The blogosphere was abuzz about Jack Dorsey’s new startup, Square. Already with 40 million dollars in backing and with the approval of all major credit card companies, Square is either going to fly high or crash hard.
While many expect it to be a wild success in the small business market (as do I) I think it will be an even bigger success in one of the oldest professions.
Begging.
If you’re anything like me, carrying around change is probably your worst nightmare. Plastic is your choice of payment and if they don’t provide a way to swipe your plastic, you probably won’t be making a return trip. Many other people (my age) think the same way, spare change is simply an unnecessary nuisance. This means begging will have to change its form, and instead of a piece of cardboard with some writing and a tin, you might eventually see a homeless person with a wireless enabled device coupled with Square. All the beggar has to do is get you to swipe your card, which is much more convenient than digging in your pocket for change (assuming you have any).
Now, I know many of you are shouting that they are poor for a reason, so how would they afford the necessary devices to beg using Square?
Because I am a believer that wireless enabled devices will be as common as paper within the coming years and will be as easily accessible as a cardboard box with writing on it. Sure, Square has limits due to the fact you need A) an iPhone and B) their own device that plugs into a headphone jack. It will not stay this forever though, and as technology changes so will Square to stay relevant.
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Square, The Future Of Begging
The blogosphere was abuzz about Jack Dorsey’s new startup, Square. Already with 40 million dollars in backing and with the approval of all major credit card companies, Square is either going to fly high or crash hard.
While many expect it to be a wild success in the small business market (as do I) I think it will be an even bigger success in one of the oldest professions.
Begging.
If you’re anything like me, carrying around change is probably your worst nightmare. Plastic is your choice of payment and if they don’t provide a way to swipe your plastic, you probably won’t be making a return trip. Many other people (my age) think the same way, spare change is simply an unnecessary nuisance. This means begging will have to change its form, and instead of a piece of cardboard with some writing and a tin, you might eventually see a homeless person with a wireless enabled device coupled with Square. All the beggar has to do is get you to swipe your card, which is much more convenient than digging in your pocket for change (assuming you have any).
Now, I know many of you are shouting that they are poor for a reason, so how would they afford the necessary devices to beg using Square?
Because I am a believer that wireless enabled devices will be as common as paper within the coming years and will be as easily accessible as a cardboard box with writing on it. Sure, Square has limits due to the fact you need A) an iPhone and B) their own device that plugs into a headphone jack. It will not stay this forever though, and as technology changes so will Square to stay relevant.
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