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Is there anywhere in the world someone can just live for free?

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Re: Is there anywhere in the world someone can just live for free?

#21

Post by dr_dshiv »

derekp7 wrote: post #18
hliyan wrote: post #13

This brings up an interesting philosophical question: we are a species that need two things at a minimum at all times to survive: an oxygen atmosphere and a planetary surface with some level of gravity[1]. We've evolved under conditions where both were freely available for millions of years. While oxygen is still free, the right to set foot on a hospitable part of the earth without paying is rapidly disappearing. Sho…

Don't many species compete for territory? And once an area gets overcrowded fights break out and the weaker ones die off?

Yeah, also it’s not that any “planetary surface” will do. Territory has always been valuable.

Re: Is there anywhere in the world someone can just live for free?

#22

Post by kzrdude »

keiferski wrote: post #15

It's interesting how quality of life baselines have increased so much in the last century. If you wanted to have the QOL of someone that lived in the American West a hundred years ago, it could be done today for probably $100 a month all-inclusive of food, clothing, and shelter. But you'd be eating the same 5-10 things repeatedly, wearing the same clothes, have a few books for entertainment, minimal or no electronics…

I think we talk of a housing crisis, but the people who are living stably around me (i.e "not struggling") are living with ample space for themselves or their family. I think many are living in bigger houses and sharing less than ever (no multigenerational homes, less live-in renters and so on). (Sweden)

And that each person lives bigger or more alone than before is part of the explanation why even with modest population increases, the need for (new) housing continues.

Re: Is there anywhere in the world someone can just live for free?

#23

Post by ndsipa_pomu »

Quinzel wrote: post #2

I Seen Airport mentioned as a Suggestion, and wondered… what airport would you try life at for free, and why?

Singapore Changi airport has to be the best option in terms of facilities and luxury.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewel_Changi_Airport

Re: Is there anywhere in the world someone can just live for free?

#24

Post by herpdyderp »

HPsquared wrote: post #19
keiferski wrote: post #15

It's interesting how quality of life baselines have increased so much in the last century. If you wanted to have the QOL of someone that lived in the American West a hundred years ago, it could be done today for probably $100 a month all-inclusive of food, clothing, and shelter. But you'd be eating the same 5-10 things repeatedly, wearing the same clothes, have a few books for entertainment, minimal or no electronics…

You could probably set up a business of "economical retreats"... Live in the old fashion for a week or so. Very low costs to the business owner, and an interesting experience for the patrons. Call it "the simple life". You'd need to arrange things for them to do as well. Edit: perhaps not possible, as most people would lack the skills to e.g. wash clothes or cook manually. Maybe it could have instructors and classes…

Call it Westworld

Re: Is there anywhere in the world someone can just live for free?

#25

Post by pavlov »

kzrdude wrote: post #12
defrost wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

'It' ? What exactly is immoral and why?

That support comes with requirements and they will try to get you "reintegrated" and into a job so that you can support yourself. To use it as a salary with no intention to work is not according to the purpose of this service.

Another way to look at this would be in the context of subsidies aimed at less populated areas of the country.

A lot of people are concerned about the countryside going empty, and there are various policies aimed at reversing or at least halting that. They are necessarily income-transfer programs where cities subsidize the countryside.

An individual getting paid 500 euros to live in a remote area doesn’t seem like a bad deal in that context. It’s a much more measurable outcome than many of these other programs, at least.

But somehow giving money to an individual is much more morally controversial than giving money to a larger collective like a province or state. For example, Republicans generally don’t have a problem with federal programs that transfer income from rich states like California and New York to poor states like Alabama and Mississippi. But they would absolutely oppose similar income transfer on a personal level.

Re: Is there anywhere in the world someone can just live for free?

#26

Post by jasode »

keiferski wrote: post #15

It's interesting how quality of life baselines have increased so much in the last century. If you wanted to have the QOL of someone that lived in the American West a hundred years ago, it could be done today for probably $100 a month all-inclusive of food, clothing, and shelter. But you'd be eating the same 5-10 things repeatedly, wearing the same clothes, have a few books for entertainment, minimal or no electronics…

>I am somewhat surprised that there aren't more cheap-living communes in the US. A few thousand dollars could probably pay the living expenses of a few dozen people – assuming they are all on-board with such a materially minimalist lifestyle.

A monastery of nuns or monks is something like that: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enclosed_religious_orders

Even though the members live a minimal lifestyle of near-poverty, many monasteries are still not truly financially self-sufficient because their funding comes from an associated church's donations.

Amish communities may be an example of lower-cost living while being financially self-sufficient via selling crafts and furniture. (They're even financially independent enough to be exempt from paying and receiving government Social Security money.) It would be interesting to know of other communities that deliberately replicated Amish living (for cost/benefits) without being Amish.

Re: Is there anywhere in the world someone can just live for free?

#27

Post by kzrdude »

ndsipa_pomu wrote: post #23
Quinzel wrote: post #2

I Seen Airport mentioned as a Suggestion, and wondered… what airport would you try life at for free, and why?

Singapore Changi airport has to be the best option in terms of facilities and luxury. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewel_Changi_Airport

Based on Singapore's reputation, would they tolerate someone trying to camp in the airport?

Re: Is there anywhere in the world someone can just live for free?

#30

Post by mopenstein »

defrost wrote: post #10
danbruc wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is also immoral. EDIT: As this is collecting downvotes quite quickly, would any of the downvoters care to explain their stance?

'It' ? What exactly is immoral and why?

It's the coercive nature by which wealth is redistributed to other people that brings upon the questions of morality.

If I'm forced at the end of a barrel of a gun to give up any portion of the fruits of my labor to support others, it is immoral.

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