How Universal Basic Income Will Save Us From the Robot Uprising

by George Dvorsky Friday, Nov. 14, 2014 at 10:13 AM
marc1seed@yahoo.com

As we head deeper into the 21st century, it's becoming painfully obvious that there are fewer and fewer jobs available. As noted by Marshall Brain, founder of How Stuff Works and author of Manna, there are more working-age people in the U.S. receiving some form of welfare than there are working-age people who do not.

http://io9.com/how-universal-basic-income-will-save-us-from-the-robot-16...

The idea of a guaranteed basic income, also referred to as unconditional or universal basic income, is starting to gain traction in many parts of the world, both in developed and developing nations. It's actually a very simple idea: Everyone in society receives a single basic income to provide for a comfortable living whether they choose to work or not. Importantly, it's only intended to be enough for a person to survive on. The money for this social welfare scheme could come from the government or some other public institution, in addition to funds or income received from other sources. It could be taxable, or non-taxable, and divvyed up on a continual basis, monthly, or annually.

Advocates argue that a basic income is essential to a comprehensive strategy for reducing poverty because it offers extra income with no strings attached. But looking ahead to the future, we may have little choice but to implement it. Given the ever-increasing concentration of wealth and the frightening prospect of technological unemployment, it will be required to prevent complete social and economic collapse. It's not a question of if, but how soon.

A BIG Idea Whose Time Has Come

more at www.basicincome.org, www.alternativetrademandate.org, www.therealnews.com, www.onthecommons.org, www.worklessparty.org and www.freembtranslations.net