Hobo 2.0

If it don't fit in the backpack, it don't fit.

We're coming upon a new era of the sophisticated hobo, home is where he stands, money's not his concern or barrier, and he may just run a company or two. His mailing address ends in @gmail.com, his home phone rings in his pocket, and his commute to work involves finding a wall outlet, sometimes. His kitchen has everything from Big Macs to filet mignon, he'll sleep on a sandy beach, in a hotel suite, or whatever friends place he may find himself.

What's in his pockets, what's in that bag? Of course there's a credit card, id, a laptop, and a phone. Hobo 2.0 doesn't stink, he's got deodorant, shampoo, soap, a toothbrush - all the basic hygiene necessities. Clothing? Besides what he's wearing, he's got a couple shirts, some boxers and socks, and maybe a pair of shorts - all of which he washes or replaces periodically, whichever is more convenient.

The world is his playground. Waking up to eggs, bacon, and toast after a night of drinking in Maryland at his new friends house, he gets a call from another girl he hasn't seen since high school who's living in California. Dinner tonight? Sure, he'll hop the next plane out, getting some work done on the flight over. On that flight he meets the owner of a well known cruise line, and it looks like he just scored free lodging sailing around just for cleaning some dishes after meal times. He better give his hobo buddies a call, Hobo 2.0 moves in small groups, but sometimes they get split up for a few days or weeks - he has to get them in on this one though.

There's no freedom like that of this new breed of hobo. The hobo is not defined by his travelling about, but his freedom to do so when the moment calls for it, and a palette wide enough for the world. Will he ever settle down? That all depends on the moment.