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I wonder if asking such question (and inspecting answers given) is not enough to refute the idea behind basic income - that it allows people to retrain into the

I wonder if asking such question (and inspecting answers given) is not enough to refute the idea behind basic income - that it allows people to retrain into their desired profession, thus making the society more productive. Seeing that most people desire only a relatively small subset of careers (and almost no one want to be for example a dentist, an accountant, not to mention telemarketer or toilet cleaner), I don't think it's going to work.

anotherarray 10y ago
Wrong. Basic income doesn't end supply and demand of labor. In other words, if all you want is money, you'll still perform these jobs.
harterrt 10y ago
Hmm, that's really interesting - "toilet cleaners" in particular stuck out in my mind. There will still be folks doing this job, but I imagine they'll be paid more. Money becomes less valuable the more you have. For example, your first $1000 dollars buys food and shelter, while your next $1000 buys nice food and a bigger house. With BI, everyone should have the basics covered so any earned income will buy luxuries.
jogjayr 10y ago
> Seeing that most people desire only a relatively small subset of careers (and almost no one want to be for example a dentist, an accountant, not to mention telemarketer or toilet cleaner), I don't think it's going to work. Or...these careers would either pay a lot more (wouldn't begrudge toilet cleaners making more money), eventually be found unnecessary or uneconomical and go away (no more telemarketers?) or be automated away. That doesn't sound like an entirely bad outcome. Besides you'd be surprised how many people genuinely want to be dentists or accountants; those careers may not be for you but I'm sure many dentists and accountants enjoy their work.
div0 10y ago
Interestingly I actually want to be a bathroom cleaner. Nothing dismays me more than walking into a dirty bathroom.
- taway_1212 10y ago
  Would you be happy if your days were filled with the smell of urine, shit and chemicals (used for cleaning)?

anotherarray 10y ago

Wrong. Basic income doesn't end supply and demand of labor. In other words, if all you want is money, you'll still perform these jobs.

harterrt 10y ago

Hmm, that's really interesting - "toilet cleaners" in particular stuck out in my mind. There will still be folks doing this job, but I imagine they'll be paid more. Money becomes less valuable the more you have. For example, your first $1000 dollars buys food and shelter, while your next $1000 buys nice food and a bigger house. With BI, everyone should have the basics covered so any earned income will buy luxuries.

jogjayr 10y ago

> Seeing that most people desire only a relatively small subset of careers (and almost no one want to be for example a dentist, an accountant, not to mention telemarketer or toilet cleaner), I don't think it's going to work. Or...these careers would either pay a lot more (wouldn't begrudge toilet cleaners making more money), eventually be found unnecessary or uneconomical and go away (no more telemarketers?) or be automated away. That doesn't sound like an entirely bad outcome. Besides you'd be surprised how many people genuinely want to be dentists or accountants; those careers may not be for you but I'm sure many dentists and accountants enjoy their work.

div0 10y ago

Interestingly I actually want to be a bathroom cleaner. Nothing dismays me more than walking into a dirty bathroom.

taway_1212 10y ago
Would you be happy if your days were filled with the smell of urine, shit and chemicals (used for cleaning)?