Speaking of nomads, I just noticed this this article from the SF Chronicle about 'neo-bedouins,' officeless independent contractors in San Francisco who move from coffeehouse to coffeehouse with cell phones and laptops in tow. Non-corporate bedouins, if you will.

There are also anti-corporate bedouins: phrogs, or phroggers. The technical definition of phrogging is "To sneak into a house and live among its occupants without their knowledge." There is a fascinating series of videos at livingwithstrangers.com, logging the experiences of two women staying in a stranger's house for five days. Their intent is to live beneath the radar of the economic system, and they explain that phrogs take advantage of houses with vacant rooms and abundant hiding places. They try to be "invisible roommates" and are careful not to break or take anything (aside from food).

The women in the videos are college-educated and say they have intentionally turned away from the rigidity of the 9-5 working world. Instead of getting entry-level jobs like most college grads, they exist in the shadows of others' lives. Meanwhile, they pass the time by playing cards, reading, talking, and learning as much as they can about the owners of the houses they inhabit.

There are diverse reactions to the videos. Some say they are fake, others believe the story. Some say the women should have been found and shot, others say they should be tracked down and put in jail. I think the responses are so vehement because the idea of phrogging undermines the American dream. We're taught that if we work hard enough we can buy a house of our own, and "phrogs" get to enjoy the same comforts for free. I say the whole 'rugged individualism' thing needs to be taken down a few notches. In the U.S. it's unheard-of for homeowners to invite strangers to stay for a few days. In some other countries, it isn't nearly so unusual. So-called phrogging wouldn't exist or wouldn't need to exist if people with large houses shared their space once in a while. Let a few kids camp out in the basement! Okay, make sure they're not criminals on the run first, but let them stay.