[dragonwriter]

I think (though I'm not entirely sure) that this is intended as a somewhat satirical piece arguing for basic income based on its ability to unleash productive human potential trapped by economic circumstance, using the "all profits go to me" arrangement as a device to be able to construct a self-interested narrator so that the social benefit being advocated becomes a personal benefit of the narrator.

That is, I'm sure its satirical; I'm less certain of the exact intent (and particularly there are some choices of examples that are odd given the apparent intent.)

[pashapiro]

Author here. You pretty much nailed it.

The exact intent is what you describe plus "make people that read HN laugh". If some of the meaning gets muddied for the sake of comedy, well, that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.

If it's not funny, well, that's the risk of satire. In any case, I'll keep working on the story.

[darkstar999]

I also thought it was great. I think people are put off because they hate the character.

[pashapiro]

Yeah, the darkness is a big part of the point. You should feel sort of dirty when you're done reading it, but still be able to see that an entity driven by greed can provide a social good.

Ideally, a good basic income program would provide a mix of incentives to maximize both social and economic good. The story challenges the reader to consider even the slimiest, scummiest greed as an incentive.

[randyd]

I thought it was great my dude