Gotta agree with Farmaz on this one, b&w. Know what you mean and agree on the general sentiment, but on the specific case I really can't imagine anyone being actually content sleeping rough.
I'm with Issy on this (this is happening more and more frequently - help).
It was a simple illustration of how 'happiness' doesn't / shouldn't depend on socioeconomic status. I don't think it was an attempt to trivialise rough sleeping at all. It was simply one end of a heavily-polarised spectrum of living conditions, aspirations, lifestyles and the like.
Maybe the fact farmaz seemed to take offence to it (wrongly IMO, but I understand these experiences leave deep psychic wounds) and responded with an emotive post detailing the abject nature of actual homelessness stirred up your own memories of the experience.
It sounds horiffic and I'm sorry to hear that both of you had to endure it. Yet I think it was just being used as an extreme example of our materialist definition of 'haves' and 'have nots'.
I'm sure in the cold light of day you'll agree - I often say "I'd rather die of AIDS / Cancer" or kill myself. All of these have had an impact on my life directly or indirectly, yet I don't
genuinely think it'd be more fun to do these things than whtever I'm comparing them to, so I couldn't take exception to people who used them to illustrate a point. If anything it highlights the fact that homelessness
isn't romantic, and the absurdity of its continued existence in a society that conditions us to covet unnecessary baubles and displays of wealth.
And yes, I've slept rough (admittedly not long-term) and dossed down in mate's houses and squats for years, which ain't the same thing and yet it's still stressful and unsettling.
As for the rest of my life, there are some other things I've experienced (too personal to be discussed here) that people either use in similar examples or actually mention in a frivolous context. Most of the time I'll ignore them, as will the majority of EADDers. Unless I feel there's a genuine point to be made about offensive views or (occasionally - I won't lie) when I'm in a huff.
Shambles, I know you're aware of the above, but I'm just re-stating it here, because I think it's important that people judge things based on the context they're said in. It's a big part of what makes EADD tick without too much modstick action. People don't take things personally unless it's intended that way.
No apologies necessary, b&w, but thank you for clarifying it for farmaz's benefit. Says a lot about your own maturity. And all-round coolness as an EADDer.
Anyway, homelessness isn't the topic. Cut it out, you lot!
which I am slowly trying to cut out my life...
