Olympic Tent Village: Behind the Scenes of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics

[blainewiak123]

Nice video. Keep posting more videos.Thanks

[52111centrumcz]

@pbear604 I know you wrote the comment over a year ago but...learn the elementary difference between theory and practice:

practice is when it works and nobody knows why.

theory is when it doesn't work and everyone knows why.

The western world has in the last 10 years joined theory and practice; it's economy doesn't work and nobody knows why.

[DJonX7]

lol i love how it's just natives that are in the streets.... (i actually dont... but...)

[TheExileHouse]

Is just me...or does it sound like Canadian Businessmen and Investors had a bad American upbringing..

Like this all sounds to much like an American Ghetto where the homeless are ignored for profit and capitalist Wall Street...

[myu106]

Give me a break. I work hard and I have to struggle to make a living and live in Metro Vancouver (I cannot afford Vancouver price at all) and buy my own home in suburban area and commute at least three hours per day;

You screw yourself and mess up your life and then you are privileged to live here for "free" or "cheap" and let me pay for you.

[ralphyization]

Jealousy will get you every where. Nothing Canadian television hasn;t already covered. We've already heard about that through Canadian T. V., There was a huge coverageon tv about that. , but at the same time, give us our "props" We won the podium!!OHH-AHHHH

[DarthSchwartz]

Indians with no job wanting handouts and free housing is nothing new in Canada.

[worldli]

@pbear604 And you think I am a hypocrite? ("Anyways, I'm sure you're off travelling somewhere but don't forget to think about the homeless and downtrodden in Vancouver while you fly off to somewhere hot and sunny...hypocrite much?") Actually, I am in Cambridge England, shooting a conference of Nobel laureates in economics getting together to change the free-market thinking that has eliminated so much wealth from the world in the recession. So if I'm a hypocrite for doing what I love, then yes.

[worldli]

@pbear604 By the way, I still get sent notices when you comment on my video and then remove the comments. What exactly is the "lifestyle of addiction?"

[worldli]

@pbear604 See comment below. There are many shades of capitalism. The current shade (free market economics) has gotten us into the global financial meltdown. The free market does not work. Banks are giving out billions in bonuses and companies are making billions in profit - while the average person can't get a job and has lost 50% or more of their life savings. How is it promoting freedom to live when the decisions of a greedy elite affect the normal person's agency to life a wealthy life?

[worldli]

@pbear604 See comment below. There are many shades of capitalism. The current shade (free market economics) has gotten us into the global financial meltdown. The free market does not work. Banks are giving out billions in bonuses and companies are making billions in profit - while the average person can't get a job and has lost 50% or more of their life savings. How is it promoting freedom to live when the decisions of a greedy elite affect the normal person's agency to life a wealthy life?

[worldli]

@pbear604 I believe in capitalism, but not the current form of free-market free-for-all that prizes profits about all else. I believe in socially conscious capitalism, triple bottom-line thinking and sustainable living in all facets of life. I believe that we can have an abundant existence for all, without having to make environmental or social sacrifices. I believe in sharing the wonder of the world through video and exposing people to diverse perspectives. Don't be so quick to judge.

[worldli]

@pbear604 Nope you didn't say it but you sure suggested it! "Go on keep traveling the world, making 'news videos'" is a pretty harsh critique of what I do with my life. Have you even watched any of my other videos?

[risapizza726]

Check out my YouTube remix response to Vancouver Winter Olympic spending and the actuality of the effects of that spending. It was for a University Seminar project, and feedback needs to be included in the report! All constuctive criticism and comments are welcome, thank you. Search "Response to Vancouver Olympics 2010"

[worldli]

@pbear604 And you think the superficial sensationalistic videos that you see on your local news are better than mine?

[worldli]

@pbear604 This is a far more complicated argument then "no free handouts" or "they are just buying drugs with the money." There is no one solution, and the reality of capitalism is that it thrives on increasing the distance between the haves and have-nots - that is its whole function. I don't see how spending tens of billions of dollars on stadiums branded by Coke and McDonald's are doing anything to better these people's lives - or yours, for that matter.

[ld871111]

Homeless pricks demanding free stuff again, how surprising. Maybe I should ask the government to give me free house and free food for the rest of my life while working taxpayers foot the bill. While I'm at it, maybe free needles to shoot up on crack........oh wait.

[worldli]

@ld871111 Everyone is entitled to their perspective, and I appreciate yours.

[worldli]

I don't think they are asking for a handout, I think they are asking for some humanity amidst the biggest branding machine in the world - the Olympics.

[joshywashington]

Love this one, thank you for contributing your talent to MatadorTV...! Let's collab?

[worldli]

Let do something, and do it soooon!

[mxpxdudeski]

This is the same problem in any city that hosts summer or winter olympics.  Good on ya for trying to expose a beautiful city but mission failed asshole.

[worldli]

Yeah, they displaced over 600,000 people in Beijing, and I never heard a thing about it! The freedom of press is the best thing about the western world - at least I was able to cover the story!

[moneynest]

I understand where you're coming from because the gov is spending so much on the olympics and these people obviously need it more. But that being said, I don't think it is the governments job to take care of these people, that should be left up to family, friends, churches and charitable organizations. They can also do a much better job.

[worldli]

I understand that perspective. But in the end, it is all of society that will end up suffering because we are only as strong as our weakest.  As the Iroquis Indians said, and I paraphrase from Seventh Generation, "We must consider the impact of every one of our decisions on the seven generations to come." I am pretty sure only the short-term benefit of the Olympics were considered - these are people too.

[jjt671]

Got to love every person talking was a native it not like you get everything already.

Poor poor indians

[worldli]

What do you mean?

[Cvillemac]

Great piece, it is good to see the other side of the Olympics. The Chinese people made huge sacrifices to host the summer games. Many lost there homes and had little say in the matter.

[worldli]

I can only imagine what went on to get Beijing ready for the Olympics. Sigh. It's hard to let go of things that are out of your control, but I feel that I can at least make sure the voices are documented...

[Cvillemac]

I was Beijing in April 2007. They were bulldozing an ancient quarter of the city to make room for glitzy tourist hotels for the games.  Something like 600,000 people got displaced without any consultation.

[worldli]

That is one of the big advantages of communism: you just do what you want to whomever you want - as long as it serves the master plan.

[Cvillemac]

yep...

[JohnnyHorton]

The corporations have stolen everything so there's nothing left for the rest of the people. Thanks for sharing. Way to go Canada! :-(

[worldli]

The Olympics, McDonald's, Samsung and Coca-Cola - the world's biggest brands. I am glad that we love athletes, I just wonder if the "purity of the virgin flame from Greece" has lost its purity and been co-opted by the profit-seekers.

[antonseim]

Really nice piece. Thanks for covering it!

[worldli]

Thanks for watching it!

[fariethesun]

Your great film opened our eyes for the issues of homeless beside the glamor of the Olympic Games in Vancouver. I don't understand why homeless people get no work. This would be the first step to help them out of this situation. In Germany it is the same. And I agree with this... "Teach a man to fish, and feed him forever."

More than 5* + faved

Peace, Heidi

[ctg2866]

You can't expect anything to change by giving handouts to people. Somewhere you have to take responsibility into your own hands. Start somewhere, a factory, sweeping, shoveling snow, washing cars, offering to help others in need. Thats how you get connections and show initiative, and get a job and a new start on life. Try surviving in a poor country, where there are no options at all.

[worldli]

I think the term "handout" is such a vague and inappropriate term. What does it really mean? I don't think you give anyone anything for free - you provide them the tools they need to succeed, and not just give them piecemeal handouts. Housing, job training, confidence training, financial training - it takes a lot to re-enter into society. The problem is that people take it problem by problem, rather than treating the whole. A holistic approach is far better.

[isowar]

The importance of this video is not diminished by the detractors who are so very literate that they cannot form a sentence without the f-word. Rather like some of our politicians. How sad.

[worldli]

Thanks for the great comment

[B0rnAl0neDieAl0ne]

Housing is a right? Are you kidding me? That kind of thinking will give everyone public housing..... we all know how good those places are.

[worldli]

@B0rnAl0neDieAl0ne Isn't some kind of housing better than no kind of housing? How is someone supposed to get a job and re-enter society if they don't even have an address to put down on a job application?

[B0rnAl0neDieAl0ne]

@worldli I didn't know u needed a home address to have a job? Maybe that needs to be scrapped

[worldli]

Have you never filled out a job application? It usually follows right after your name and phone number...what are you going to write "the corner of 5th and Watt?" No one wants to hire a homeless person. Give them a home, and then they have a chance to feel "normal" again.

[B0rnAl0neDieAl0ne]

@worldli To tell you the truth i have never had a job in my life. But when i was a kid i had to live out of car with my family noone gave us a free home. i don't think you should be using others peoples money to pay for that anyways. a free home for everyone will make alot of people lazy aswell. if i can get a free house i won't have to worry about working again. just park my ass in a free house where the government will pay for my food. What would that do to the work ethics of so many?

[B0rnAl0neDieAl0ne]

@worldli better yet what would that do to the economy i agree with you that the Canadians spent a ridiculous sum for the olympics that could have been used other wise.

[worldli]

If you look at the cost of homelessness, it is far more than it would cost in the long-term to actually help them. "Teach a man to fish, and feed him forever." You have to help people to help themselves sometimes - it doesn't mean putting a silver spoon in their mouths, it means giving people equal access to the resources needed to be a successful citizen in the modern world: food, clothing shelter, job skills, computer skills, and an ability to make an impact on the world around you.

[liveitoutloud]

@worldli Canada has provided plenty of resources, especially to aboriginal Canadians. When resources are provided (First Nations University of Canada for example), they usually end up being compromised by aboriginal leaders, the people who are supposed to help their people. So when this fails, what can we try next to "teach a man to fish"?

[worldli]

I think there are several issues here: land rights, homelessness, education, substance abuse. There is never a cure-all; we need to look for bright spots and replicate things that are working and systems that are already helping people - instead of just putting Band-Aids on problems.

Peter's land was taken over by a uranium company and people in his tribe began to get cancer and die. He chose to be homeless, rather than be employed by the company that is killing his people. I dont blame him.

[hibbibums]

Goodness this is horrible! How are ways we can help them?

[worldli]

Scrub to the end of the video, and there is a website that will tell you how to help! Thanks for watching, please share!

[Shellianne]

THANK YOU, Nic, for making this video. I've shared it with all my friends (Canadians). We've been watching for the MainStream media to report on this & there has not been one word - even from Canadian media. Of course, the IOC has such repressive rules about what can be said. You rock, & we are grateful!

[worldli]

Thank you so much! I think it is a story that needs telling, so I am happy to be among those telling it!

Please share it especially with anyone who blogs, as that will help the video rise up in search rankings. Cheeers!

[dkorleone]

A real disaster -- shame on Canada for waging genocide on First Nations communities. People should rise up over that, instead of a few broken store window... belonging to the colonialist Hudson Bay Company.

[natedawg3654]

You morons realize that homeless from across Canada migrate to Vancouver for it's heroin right?

Why are these people entitled to our tax money. No matter how much you give there will never be a return. When someone's has such fundamental problems that they can't maintain a residence no amount of government help is going to fix their lives. I payed my way through school and feel absolutely no obligation to help people who don't try to help themselves.

[dodgesxrt]

Agreed. They can just as easily sling coffees at Tim Hortons but they chose to be lazy and live on the streets. Blame Canada? What are they doing to help themselves? Sweet fuck nothing. I say the government pays to get them the fuck out of East Hastings cuz it's a fuckin eye sore. Fuck them

[bornagain66]

It's horrible. How can people live with themselves and buy all that crap when people are starving and have no homes, right here in Vancouver. Disgusting.

[worldli]

I felt the same way. I had never been to an Olympics before, and it seemed to me that it has just become another globalized mega-brand more concerned with image than impact.

[Orasea]

Homelessness has tripled???? the lady is right--that's a real disaster.

[worldli]

It's a total disaster. And so unfortunate when you see all the people sleeping in great hotels and the Olympic Village just across the water - athletes in brand-new condos.