Comments on DONDEQUIERA: Is ignorance bliss? A visit to the pulguero.

To avoid all these difficult dilemmas, I practice ...

2009-03-17T05:39:00.000-04:30

To avoid all these difficult dilemmas, I practice horticulture, not like people in Puntoverde, a sort of "Animal Farm" farm by George Orwell, project..Meaningless
and lame concept...

Setting trends, you are welcome
to http://endemismotrasnochado.blogspot.com/

There have already been at least two raids that I ...

2009-03-10T14:10:18.785-04:30

There have already been at least two raids that I can remember. I was pretty surprised to see anyone taking the risk. I guess the thought of going to pound-you-in-the ass prison doesn't represent enough of a threat to convince them it's not worth the money.

On one hand, I see your point, their is a bonafide need that is filled by parts of the underground economy. But the other hand is rubbing aspercream on my nuts because they're raw from being chafed by the magnitude of this problem.

Gil's right, this wouldn't be as big of a problem, if it was just as easy to establish a legitimate business as it was to setup an underground one.

But I'm not convinced. One of the many observations that I've had confirmed by family and friends is that Puerto Ricans like to get away with things. If there is a way to circumvent some system, leave it to the genius of someone to figure it out. I guess it comes down to, if you believe that, left to his own devices, how many people will "do the right thing."

Q: "Does a knock off t-shirt really medicate the brain that much?"
A: "their is a war going on for you mind!" Flobots - http://www.flobots.com/

If the MPAA/RIAA finds out about those copied DVDs...

2009-03-10T10:55:00.000-04:30

If the MPAA/RIAA finds out about those copied DVDs/CDs at the "pulguero", they'll take an interest. Those guys don't sit on their hands. Perhaps Puerto Rico might even get a little more face time on CNN, other than a 45 sec blip about Fortuno announcing it's bankruptcy.

Does the underground market really have to be all about jewelry and clothing? Does a knock off t-shirt really medicate the brain that much; enough to get through the day?

The Jenius mentioned a barber who had a make shift setup at one market. I was impressed by that, as I am by the hardworking fruit and vegetable vendors, and even the guys selling bottled water at intersections. Food, water, essential well being is what people should focus on, not junk merchandise. Many of those knock-offs were made in China too, no doubt.

How about a services market instead? Hemming, framing, cermamic or wood object repairs, laptop servicing, IPOD song loading, letter/resume writing, sending for a credit report, bicycle oiling/tuning, eye glass repair, camera to DVD transfer service, posting online ads, soliciting business for external services (cleaning, landscaping, construction), creating/printing custom kid's birthday invitations, taking blood pressure/sugar readings (cuidado), engraving, photographing people/objects, etc.