A universal income is not such a silly idea

#1

Post by giorgiofontana » Thu, Nov 28, 2013, 1:24 PM UTC

A universal income is not such a silly idea
timharford.com

Re: A universal income is not such a silly idea

#2

Post by twoodfin » Thu, Nov 28, 2013, 1:53 PM UTC

Can we stop putting these "universal income" posts on the front page until someone has something genuinely new to say about the idea or there's some news about an actual implementation?

Re: A universal income is not such a silly idea

#3

Post by wanda » Thu, Nov 28, 2013, 1:58 PM UTC

Can we stop putting these "universal income" posts on the front page.

Re: A universal income is not such a silly idea

#4

Post by LogicalBorg » Thu, Nov 28, 2013, 2:05 PM UTC

twoodfin wrote: post #2

Can we stop putting these "universal income" posts on the front page until someone has something genuinely new to say about the idea or there's some news about an actual implementation?

I had a genuinely new idea this morning. Paying people for idleness increases idleness, which isn't necessarily good for the recipient. Why not pay them instead for doing things that make their life individually or collectively better? * Pay them for taking and passing college classes. * Pay them for losing weight and getting their BMI to an acceptable level that reduces collective health care costs. * Pay them for giving up smoking, drugs, or drinking or not starting. * Pay them to drive more safely. * Pay them for art appreciation. * Pay them to adopt children and make their lives better.

This is an alternative to the model where everyone works for a living. It produces non-work social good that is to the benefit of the recipient and the society they live in.

Re: A universal income is not such a silly idea

#5

Post by pgsandstrom » Thu, Nov 28, 2013, 2:06 PM UTC

twoodfin wrote: post #2

Can we stop putting these "universal income" posts on the front page until someone has something genuinely new to say about the idea or there's some news about an actual implementation?

Most likely it gets upvoted to the front page since most HN visitors have not yet read a post about it. I know that I hadn't.

Also, stating "this is old news, don't upvote it" has been done hundreds of times before, so your contribution is not better.

Re: A universal income is not such a silly idea

#6

Post by hatu » Thu, Nov 28, 2013, 2:06 PM UTC

In a country with it's own currency, wouldn't this just raise prices until finally the effect would be being back to step 1 but with huge inflation. I.e. I'm selling bread for $3. Now I get $1500 free money every month and I know you do too. I'm selling bread for $6 because I know everyone has extra money lying around and since I have extra money I don't really care if people buy less from me.

Re: A universal income is not such a silly idea

#7

Post by pothibo » Thu, Nov 28, 2013, 2:07 PM UTC

I haven't studied economics long enough to be an expert in the field, but doesn't a universal income drive inflation up?

It's basically the same as a minimum hourly wage that keeps going up to follow the inflation, it's always a catch up game and organization fighting for minimum hourly wage always say it's insufficient.

Maybe an economic alumni could enlighten me?

Re: A universal income is not such a silly idea

#8

Post by linux_devil » Thu, Nov 28, 2013, 2:07 PM UTC

twoodfin wrote: post #2

Can we stop putting these "universal income" posts on the front page until someone has something genuinely new to say about the idea or there's some news about an actual implementation?

Isn't this model inspired Communism and is a well known fact ?

Re: A universal income is not such a silly idea

#9

Post by marco-fiset » Thu, Nov 28, 2013, 2:07 PM UTC

wanda wrote: post #3

Can we stop putting these "universal income" posts on the front page.

Actually, we don't put them on the front page, they get upvoted until they land here. That means there is some interest for to this post and may lead to great discussions.

Re: A universal income is not such a silly idea

#10

Post by pgsandstrom » Thu, Nov 28, 2013, 2:09 PM UTC

LogicalBorg wrote: post #4

twoodfin wrote: post #2

Can we stop putting these "universal income" posts on the front page until someone has something genuinely new to say about the idea or there's some news about an actual implementation?

I had a genuinely new idea this morning. Paying people for idleness increases idleness, which isn't necessarily good for the recipient. Why not pay them instead for doing things that make their life individually or collectively better? * Pay them for taking and passing college classes. * Pay them for losing weight and getting their BMI to an acceptable level that reduces collective health care costs. * Pay them for g…

Interesting thought! But then we are back to the huge bureaucratic system that needs to reinforce all those rules. Also, several of those ideas sounds very exploitable.