there's some loose ends here that suggest it was orchestrated. two hours is a long time for a kid dressed like that in that weather. that's a case of hypothermia, so he likely wasn't there that long. and, whether the guy they picked was actually homeless or not, he's there earlier in the frame. my guess is that the thing was probably set up, and there isn't more footage than was uploaded.

that said...

i would've stopped. and i know i would've stopped because i have stopped. but, the message they're sending is very wrong. this isn't the kind of thing that well-meaning individuals can do anything about. i say i would have stopped, and i would have, but it would have been to try and figure out why he's on the street rather than in a shelter and to get him directions to somewhere else.

i think it's important that the issue has attention drawn to it. with the current economic and political status quo, we have millions of homeless people and millions of empty houses. but it's equally important not to trick ourselves into thinking that this is an issue of "goodwill" or that it can be solved through acts of kindness or charitable donations. giving the homeless guy $1000 dollars doesn't actually solve anything. this is a systemic economic issue, and it requires political solutions.

i've stopped on the street more than once to give people directions to the welfare office, and talk about possibly getting on disability for mental issues. i've been told flat out that it's not enough for an addiction, which is sad, but the reality. but, usually, people aren't aware that they have systemic options.

a kid that age should be helped to child welfare services; you shouldn't toss quarters at him. it's not a tale of two fucking cities out there. we're a little past that.