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I think it makes sense to have something other than a pure universal basic income for redistribution of wealth. You want to design an incentive based system to

I think it makes sense to have something other than a pure universal basic income for redistribution of wealth. You want to design an incentive based system to encourage people to contribute to their community, pursue higher education and learning, as well as work. Some kind of income supplement if you work at least 15 hours per week makes sense, along with a bonus for 'community contribution' of some kind. It makes sense to reduce the overall amount worked, but to still encourage work, and to improve the skillset of workers. Pure universal basic income has dubious incentives. It's a solution, but I don't think it's close to the best one. Of course, any system, including the idea I'm proposing will be gamed, and have unfortunate side effects from its policies.

deleted 9y ago
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vonnik 9y ago
UBI is basically a direct cash transfer, which is a form of aid that's been studied in the developing world for many years. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-39038402 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-39038402 It has many benefits, including its simplicity. Sure, you could create a framework of incentives and enforcement to make sure only certain people get cash for doing certain things, but those structures will absorb money that might have otherwise gone to the poor. The whole story of international aid, and of UBI if it's done wrong, is a story of propping up inefficient bureaucracies and giving money to aid workers instead of the people who were meant to benefit.
ckocagil 9y ago
Contribute how? In the long run all jobs will disappear. The latest job to become obsolete will be scientific research.
- croon 9y ago
  Or artists, or prostitutes, or athletes.
visarga 9y ago
> It makes sense to reduce the overall amount worked, but to still encourage work, and to improve the skillset of workers. You're right, just because robots can automatize production doesn't mean we're left with nothing to do. We still have a job - taking care of ourselves, our families and communities. A jobless person might be a doctor, an engineer, a farmer or a teacher by training. They don't automatically become stupid by being jobless. They have many needs to fulfill and little money, but lots of time. So they will need to become more self reliant. The life of a community can be self reliant in many ways - a community could cultivate its own food, build houses, primary medical care, kindergarten and primary school education, install solar panels, drill for water, repair and maintenance for various devices - all of these are needs of local people that can be solved by local work. If, on top of self reliance, people receive an UBI, it will make it count for so much more, and they won't be just idling around all day long. There is a whole economy that can exist just by providing services to each other.

deleted 9y ago

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vonnik 9y ago

UBI is basically a direct cash transfer, which is a form of aid that's been studied in the developing world for many years. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-39038402 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-39038402 It has many benefits, including its simplicity. Sure, you could create a framework of incentives and enforcement to make sure only certain people get cash for doing certain things, but those structures will absorb money that might have otherwise gone to the poor. The whole story of international aid, and of UBI if it's done wrong, is a story of propping up inefficient bureaucracies and giving money to aid workers instead of the people who were meant to benefit.

ckocagil 9y ago

Contribute how? In the long run all jobs will disappear. The latest job to become obsolete will be scientific research.

croon 9y ago
Or artists, or prostitutes, or athletes.

visarga 9y ago

> It makes sense to reduce the overall amount worked, but to still encourage work, and to improve the skillset of workers. You're right, just because robots can automatize production doesn't mean we're left with nothing to do. We still have a job - taking care of ourselves, our families and communities. A jobless person might be a doctor, an engineer, a farmer or a teacher by training. They don't automatically become stupid by being jobless. They have many needs to fulfill and little money, but lots of time. So they will need to become more self reliant. The life of a community can be self reliant in many ways - a community could cultivate its own food, build houses, primary medical care, kindergarten and primary school education, install solar panels, drill for water, repair and maintenance for various devices - all of these are needs of local people that can be solved by local work. If, on top of self reliance, people receive an UBI, it will make it count for so much more, and they won't be just idling around all day long. There is a whole economy that can exist just by providing services to each other.