I remember a story about a guy begging in Adelaide in Australia at the train station - playing a broken keyboard. Apparently, he was making over 100K a year (25 years ago). There are gangs of Romani (gypsy) beggars here, and there are images of them changing clothes at the end of their shift and getting into Mercedes. For some, it is a business model.
I'd like to think if I had to start over with nothing I would try to find some kind of commune or community where I could actually be doing something.
Me too. I think this is a big part of dropping out of society - people not making meaning and purpose in their life.
The problem is, if you are joining a community of individuals is that really dropping out of society or just trading one society for another? I've read about people who busk in Times Square New York that make tons of money. It's pretty crazy.