Discuss Craig Childs' Dec. 3 Op-Ed article

I am a scavenger, too. I drive the alleys after weekends to see what people have put back there to go with the trash. It's legit and "legal" where I live now to take anything you find in the alley right of way! But I ask myself, what do I need all those stair risers and boards for? I know what to do with the old oak table that needs some work! But when does scavenging become hoarding? --mindymac

Mindy Machanic @ 8:59 PM PST, Dec 3, 2008

Growing up in Detroit before it went to Hell I took naturally to 'Garbage Picking'In the '50s and '60s there were few Gems to be found Now however I'm appalled when I drive down the street on Rubbish Day. Seeing the things people dispose of rather than give away or recycle. Two years ago I found a 19" Samsung LCD monitor at my Reycling Center.I took it home dusted it off hooked it up and voila it has performed flawlessly ever since. Go figure!

D.M. Dodd @ 4:11 PM PST, Dec 3, 2008

I have long suffered the criticism of others for being a scavenger. But who is it they come, in a panic, to when they need some thing-a-jig or gizmo to rescue them in an emergency? So many occupations suffer from unfortunate name identity. I have chosen a new one as a way of improving my image. I now call myself an "urban prospector"

Bob Krohn @ 3:48 PM PST, Dec 3, 2008

My nephew who lives in northern Spain says that in his district scavenging is made legit on one evening every week. You can put any unwanted items out on the street for others to scavenge and in the early hours of the following morning, the dumper truck comes and takes anything that's left. Of course, the well-off districts make the most popular scavenging areas and get very busy on their alloted scavenging nights.

Rosie Dorey @ 3:28 PM PST, Dec 3, 2008

As a college student in the Pacific Northwest, dumpstering is a way of life. Living on around $5 a month for food brings you to the conclusion that one can live quite well on practically nothing. As funding is cut for institutions and college costs more and more, lower class college students like myself will find dumpstering to be a way of surviving the times.

Jared Tarr @ 1:28 PM PST, Dec 3, 2008

Just a little bit more of reduce, reuse, recycle! On the streets of Los Angeles, on any given Saturday, one can find amazing items at a low price or even free. Maybe that's better and more interesting than something made overseas by low-wage or slave labor, shipped using polluting and expensive fossil fuels.

Sandie Richards @ 11:51 AM PST, Dec 3, 2008

I too, am somewhat of a scavenger. I get a lot of critisism for picking up things, even called a Pack Rat. I made a lot of money from retreiving aluminum cans fron dumpsters. i am also a Prospector, I like looking for Gold and Silver.I also like to Fish, avidly. I work very hard Fishing.I've found a lot of good stuff poking around in the dirt, lots of old coins. So, I'm proud to know that their are a lot of Respectable Scavengers out there. It would be very sad if life got so bad that cime would infiltrate into this form of Art. GOD Bless All

Billy Mills @ 11:34 AM PST, Dec 3, 2008

It's treasure hunting! Back in 1987, my 12 year old cousin was aghast when I slowed to take closer inspection of the remains on a hotel room tray in the hallway, searching for honey and jam packets. It was so wasteful just sitting there waiting to be discarded! She yanked me away with a yelling whisper, "don't be a bag lady! I, for infamy aquired the moniker of "Rich Bag Lady". I still smile deeply at the notion... Respectable citizen? Ah yes, the community (and I) would certainly agree I am. But scavenging treasure hunter? Indeed, and always! Thank you for elevating this time honored skill!

T melynkov-Ackerman @ 8:36 AM PST, Dec 3, 2008

I share your passion for the abandoned and understand completely. As a mixed-media artist, I find my creative materials anywhere I can. From thrift stores to what I call roadkill--metallic rejects, beautifully rusted and flattened. There is a fascinating thrill to turning an overflatulant society's leftovers into something unique, beautiful and valuable again.

Kt Green @ 7:45 AM PST, Dec 3, 2008