Status symbols and shiny toys aren't the only reason to want a job, unless you consider wanting a house large enough for each kid to have their own room a statu

Status symbols and shiny toys aren't the only reason to want a job, unless you consider wanting a house large enough for each kid to have their own room a status symbol (rather than a basic improvement in living conditions). Or living in a big city with lots of cultural events (and compatible mates) but an expensive housing market. The biggest reason is that as long as you're dependent on UBI or other forms of welfare, you are dependent on the goodwill of the government and your fellow citizens, none of which are guaranteed indefinitely even in a liberal democracy. To be truly and completely "free", you need economic freedom too. That's not an argument against UBI - I mostly agree with your analysis and solution - but I wouldn't be so dismissive of individuals' desire to improve their lives directly. It's not "greed" to want some control over your living standards and situation.