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Depressing Craigslist Ad? Or Chance of a Lifetime!

gawker.com — *****

Bury

insaincain02 109 days ago, made popular 109 days ago

1299 diggs
digg it

137 Comments
Who Dugg It?

ScottMcIntyre, on 08/17/2008, -7/+19A job ad: "Help save an old man's life- get 10000 in my will". Either fab or sad!
- linagee, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1Put a smelly old man clause. If he ever gets that smelly old man smell, you get half the money now and get to walk.
irfanmp, on 08/17/2008, -2/+202If you do the math, it comes out to $8.74 an hour.
- War3Zone, on 08/17/2008, -1/+4you bet!
- benbrooks101, on 08/17/2008, -3/+80Depends how fast he dies, If you know what I mean...
  - Guppy, on 08/18/2008, -1/+45It's kind of hard to interpret it any other way.
  - KJSatz, on 08/18/2008, -1/+2Unless you toss in a dash of MURDER!
- 2clone, on 08/17/2008, -41/+6If you do the research, it turns out you stole that comment from "MrMisterJ" on http://gawker.com/5038008/depressing-craigslist-ad ...
  
  See...
  
  MrMisterJ at 12:28 PM
  Reply by Email
  It only works out to be about $8.75 an hour.
  - tehjarvis, on 08/17/2008, -5/+33Or he did the math, retard.
  - omarciddo, on 08/18/2008, -2/+41Or he just did the math himself?
    
    5.5 hrs/day * 2 days/week * 52 weeks/year * 2 years = 1144 hours
    
    $10,000/1144 hours = $8.74/hour
    
    It's not a hard problem, do the math before you accuse someone of comment-stealing.
  - chaon93, on 08/18/2008, -1/+10Just because he didn't do it first doesn't necessarily mean he stole it you know.
  - PhrosTT, on 08/18/2008, -19/+2yes it does. stop digging him down.
  - ShrimpCrackers, on 08/18/2008, -1/+4Plus factor in travel time and it becomes even less. You'll have to wait when the 70+ year old dies, and that could take 20+++ years.
  - sg7791, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2Plus factor in time travel and it becomes even less.
- themastersb, on 08/18/2008, -8/+5That's a cent under minimum wage.
  - ZombieSociety, on 08/18/2008, -1/+11More like $1.74 over it. Hint: Not everybody has the same minimum wage.
  - ZebZ, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2The ad was posted from the New York City page on Craigslist.
    
    The minimum wage in New York State is $7.15. If this person lives in New York (or New Jersey, which is also $7.15), $8.74 is actually $1.59 (or over minimum wage. If this guy lives in Connecticut and just posted in the NY Craigslist, the $8.74 rate is $1.09 over.
  - xptoast, on 08/18/2008, -0/+3Pretty easy job if you ask me. I would love to learn the little bits of information and talk about grand things of life with that old chum for a good amount of change. Very enlightening if you ask me.
- stretch611, on 08/18/2008, -0/+10You are assuming that the will is not contested by someone else and that he dies with at least $10,000 in assets.
- richgustavson, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2If he provides the herb, I'll be there ;)
- linagee, on 08/18/2008, -0/+3IT'S A TRAP!
- ranon78, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2You get $10,000 in the will of the person who posted the ad. Not in the 92 year old man's will. This fellow is 73 years old and would likely live for some more time, given that his relative is 92.
Camspoozel, on 08/17/2008, -3/+20ahh, so this is why Mitch Album wrote "Tuesdays with Morrie".
- MeatyMcBeef, on 08/17/2008, -10/+2***** Morrie.
  - Melun91, on 08/18/2008, -3/+10***** you. That was a great book.
- Mespinal23, on 08/18/2008, -1/+2"Tuesdays With Morrie" was the first thing that came to mind after reading the ad.
jayrok, on 08/17/2008, -3/+115A 73 year-old using Craigslist? Wow.
- baldboy7, on 08/17/2008, -2/+19A 73 year-old using a computer? Wow.
- petebert, on 08/17/2008, -1/+17not surpising since its in CAPS
  - MeatyMcBeef, on 08/17/2008, -2/+47Old people are used to writing loud so they can see it.
  - archer104, on 08/18/2008, -1/+17WHAT?
  - baldboy7, on 08/18/2008, -0/+8TURN UP YOUR HEARING AID!!!!!!
  - jayrok, on 08/18/2008, -0/+3Maybe it's the same guy that's been posting Reader's Digest submissions on Digg.
- MeatyMcBeef, on 08/17/2008, -9/+4A 73 year old alive? Wow.
- pros599, on 08/18/2008, -5/+2A 73 year old using a computer for purposes other than teenage boys... Amazing.
coldfusion1970, on 08/17/2008, -13/+1I dont see how it saves anyones life. Silly advert.
iamdak, on 08/17/2008, -14/+185McCain?
- DforSpiD, on 08/18/2008, -2/+33McCain's Grandson...
  He's only 92
- Diggnabbit, on 08/18/2008, -1/+11Wow, they're really going all out for this VP search.
- Wandel, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1No, McCain can't use the Internet.
whazdown, on 08/17/2008, -0/+31A smiliar thing happened here in London too, a guy was paying something like £20 a hour for guys to sit with his Dad (who was about 75-80 I think) at his local pub and have a few drinks with him. Fair play to be honest, would hate to be lonely when I'm old.
- ZeeZee2k, on 08/18/2008, -0/+6That's not bad actually.
- jerrycurley, on 08/18/2008, -3/+1As opposed to being lnely now? Remember...this is digg.
zebrapoo, on 08/17/2008, -15/+2Duck tape your butt hole, just in case you fall asleep.
- linagee, on 08/18/2008, -1/+1What about your mouth or any other orifice?
erbalot, on 08/17/2008, -1/+8I'd do that in a heartbeat.
- mtdna, on 08/18/2008, -3/+1I don't need babysitting, but how about this...
  
  Give me your car and all the money in your bank account, and I'll leave you $1,000,000,000 in my will. I promise you'll get it. Cross my fingers! And if you don't, you can walk with me straight to the bank. Oh. Ummmm......
  - linagee, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1I would demand that he write a post dated check and give quarterly asset reports.
netneutrality, on 08/17/2008, -1/+20But what if he's from Zimbabwe?
- Chicken, on 08/17/2008, -3/+3You mean Nigeria? Those bastards are at it again!
  - netneutrality, on 08/17/2008, -0/+4I mean the ridiculous worthlessness of the Zimbabwean dollar. 10,000 of them would buy about one half of a used gobstopper and any fluff which may be stuck to it.
- HMMcKamikaze, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1Careful there. Don't forget that they're dropping off all those zeros. Now $10,000 might get you get you 3 or 4 oranges, or maybe even a whole pineapple.
braininabox, on 08/17/2008, -1/+31What exactly does he mean by "sit with"?
I would want to be familiar with his usage of that term before I agreed to two years of doing it :D
- linagee, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1Sit on or be sit on.
Rousterfar, on 08/17/2008, -0/+86If this is real, I really don't find this funny. It's both sad and touching at the same time. Have any of you ever volunteered at a retirement home? When you reach a certain age having company, someone to talk to, even for a couple hours a week, means the world.
- ratatat1, on 08/18/2008, -0/+13Very true. Any of my grandparents are thrilled when I come visit them or call them.
- Brododium, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1If anyone buries this, they have no soul.
  It's true, I used to do a chemist round/pharmaceutical delivery on my bike, I'd always chat with the people I delivered to, one man would talk to me about the football (Aussie rules) for ages on end. It's quite sad seeing them anticipate your visit when other people have forgotten them, even if it's only five minutes a week.
- psykiv, on 08/18/2008, -1/+2They have no one to blame but themselves. Several reasons:
  
  1. At least around here, there are a few places that old people can go to to socialize with other old people. For example, the City of West Miami, FL has a huge salon that is open to all the old people who live in the city every day. They have things such as bingo and card games that old people play with each other. They also take them, usually free, to places such as the Zoo, the Seaquarium, the Museums, etc. They also provide free lunch.
  
  2. Your culture. If your culture (I'm talking to you Americans) places an extremely heavily emphasis on Independencizing as early as possible so you can get your kids out of the house by age 18, and not truly teaching them what it means to be family oriented, you will have this problem. If you kick your kid out by age 18, don't be surprised if 20 years down the line he stuffs you in a nursing home and visits you once a month, if that. I've noticed that hispanic familes don't really have the problem of "abandoned old people" nearly as much, because they are usually extremely family oriented.
  
  3. Your attitude. We don't have to respect you just because you are old. Respect is earned. If you treat me respectfully, I'll do the same. If you treat me like *****, don't expect to treat you well, if at all. Furthermore, if someone does reach out and talk to you, don't get clingy! People get burned out very easily and if you insist on just keeping someone there for as long as possible, don't be surprised when they stop coming back.
  
  4. If you're that ***** lonely, get a dog or something.
  - Mithivh, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1Some senior citizens can't get around well, and the vast majority find going outside and walking to be exhausting. How many of them are able to drive safely?
    
    Sounds like somebody was traumatized by his grandparents...
    
    If you're that ***** bitter, get a life or something.
compgeek, on 08/17/2008, -9/+1wow this quite literally the lamest and saddest thing I have ever seen.
ferrell, on 08/17/2008, -4/+40So wait...

Is he 92 or 73?

Is it two guys?

Do I have to hang out with both of them?
- Akkarin, on 08/17/2008, -0/+17You sit with the 92 year old guy, but sign the agreement with the 73 year old who makes sure you get paid.
  - Mononuclear, on 08/18/2008, -0/+3well the lawyer of the 73 year old makes sure you get paid since the 73 year old is going to put the person in his will. You don't get paid until the 73 year old dies.
    
    I wonder what happens if the 92 year old dies 1 year into the service since the agreement is for 2 nights a week for 2 years.
- TenebrousX, on 08/18/2008, -0/+25Maybe the 73 year old is the 92 year old's son
- algaeturd, on 08/18/2008, -13/+7You have to have sex with one while the other photographs.
  And then switch.
  - RandomFruitBat, on 08/18/2008, -12/+2"Well, here's the deal, *****.
    You're doing something to help someone out in their time of need. This man obviously wants a companion that will help make his days more bearable. What's wrong with doing something that would help someone out even if it didn't pay minimum wage.
    JESUS ***** CHIRIST, YOU ARROGANT *****....don't you remember there was a time when people used to VOLUNTEER to help others that were in need.
    You're a prick. No wonder this country sucks so badly these days. Everyone is like you and every ***** is out to make a million dollars rather than do something good for their soul.
    I hope you die poor and lonely. I really do."
  - SpankkBankk, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1Were quotes really needed fruit?
  - RandomFruitBat, on 08/18/2008, -1/+0@SpankkBankk
    I'm just quoting algaeturd.
  - linagee, on 08/18/2008, -1/+1Two of my friends died trying to have sex and take pictures.
- DigitalBullet36, on 08/21/2008, -0/+0I was wondering the same thing.
ecaffeine, on 08/17/2008, -1/+28I don't want to grow up
- Akkarin, on 08/17/2008, -1/+3... and grow old.
- JT114881, on 08/18/2008, -0/+19....I'm a Toys R Us kid.
  - DraxusD, on 08/18/2008, -3/+1A million toys to choose from, that I can play with!
- CasualReader, on 08/18/2008, -0/+5So do some good stuff while you are still young; hike Europe, chase a girl, write a book (or a blog), sail the Caribbean. But you probably just sit around having playing virtual games, stuff you could do in your eighties.
  
  Youth is wasted on the young.
  
  I wish I was there again.....................
  - Calabahn, on 08/18/2008, -0/+4"Youth is wasted on the young."
    
    My Dad used to say that all the time when I was a teenager. I used to reply, "And money's wasted on the old"
    
    Now that I have teenagers it's the same thing. Circle of life.
audiodude34, on 08/17/2008, -14/+1Wow, a screenshot of a craigslist ad. What useful reporting.
- ophello, on 08/18/2008, -0/+7oh well how would you have done it, smartass?
vMsam, on 08/17/2008, -27/+1whats wrong with old people?

oh right! they're ***** slow and smelly.
- ophello, on 08/18/2008, -0/+15whats wrong with you?
  
  oh right! you're an *****.
Vostok, on 08/17/2008, -2/+3It's a sad add but if you're that age and have no one to be with you what kinda of life must you have lived? Either you never had children and all your friends have died, or you never made friends and alienated your family. Very depressing either way.
- CasualReader, on 08/18/2008, -0/+3Maybe all his friends are dead. It's like the old joke. What's great about growing old???? No peer pressure.
- atchon, on 08/18/2008, -0/+0He is 93 chances are most of his friends are dead. Seems like someone in his family is willing to shill out 10,000 to talk with him so doubt he alienated much of his family. Family can't be with a person all the time it would appear to me he has a caring family who wants to keep him happy. Go work at a nursing home people there want to talk to anything that moves.
FullMetalNIN, on 08/17/2008, -4/+9Don't be taken by these sneaky old men. You have to wait for the 73 year old to die in order to cash that $10 000, and it is barely minimum wage.
- Typhoon2009, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1Depending on the state it's well above minimum >.>
- algaeturd, on 08/18/2008, -9/+4Well, here's the deal, *****.
  You're doing something to help someone out in their time of need. This man obviously wants a companion that will help make his days more bearable. What's wrong with doing something that would help someone out even if it didn't pay minimum wage.
  JESUS ***** CHIRIST, YOU ARROGANT *****....don't you remember there was a time when people used to VOLUNTEER to help others that were in need.
  You're a prick. No wonder this country sucks so badly these days. Everyone is like you and every ***** is out to make a million dollars rather than do something good for their soul.
  I hope you die poor and lonely. I really do.
saigumi, on 08/17/2008, -0/+6Haha... wonder if you'd ever see the $$$. If the guy didn't include you like he said he would, you'd be SOL. Basically, you'd have to take his estate to court... but how long do you think it will be locked in probate and do you think you would be able to get your piece of the pie over anyone else he owed when he croaked. Even if you did, it could be years after he even died.
Hyperinsane, on 08/17/2008, -29/+1what a sad miserable old bastard. I sent an email to his address at: gig-796703296@craigslist.org telling him what a sad, decrepit old man he was, and suggested he go and a die in a sewer somewhere. I just can't stand losers with no friends.

I suggest you do the same
- PhrosTT, on 08/18/2008, -1/+20is that a joke?
  
  it's not funny.
  
  i hope you get old and die alone while your kids work desperately to overcome their traumatic childhood.
  - JakeyG14, on 08/18/2008, -1/+4He's being ironic.
- Typhoon2009, on 08/18/2008, -1/+11You must really hate yourself then.
- algaeturd, on 08/18/2008, -2/+4You may have friends (doubtful, as you're a full time digger) but anyone can tell by reading your comment that you're miserable, hateful and hypocritical. You DO find the irony in a old man looking for friends (online) that you think is pathetic while you're writing your opinion (online) and going for much needed approval from your peers?
  You failed, obviously but good try.
  And likely, you'll die old and alone just like this man probably will. But at least this guy will have a paid person sitting around to help him pass the time.
  What will you have? A computer and an small audience of Diggers?
  Now THAT is pathetic.
- BoydRE, on 08/18/2008, -1/+5Dolores?
  
  http://digg.com/odd_stuff/The_World_s_Most_Bitter_ ...
- evanscott07, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1buried/blocked
- aceisstupid, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1I totally emailed him and told him I would be there in a heartbeat if I could and that I'm sorry that depraved, ***** up people such as yourself exist. Do the rest of civilization a favor and go ***** yourself.
jkirk7msa, on 08/18/2008, -0/+7I'd seriously do it if I got paid every two weeks.
- algaeturd, on 08/18/2008, -0/+5I think the caveat is that it would come out of his life insurance and WILLED to you. So it would be an investment more than a job. It would pay off eventually but you'd have to wait and find out how long that would be. Could be next week, could be 10 years or more.
  Kind of makes it interesting.
algaeturd, on 08/18/2008, -1/+9It's sad but it's actually a good idea. You can't buy much with 10 grand anymore as an old person but a young person thinks 10 grand is like a million bucks. It's a sad statement on the current affair of elderly and a nation where old people are living longer than ever....generally alone and depressed and forgotten.
Someone should start a business that does just this all around the country to be paid by wills when the old person dies.
I think it would work.
CAn't take it with you.
- magixx2, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1Pimping with style.
- godseyeview, on 08/18/2008, -2/+1Well, here's the deal, *****.
  You're doing something to help someone out in their time of need. This man obviously wants a companion that will help make his days more bearable. What's wrong with doing something that would help someone out even if it didn't pay minimum wage.
  JESUS ***** CHIRIST, YOU ARROGANT *****....don't you remember there was a time when people used to VOLUNTEER to help others that were in need.
  You're a prick. No wonder this country sucks so badly these days. Everyone is like you and every ***** is out to make a million dollars rather than do something good for their soul.
  I hope you die poor and lonely. I really do.
bobbi21, on 08/18/2008, -0/+8People do this all the time. Usually it's disguised under like a home aid or something like that. My mom does that for some old lady. She drives her to the grocery store and basically just looks after her for most of the day. Helping her open jars or what not. It's basically just keeping her company and being there in case she falls and breaks a hip.
Pretty common thing for people to do
Inaktivist, on 08/18/2008, -0/+0Viral marketing for the... the ummm... the United Notaries Association?
MendotaLee, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1About 8.75 an hour... not bad, but it might get awkward....
ry4nsm1th, on 08/18/2008, -6/+5Lemon party? Uhhh no thanks.
ancalagon73, on 08/18/2008, -3/+4I call fake. No way someone that old is up that late.
mogebier, on 08/18/2008, -9/+4That isn't enough pay to sit and smell an old person and their stale pee smell. Now toss in a gas mask and we can talk.
darkcooger, on 08/18/2008, -0/+3Just because the kids don't come to visit doesn't mean the old person is responsible. It's entirely possible that the kids just suck, despite the best efforts of the parent. Also possible: the geezer has outlived friends and children.
PGPirate, on 08/18/2008, -6/+0mirror?
- btschul, on 08/18/2008, -0/+4The site isn't down.
TheMachine1, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2I assume the 73 year old has a small fixed income and a life insurances policy is why he can not pay now.
eclectro, on 08/18/2008, -0/+7The fact is that old people need caregivers. Some of us in the forum may either become a caregiver or need one at some point. And the *caregiver* is going to need support at some point himself, no one can do it by themselves (though some may be stuck in that scenario). I think that it is a failing of our society that someone has to grovel some change for someone to do it. I would not call this article sad so much as sobering. Dugg.
Mmhmm, on 08/18/2008, -3/+3If you do the math, it turns out to be about $8.74 bucks an hour.

52 weeks * 2 years = 104
104 weeks * 2 days = 208
10000 deadmansmoney / 208 = 48.07 a night.
48.07 deadmansmoney a night / 5.5 hours a night = 8.74
- stretch611, on 08/18/2008, -0/+3What if he lives for 5 or even 10 years after you spend time with him. Is there a clause to adjust the compensation for interest and/or inflation?
- heliox, on 08/18/2008, -1/+1Wow did you figure the math out yourself, or copy it from one of the other earlier posts?
Mike23132, on 08/18/2008, -0/+71: What happens if he dies before your two year commitment...do you get the entire ten thou or do you get a prorated amount?

2: Do people that old stay up to 11:30? If he falls asleep do you have to just sit there while he sleeps?!? That's just creepy...
mentor972, on 08/18/2008, -0/+23"Hey muscly arm? You bring me a paper today?... You like popsicles?... Mmmmmmm."
- linagee, on 08/18/2008, -1/+1I like cake too.
- FlyingPhotog, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2"I've got a quarter in my pocket..."
TheGhostMan, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1Two days a week is good, but who wants to wait 10+ years for their paycheck.
dedknedy, on 08/18/2008, -0/+9Two questions:
1. Is there any touching involved?
2. Can I be drunk, and or high during this?
stretch611, on 08/18/2008, -0/+4Does he own a Wii?
VVCephei, on 08/18/2008, -0/+0awwwh bless the lonely old guy...I hope somebody replied to that request, the guy sure needs company if he's asking on Craigslist.
theaverageidiot, on 08/18/2008, -0/+3The problem is that the ad doesn't say you get the money when the 92-year-old man dies; the dying will part is when the 73-year-old man dies (who posted the ad). So even if somebody does this (for only like $8.74 an hour), it could be many years before you get the money.
- Mithivh, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2And you wonder if the 92-year-old will make it the two years.... :(
oda1, on 08/18/2008, -0/+0aww gee, I done growed up.
sq2shooter, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2Not only do you have to be beyond desperate to do this for $8.74/an hour but you would have to be a financial waterhead to take a job that pays only after 2 years of service.
emkaysmith, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2Well, my father and three of my grandparents stayed in their own homes until their last (brief) hospital stay. My mother and one grandmother died at home in their sleep, both at a pretty advanced age. As a result of NOT having to be institutionalized, I can't recall that any of them were particularly lonely. My paternal grandfather lived to 96 and spent much time reading and corresponding with a large number of people (by handwritten letter). My widowed mother had two Westies to whom she devoted all her time.

"Loneliness" is just another word for "boredom." I'm much more afraid of Alzheimer's than I am of being alone when I'm elderly.
igor8755, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1shocked x_x
muttsuki, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2this...just makes me sad on a bunch of levels...

fake or not...
kevyn, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2what happens after 2 years? surely the person wouldn't just take the money and run? would you stay with him for another 2 years? till he dies? scary commitment...
saralovemuffins, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2That's kinda sad :(
rekrapt, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2There are volunteer organizations that do this sort of stuff for free. Maybe they tried that and the guy is such a jerk that no one will do it anymore. Just a thought...
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