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by isoskeles 1892 days ago
The "duty" is to satisfy the demands of existing within a community of people, where able-bodied freeloaders are never welcome. But I can understand nitpicking over semantics. Replace the word "duty" with whatever you want.
1 comments
m3ta4a 1892 days ago
Nonsense, a different word doesn't suddenly make it universally true. It could be a guiding philosophy, something like "to live a good life provide value to your community". But it is in no practical way a rule.
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groone 1892 days ago
It is a universal rule as if you don't do that, you are part of the problem and are creating a drag on the society, reducing the value for everyone to use and enjoy. Your argument sounds like You want to see the society to fail and collapse.
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solosoyokaze 1892 days ago
It's not universal. I'd rather see someone "freeload" in a system of wild wealth inequality than further enrich those who already have runaway gains via the power law. In fact, I'd say it's quite an ethical position to take.

Put another way, I'll worry about a million people not "adding value" when there ceases to exist individuals who have captured enough wealth to support a million people. The latter is the real problem.

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m3ta4a 1892 days ago
Exactly, thank you. I struggled for the right words but you captured my sentiment perfectly. I think the perspective that we have a "duty to contribute" might be a valid one in a philosophical sense, but I resent being told as by a parent scolding their child that I have some duty or other.

I have no such thing. I am debt free and live the way I want. I live alone. I have no children or spouse to support. I owe nothing to anybody. I don't owe anyone an explanation. Maybe the opposing views come from people who believe they do, but in no way is it universal.

Your point from the perspective of wealth inequality is more elegant. In my case I am wealthy enough to support roughly one person: me.

If I want or need more resources, I have levers I can pull to obtain them. But don't tell me I have a "duty" to add value to the economy.

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groone 1891 days ago
Hate to break it to you but even if you owe nothing to anybody you probably owe taxes every year. Thank you for your forced contribution to society!
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m3ta4a 1891 days ago
Ok ok. I owe somebody something.

I won't name names, but I do know people who have simply not filed nor paid taxes in a decade. They even got stimulus checks.

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