Trends that will create demand for an Unconditional Basic Income

Re:Trends that will create demand for an Unconditional Basic... by Artistry121 on Thursday July 11, 2013 @02:11PM (#6027902)

Basic income is just that - basic income. Some people who want to have more than that will work. Janitors still want iPads or cable television - and they will be incentized to work for that on a competitive market for those products and services.

0 hours of janitoring = small comfortable house and enough food

5 hours of janitoring = small comfortable hosue and enough food and cable televsion

If people simply stopped working when they could live "comfortably" why would they buy iPads, cable television, new cars? Employment history and reputation aren't going out the window with this plan either. A janitor will be good at his job because he knows if he gets fired he won't get reccomended for other janitorial jobs - and his chance of getting an iPad in the future goes way down.

I know janitors who buy lottery tickets, eat out at restaurants and have cable television - according to you those wouldn't exist because they could "janitor" less and live without those.

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Re:Trends that will create demand for an Unconditional Basic... by Zimahl on Thursday July 11, 2013 @03:41PM (#6028632)

I never said any of those wouldn't exist, but I'm a firm believer in rewards. Right now a janitor is rewarding himself with a paycheck so he can do what he wants otherwise the flip side is poverty.

Here's the thing. Let's say you made $100k per year working 40 hours/week with benefits. If I were to pay you to not work but get a smaller wage (keeping your benefits), what percentage would be acceptable to you? 90%? 80%? 50%? What is it worth to you to not have to work?

There is a number that most janitors would probably accept. I think a fair number of retail employees too.

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