this over and over. The worst thing that can happen is they get a regular bath in a sense? Best thing that can happen is their brain sort of opens up and their lives will begin to change. Why not try it.

It could even become a tourist attraction. California has many homeless i think. Who wouldnt want to come and see the monthly or bimonthly "throwing the homeless in the ocean" event? Maybe people will even bring money and food for them after, maybe people who can offer jobs will show up. It sounds beautiful if you ask me. Im down for this.