Hello friends. If want to support the incredible work Alan is doing, I encourage you to visit mlf.org/ Also, in the depth of the pandemic, my team and I produced a film about homelessness working closes with the Independent Institute. I'm really proud of this film and it profile another powerful solution model here in Texas. Find out more here: www.beyondhomeless.org/
The narrative about his mission really does explain so much for the many of us, including local government, who are lacking understanding or gross misunderstanding of the reasons (personal experiences) why homelessness exists. Thanks for this episode
It saddens me that we don't have more mental health facilities for those who truly need it. The 80's did away with it bc of abuse that took place, but why didn't they start to fix the problem instead of doing away with it completely?
complex trauma, childhood trauma (same thing) are often at the root of addiction in whatever form that it manifests, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, food, porn, internet, compulsive buying, and so on
It's an interesting conversation, but it feels pointed. The loss of the family unit can't be tied directly with homelessness without supporting data points- it gives way to say "The cost of all things increases when the family unit degenerates". The fact of the matter is, that property has become a new commodity and the conversation about why that is should happen. Honestly, I think that there is a tenuous correlation at best. It honestly feels like metnioning the increase in cancer rate directly without the ability to detect it. The ability to detect autism earlier and the signs, with increased autism rates. You are a smart producer with smart ideas, but I hold you to a higher standard than this. It just seems like you've missed the trees and the forest, for a fun formation of pebbles.
I was homeless for a time. No one chooses that trauma. They may choose that day to live that way, but they don’t choose such a life. Stay silent on issues you don’t understand.
Absolutely NOT. The MAJORITY of chronically homeless people suffer from serious substance abuse issues AND psychological challenges. Those two things are often in response to trauma and a lack of support structures in their lives, so they fall through the cracks. The drugs and mental illness create a terrible feedback loop. Addiction is a disease state. And while it DOES involve making the choice to start taking drugs, that choice is often part of broken coping with the other issues, including "self-medication". Once addiction is involved, choice is compromised. That's why what Alan does matters. This can't be addressed with the soulless government delivering housing units and "harm reduction" for billions. It NEEDS love and community to work. That means voluntary association. Are there people on the street who are mostly clean and are just fringe types who reject living normal life? Yes. I've known many. I hire a guy in town who's solidly skilled to do handyman work like this. He's just an odd duck, but a real nice guy. He is not the norm. He'd tell you first hand.
I find this person's attitude baffling, irritating and so very ignorant. Perhaps you are reacting to your sense of revulsion at the idea of homelessness...or fear that you may well end up in the same place one day. I don't know. This man is telling you what he has witnessed every day for over 20 years...and this is your response? You need to take a really hard look at yourself.
