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This points out another issue with providing basic income -- while basic income is preferable to just letting people starve and probably better than expensive-t

This points out another issue with providing basic income -- while basic income is preferable to just letting people starve and probably better than expensive-to-administer welfare programs, it does not provide a substitute source for people's self worth. For many people, getting paid is literally society's signal to them that what they do every day is worthwhile and necessary.

smhg 10y ago
I don't understand why you would require UBI to provide people's self worth. Some picture UBI to be this utopia that solves everything. Please evaluate it based on being an improvement (however small) to the current system. Also, playing videogames all day is an often heard scenario with UBI. But as the article states, this seems to happen now too. The question is: if it would be implemented, and after the dust settles, will so many more people be unproductive (in the narrowest sense possible)?
GFischer 10y ago
That's something I took away from the article: video games (and games in general) actually make people feel happier and worthy (although it's a "fake" accomplishment). I personally experienced that, during a "down" period, I took a lot of solace in games (particularly M:TG), getting some accomplishments there (national vice champion) made me feel less worthless. But it also made me pursue goals that weren't in my own best interests in the long term and neglect more important things. Overall, I'm glad I quit, since an unhealthy amount of time spent on games eats up on time that can be spent on skills that are valued by society, and I get obsessed very easily. Your point about getting paid as a status signal also rings with stuff like NBA stars arguing about getting paid less than X player, even though they're both extremely well paid, since it signals a preference. And lots of studies about fairness and wages.

smhg 10y ago

I don't understand why you would require UBI to provide people's self worth. Some picture UBI to be this utopia that solves everything. Please evaluate it based on being an improvement (however small) to the current system. Also, playing videogames all day is an often heard scenario with UBI. But as the article states, this seems to happen now too. The question is: if it would be implemented, and after the dust settles, will so many more people be unproductive (in the narrowest sense possible)?

GFischer 10y ago

That's something I took away from the article: video games (and games in general) actually make people feel happier and worthy (although it's a "fake" accomplishment). I personally experienced that, during a "down" period, I took a lot of solace in games (particularly M:TG), getting some accomplishments there (national vice champion) made me feel less worthless. But it also made me pursue goals that weren't in my own best interests in the long term and neglect more important things. Overall, I'm glad I quit, since an unhealthy amount of time spent on games eats up on time that can be spent on skills that are valued by society, and I get obsessed very easily. Your point about getting paid as a status signal also rings with stuff like NBA stars arguing about getting paid less than X player, even though they're both extremely well paid, since it signals a preference. And lots of studies about fairness and wages.