It's hard for me to even consider slavery as a productive tool, even if I'm a sociopath/misanthrope. For one, it's like swimming across the Atlantic with stones in your pocket. You may swim a few miles if you're really good, but it's a dead-end, though I could be wrong.
The one thing I like to ask people is: what would you do, if you had an extra $1,000 a month? Would you immediately quit your job? If so, why?
I've heard some of my colleagues say, 'well, it wouldn't change much to my situation'. But for the most part, people aren't adverse to it. It's only when it comes to how Others may use it, that all the stigma and bias comes at the forefront. Or if they like the idea, their next challenge becomes "where does the money comes from?". But that's already a step ahead in the dialogue.
Another reflection I had, was that perhaps I took for granted that given some resources, people would generally go towards achieving their sense of Meaning in life. And of course, why should it be so? In fact, I think that the biggest change that needs to happen, in conjunction of a UBI, is a discussion on where we are headed, and what are we to do.
Reflecting on the big questions: What kind of world we would want our children to grow up in? This kind of conversation is what I think is required for proper guidance in the right direction (culturally, economically and ecologically).
In the end, I can't stop someone to buy a kilo of opioids with a $1,000 and overdose on it. But, we may be able to help that person get access to resources that will turn his/her life around. So a UBI is really just the tip of the iceberg for me.
Like taking psychedelics, it's all about Set & Setting.
Hopefully, that's coherent enough.
PS: The thing I like about UBI is not so much It, but what it's based upon. That is: Decentralization (which adds redundancy at every 'node'; and in turn creates resilience); Localised (you're free to use the cash as you see fit in your context, (within the confines of the law)); and Universal: everyone eligible gets it (once again, the scales may differ: municipality; regionally; nationally; or beyond)
If you look at Nature, these are the same principles that are observed. Cells in our body only survive because they all have access to energy; if it was up to only a few at the top (e.g., the brain cells) the whole body would quickly die.
Same if you look at Soil ecology. Trees, plants, fungi help each other, not because they're "nice", but out of their own enlightened self-interest to keep the ecosystem flourishing (and for themselves to survive).
Ultimately, and though this is only my worldview, our survival depends upon on co-operation and inter-dependence. Any attempt otherwise would only lead to our slow demise.
