Scott SantensApr 4, 2024
The narrative around Universal Basic Income often gets twisted into a saga of laziness. But here's food for thought: UBI will be the most significant productivity booster we've yet to embrace. Freed from survival stress, innovation and creativity will flourish like never before.
Show threadHighlandLawyerApr 4, 2024
@scottsantens
1. Every test so far tends to indicate people use that guaranteed income to increase their earning capacity eg starting new businesses, clearing debts to remove interest charges, etc., or benefiting society by voluntary work.
2. Even if some people did literally sit around & do nothing but consume stuff bought with UBI, they're (a) not committing crimes, & (b) supporting the economy by spending. Better than stockpiling money in offshore accounts, giving society no benefit from it.
Show threadViolet

@HighlandLawyer @scottsantens
The irony is that all of the new small businesses, all of the economic benefit created by them, all of the money that ordinary people keep circulating in the economy, will actually increase the profits of companies that fight against UBI.

Instead of fighting over who gets the biggest slice of the pie, UBI will bake a bigger pie.

Apr 4, 2024 at 1:44pmWeb
Show threadHighlandLawyerApr 4, 2024
@violet @scottsantens
Can't speak to other countries but currently in the UK SMEs account for 3/5th of all employment, and half of UK private sector turnover. 4/5th of UK private sector businesses have no employees (so are sole traders, partnerships, co-ops etc)
So a scheme which strengthens that sector, simplifies tax & benefits systems, & raises general individual security & happiness would on purely economic terms seem to be a no brainer- except for the vested interests of a wealthy minority