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There's a big problem with the statement and that is 'free stuff' vs. 'actual productivity' - it kind of implies a misunderstanding that I think is at the root
by jariel 7y ago
There's a big problem with the statement and that is 'free stuff' vs. 'actual productivity' - it kind of implies a misunderstanding that I think is at the root of so many instinctive reactions to calamity.
First, socialization and central planning at that scale is essentially communism, so start with that.
Second, if almost nobody is working, then 'stuff' doesn't get made, and you can't feed or house many people for long. We know from history, that even if people could work, the government isn't really good at organizing a lot of that kind of activity.
If we want 'food' for people there is no way around the fact we must have people doing all the various bits of work that get food to our plates: farms, delivery, processing, grocery, transport. And that system depends on everything else.
Of course, we need more than food - housing etc. depends on so much as well.
So the answer cannot be 'print money' because that literally doesn't do anything.
The answer has to be something along the lines of: 'how do we get back to work safely'?
There might be some long term opportunities with housing and healthcare, but there are already so many things screwed up there, that basic regulatory changes could yield massive opportunities long before even the argument for socialization begins. Outrageous hospital billing, odd zoning, bad labour laws etc.. So much low-hanging fruit.
- generalpass 7y ago> And that system depends on everything else. This is the bit nobody gets. Imagine how expensive gurney casters will cost when there like 100 million fewer casters being produced every year.
- xamuel 7y agoPeople seem to implicitly think the world works like in a video game: as if NPCs have unlimited supplies of hardcoded goods available at a fixed price. In an MMO, if you printed enough gold, every single player could buy a whole houseload of healing potions. That's not how the real world works, though. You can't eat cash, nor are there machines that magically turn cash into food.
- Pfhreak 7y agoTurns out that even if you cover people's basic food and shelter, they still are interested in producing stuff -- whether that's art, software, or widgets, many folks still take pride in doing work. They may not work 40 hours, but I guarantee you people would still be working. Edit: Also, providing social housing, universal health care, and basic food assistance isn't communism. France isn't a communist country, and yet they have access to those things. It's not a boolean flip between capitalism and communism -- we can have elements of both and tune it to what we'd like.
- IG_Semmelweiss 7y agoYes. We can also tune in tp permanent 10%+ unemployment, similar to france. Thanks, but no thanks