Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by tells 2366 days ago
The most exciting thing about UBI is how versatile its benefits are for human resilience.

Work conditions unfair? you have a much easier time quitting knowing you won't be stuck with 0 income.

Politics overrun with corporate money? flush it out with grassroots donations now that you have some pocket money.

Sick of the day to day grind? take your money to a community that fits with your personality now that every community is getting a massive cash injection

Worried about a president like Trump cutting your SNAP benefits again? Opt-in to UBI and never worry about your funds getting cut without the entire country getting infuriated.

People rarely feel this level of freedom. I've only felt this level of security recently but I believe everyone deserves this. I was only lucky to have made it this far from the opportunities given to me by my parents and the support I had when I couldn't stop fucking up. People need to be able to take risks and have retries. Without it, you get people working jobs they hate while envying lives they'll never have.
2 comments
GarrisonPrime 2366 days ago
Yes, free money magically appearing would make life easier for the individuals receiving it (at least, in the short term). No one is arguing otherwise. The concern is that it may have even greater negative effects on the economy as a whole.
link
matz1 2366 days ago
As for right now, the US economy as a whole is looking great. GDP number is good, stock market at high, etc but for most ordinary people those means nothing, they still suffer.
link
tempsy 2366 days ago
Right, I think this is the most underrated consequence of UBI.

I think another is the creative boom it could create. People would have room to create art, music, writing without feeling like they will become homeless without early success. That could create a whole new class of artists that couldn’t be possible otherwise.

link
ThrowawayR2 2366 days ago
> "People would have room to create art, music, writing without feeling like they will become homeless without early success."

We haven't exactly seen an explosion of creative works coming from those on public assistance already. When is this hypothetical wave of creativity supposed to kick in?

link