Joshua BarrettoAug 16, 2023
It occurred to me today that the social value of the open-source work I do in my free time has probably been an order of magnitude more useful to the world than everything I've ever done as a paid employee. Needing to seek a wage almost certainly makes me a less productive member of society than I would otherwise be.
Show threadHistoPol (#HP) 🏴 🇺🇸 🏴Aug 16, 2023

@jsbarretto

a perfect case in point for #UBI (Universal Basic income)

Show threadtshepangAug 18, 2023
@HistoPol @jsbarretto that and universal basic services
Show threadHistoPol (#HP) 🏴 🇺🇸 🏴Aug 18, 2023

@tshepang
I would need to give this idea some more thought.

You see, if a service does not cost anything at all, there tends to be waste and abuse.

If everyone is given a basic income to cover their (basic) needs, this would solve that problem too, don't you think?

In any event, public goods should be held by a (non-corrupt) state and not by private citizens or corporations (e.g. water rights).

@jsbarretto

Show threadJoshua BarrettoAug 18, 2023
@HistoPol @tshepang I think this is a common misnomer. When it comes to basic services, it's rare that they're abused. In the UK, healthcare is free at the point of use but nobody goes for a jolly down to the local hospital. Similarly, almost nobody does the same for food banks, social benefits, etc. without good reason. I don't think that humans actually behave like classical economics would suggest (i.e: as cynical min-maxers who will readily take over the needs of others).
Show threadHistoPol (#HP) 🏴 🇺🇸 🏴Aug 18, 2023

@jsbarretto @tshepang

Interesting thoughts.

Apart from health care (where I tend to disagree, as the inflation rate, including innovation had been 12-15%, depending on the country, even before the Pandemic . The #NHS is in a huge crisis and even in non-Oil countries, maintaining it open for all is gigantic and access must be limited for the system not to break. - Limited regarding the scope of the services, not regarding nationals and residents.)
...which universal basic services do you see?

Show threadJoshua BarrettoAug 18, 2023
@HistoPol @tshepang What do you mean by 'see' exactly? I think food/healthcare/housing/water/heating/internet connection are all pretty essential for living in today's world, so I'd rather see their provision to all citizens be a statutory requirement placed upon both local and national governments.
Show threadtshepangAug 18, 2023
@jsbarretto @HistoPol I would extend that to all, not just citizens, for it would be very sad to be denied such basic things for being born in the "wrong" place
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