> Several negative articles have been published; complaints that van lifers leave rubbish everywhere, including faeces, that they are disruptive and a social nuisance.<p>The feces claim, I've noticed, is popular when people are trying to demonize a group of people - usually people without traditional homes, like the author - evoke a disgust response so great that their awfulness is undeniable. "<i>human feces</i>", is the term I hear.<p>It's so commonly heard that it's a joke to me now. Having spent much time in cities, seeing people who lack housing, seeing where they live, and interacting occasionally, I've never seen it. I'm sure it's there someplace - everything is - but I'm sure it can't be so common.<p>I always want to ask, how do they know it's <i>human</i> feces? Are they feceologists? Did they collect a sample and study it? How closely did they examine it? If anyone here has identified human feces, please share the process with us!
The van life is not to be envied. In Los Angeles, they seem to be every where. People are in a never ending cycle hoping to get out. It's a bad life if you are forced into it and have no plans to get out.<p>Initially it seems freeing but when you lose the motivation to maintain a roof over your head you stop planning for the future and eventually it becomes impossible as you age and you find it harder to get a job.<p>I wish the author well but I hope she fights to get out of the life ASAP.