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BigBen · 08-24-2005, 06:50 AM

There is an article in my local paper written by a new journalist (I think he's about 25, looking at him) and he is writing a series of stories. In the true fashion of investigative journalism, he is immersing himself into the story.

What is he writing about? The plight of the homeless.

You read this correctly. This guy is going to pretend he is homeless for X number of days, hang out with homeless people, hear their stories, and then write some good quotes down and sell them to me.

I am pretty upset about this. I don't think it is ethical, and the fact is, HE IS NOT HOMELESS. HE IS PRETENDING. HE CAN GO HOME WHEN HE WANTS. If things get bad, he can just call the paper and they will pick him up.

Now, granted, the whole "Black Like Me" thing is not original, and has been done at every angle. I have never heard about this angle though.

What do you TFP'ers think about this? Is this moral? Ethical? Can one possibly experience an environment if the whole thing is a charade?

edit: Okay, I read more... this guy has already done it, and is telling it like it is the present.

08-24-2005, 06:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
BigBen Comedian Location: Use the search button	Pretending to be homeless? There is an article in my local paper written by a new journalist (I think he's about 25, looking at him) and he is writing a series of stories. In the true fashion of investigative journalism, he is immersing himself into the story. What is he writing about? The plight of the homeless. You read this correctly. This guy is going to pretend he is homeless for X number of days, hang out with homeless people, hear their stories, and then write some good quotes down and sell them to me. I am pretty upset about this. I don't think it is ethical, and the fact is, HE IS NOT HOMELESS. HE IS PRETENDING. HE CAN GO HOME WHEN HE WANTS. If things get bad, he can just call the paper and they will pick him up. Now, granted, the whole "Black Like Me" thing is not original, and has been done at every angle. I have never heard about this angle though. What do you TFP'ers think about this? Is this moral? Ethical? Can one possibly experience an environment if the whole thing is a charade? edit: Okay, I read more... this guy has already done it, and is telling it like it is the present. __________________ 3.141592654 Hey, if you are impressed with my memorizing pi to 10 digits, you should see the size of my penis.