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"In our research, we have found that financial dependence is associated with a lack of passion, creativity and drive, and is also associated with feelings of re

"In our research, we have found that financial dependence is associated with a lack of passion, creativity and drive, and is also associated with feelings of resentment towards whomever controls the purse strings. Money is a powerful reinforcer of behavior, and when it is given freely and is not attached to desired behaviors, it can reinforce a lack of initiative or drive." That right there is currently my biggest concern about universal basic income. It might work for a generation, but it's possible that many people who grow up in a culture where work is unnecessary will fail to develop the ambition and work ethic required to be productive. That said, I'll have to look more into this research that they speak of before I come to conclusions.

pmoriarty 10y ago
I am not convinced that the economic whip is the only means we have of dealing with lack of passion, creativity and drive. I would be interested to know if the authors of the study controlled for education. The United States has a really horrible K-12 education system overall, and it's well known that the wealthy (a tiny minority) have disproportionate access to great education, while the poor (the overwhelming majority) tend to have poor education. Children could be taught to be more creative and to recognize that there is much to value in life, and their passions could be nurtured without requiring them to scramble just to survive. I am reminded of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.[1] The lower, more fundamental needs need to be met in order for the higher needs to become relevant. [1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs
zzalpha 10y ago
That right there is currently my biggest concern about universal basic income. It might work for a generation, but it's possible that many people who grow up in a cultured where work is unnecessary will fail to develop the ambition and work ethic required to be productive. There's a huge difference between UBI and being a trust fund kid. The latter has the income to have literally anything they want. There is no need to push for more. The former is going to live a basic life, by definition. If they want more, they'll have to work for it.

pmoriarty 10y ago

I am not convinced that the economic whip is the only means we have of dealing with lack of passion, creativity and drive. I would be interested to know if the authors of the study controlled for education. The United States has a really horrible K-12 education system overall, and it's well known that the wealthy (a tiny minority) have disproportionate access to great education, while the poor (the overwhelming majority) tend to have poor education. Children could be taught to be more creative and to recognize that there is much to value in life, and their passions could be nurtured without requiring them to scramble just to survive. I am reminded of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.[1] The lower, more fundamental needs need to be met in order for the higher needs to become relevant. [1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs

zzalpha 10y ago

That right there is currently my biggest concern about universal basic income. It might work for a generation, but it's possible that many people who grow up in a cultured where work is unnecessary will fail to develop the ambition and work ethic required to be productive. There's a huge difference between UBI and being a trust fund kid. The latter has the income to have literally anything they want. There is no need to push for more. The former is going to live a basic life, by definition. If they want more, they'll have to work for it.