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Yes, it's almost definitely not showing off - though it may appear that way to outsiders. My understanding is that, as you observe, with labour being so cheap
by Jedd 11y ago
Yes, it's almost definitely not showing off - though it may appear that way to outsiders.
My understanding is that, as you observe, with labour being so cheap and a culture that values inclusiveness, this is the obvious course of action. In lots of non-western societies westerners will see inefficiencies and opportunities to replace human labour with fewer and better trained staff, or automated / mechanised systems. But this is to miss the point.
The way I interpret it is a form of UBI - everyone(ish) has an opportunity for a modicum of income, with an underlying tacit agreement.
- aianus 11y agoThe difference between this and UBI is that these people have no time or opportunity to explore and possibly learn how to do something progressive. It's a gross waste of human potential.
- Jedd 11y agoI totally agree with the sentiment, but remember that for each of us, as we look at other people(s) there's a breathtaking number of activities that we would consider wasteful. While I am not a huge fan of cultural relativism, I appreciate that there may be some validity in considering such things through that lens. Though it may just be hopefully healthy self-doubt. Academic exercise -- what differences would you imagine for transition to a UBI between, say, India with this kind of social norm, the UK or AU (as examples with a half-way decent welfare and some 'work for unemployment benefits' programmes), and the USA or Singapore (again as examples, with extremely modest welfare arrangements)?