I would call it a comeback story with a happy ending, as I got to semi-retire at 31 in a beautiful place. The thing is I know I was able to do this because of t

I would call it a comeback story with a happy ending, as I got to semi-retire at 31 in a beautiful place. The thing is I know I was able to do this because of the wealth effect, and not because I am personally better or more deserving. That's a point that many well off people miss. The experience gave me insight and empathy. I really learned how the other half live. I will never be a poverty scold because of it. I posted the story because I think your spreading incorrect information. It's not easy to be public about money troubles, something I think hurts workers and benefits the capitalist class. I read your blog post for the second time (saw it on HN before) just now and I still don't see the mechanism by which people can choose to receive 22,000 per year by not working. Has UBI been instituted without my knowledge? For what must one apply to make the rational decision to not work. Update to reply: Ok so I read the paper, it says exactly what I state in other comments. If your not going to work you better be in a protected group. The paper lists 5 means tested transfer programs Temporary assistance for needy families - this is only for people with kids and mostly single mothers SNAP or food stamps - which isn't enough to survive off of unless your pancreas handles carbs really well Section 8 housing - you can get on a wait list or maybe find a landlord willing to deal with you Other than that it lists Ss disability : you have to be disabled or severely mentally ill Ss. You have to be over 65 Pell grants - students only So that's it. So tell me how does a 35 year old non disabled man or woman with no kids make the rational choice to not work? Even with subsidized housing and food and Healthcare they would still need spending money. I'm telling you that there's a lot of people that get by with work in the informal economy and that isn't accounted for in those BLS stats. You are right about western poverty if we tall about germany, but not us, unless you are in a protected group.