4 ms·

I'd assume that a UBI study like this would start with having people suddenly not being forced to work to survive, or do anything for that matter, while looking

I'd assume that a UBI study like this would start with having people suddenly not being forced to work to survive, or do anything for that matter, while looking at how their lives change over the course of at least a year. Without any kind of guidance I'd expect a fast descent into apathy and lethargy with most people.

doubletgl 8y ago
This contra-UBI argument is often made, but I find it a bit short-sighted. Instead of having "survival" or "career" as a overarching goal in life, (some) people will have to find their own purpose in life. It's a bigger challenge but I believe in human adaptability. The question is how painful it will be initially and how long it will take for people to settle in this new mindset.
- Sverigevader 8y ago
  This is essentially my viewpoint as well. To mitigate the effects during the transition period I imagine some kind of social service in place where people can spend a lot of time learning to adapt to this new lifestyle.
jpindar 8y ago
Would YOU quit your job and descend into apathy and lethargy? You're saying you'd PREFER to be poor? Centuries of human history shows that most people choose not to be poor, if at all possible. Many go to great lengths to avoid it.
- dragonwriter 8y ago
  > Centuries of human history shows that most people choose not to be poor, if at all possible. And it's not just “poor vs. not poor”; a substantial share of the people who have the capacity to be rich without much effort expend additional effort to be more rich, if there are opportunities to do so.
- spacehome 8y ago
  Some do. Some are quite contented.
herbst 8y ago
Since I don't have to worry about a basic income (online business, not part of some experiment) i do a lot more for me, society and my future income. Therefore I highly believe also other people would adapt this way given a real chance.

doubletgl 8y ago

This contra-UBI argument is often made, but I find it a bit short-sighted. Instead of having "survival" or "career" as a overarching goal in life, (some) people will have to find their own purpose in life. It's a bigger challenge but I believe in human adaptability. The question is how painful it will be initially and how long it will take for people to settle in this new mindset.

Sverigevader 8y ago
This is essentially my viewpoint as well. To mitigate the effects during the transition period I imagine some kind of social service in place where people can spend a lot of time learning to adapt to this new lifestyle.

jpindar 8y ago

Would YOU quit your job and descend into apathy and lethargy? You're saying you'd PREFER to be poor? Centuries of human history shows that most people choose not to be poor, if at all possible. Many go to great lengths to avoid it.

dragonwriter 8y ago
> Centuries of human history shows that most people choose not to be poor, if at all possible. And it's not just “poor vs. not poor”; a substantial share of the people who have the capacity to be rich without much effort expend additional effort to be more rich, if there are opportunities to do so.
spacehome 8y ago
Some do. Some are quite contented.

herbst 8y ago

Since I don't have to worry about a basic income (online business, not part of some experiment) i do a lot more for me, society and my future income. Therefore I highly believe also other people would adapt this way given a real chance.