[keiferski]

The problem with the "passion economy", which was alluded to in another comment, is that it strengthens the already too-prevalent assumption that everything can and should be monetizable. Markets are useful but they don't need to be involved in every aspect of existence.

Sure, you don’t need to participate in Patreon to make stuff, but the trend seems to be toward relying on consumer market forces to fund culture. Tying the livelihoods of creators to the approval of their fans will lead them to censor themselves and consequently you aren't going to get anything that really pisses people off or challenges them in a countercultural way, at least enough to stop buying your stuff.

The idea of basic income seems like a better path forward, in terms of preserving artistic integrity (i.e. not "make money" or "please your fans" as the motive for making things). Everyone will get enough money to survive, no matter how much your ideas go against the zeitgeist.

[subpixel]

I just looked at Kajabi for the first time and feel similarly. A bunch of 'coaches' selling courses to other coaches, etc.

[tartoran]

Yeah, this is a tragic outcome for culture in general but free content isn’t sustainable either, people need to pay for rent, food, and other expenses. Im still waiting for the micropayments system to spring into existence..

[marcusverus]

I cannot think of a more trivial reason to fundamentally restructure the economy.

[keiferski]

To allow people to focus on meaningful pursuits rather than work largely superfluous jobs to survive?

Yeah, sounds really trivial.

[marcusverus]

That's an argument, but not the one you made above.

> The idea of basic income seems like a better path forward, in terms of preserving artistic integrity (i.e. not "make money" or "please your fans" as the motive for making things). Everyone will get enough money to survive, no matter how much your ideas go against the zeitgeist.

As in, the Patreon model isn't the best for artists, a better model is a complete rework of the economy, which would remove the need for artists to please their fans.

Extraordinarily trivial.

[keiferski]

Again, I think redesigning the economy to allow people to explore the human experience and create all forms of art without the need to make a living or be a crowd-pleaser is an extraordinarily noble goal.

[marcusverus]

Are we talking about a Star-Trek era future, once we've achieved something akin to full automation? Or do you think that this is something that is worth pursuing in the short term? Specifically, I'm curious as to who keeps the lights on in this new economy, and why they are working when work is unnecessary.

[keiferski]

Eh, I don't think we need full automation. There are plenty of superfluous jobs today and the number of people to "keep the lights" on is probably 5% of the population or less.