[Tainan]

Interesting.
I'm not exactly sure what dots Greenberg is trying to connect with this piece.
Where I live, Tainan, Taiwan ROC, there is a lively group known as "recycle Amahs" who devote their time to scrounging through trash and pulling out the recyclable pieces for cash redemption at gov't funded points.
This includes newspaper, cardboard, plastic bottles and metal cans.
This allows them to A) make money and B) pull these items out for recycling.C) be a part of a society that largely does not want to think about the elderly and their monetary needs.

This is very important in a society which does not offer a substantial form of "social security" for the elderly.
And, it also allows many of these people to remain as an active and lively part of the society.

While I am certain that many would prefer not to have to do this to provide for their life costs; it does provide many of them with a valid reason to get up and do something each day.

[Louis Foxwell]

My take is Daniel is belittling the romanticization of grinding poverty.