I've been doing a lot of research on the future developments of society based on AI and automation.
It's estimated by some figures that by 2050 we will have lost 40-50% of all jobs to automation. This will have the effect of creating an unemployment crisis and congregation of wealth to silicon valley technocrats.
One solution that had been proposed and was taken and popularized by presidential candidate Andrew yang is the concept of universal income.
Some have argued given the pandemic the time to unroll this is now, and some even argue the checks that went out was a form of it.
The theory is this: tax the technocrats enough to give a meager base income for everyone nonetheless*. $12,000 I think was the suggested starting point. Obviously this is not enough to live on... The debate becomes if you hand people money if they will ever be motivated to find work. But with the jobs gone I'm not sure how that makes sense.
Anyway; regardless* of the starting income, some have gone even farther and said this is the start of what they call "leisure society". With AI doing the majority of the work and people not having to work jobs anymore, they will be free to pursue hobbies and side hustles full time.
One book I read made a fierce point against leisure society, stating that most people for centuries have derived a sense of self worth and purpose in work. If you take that away, people will feel they have lost meaning and it will result in an existential crisis.
Curious to hear everyone's thoughts on this scenario being proposed. Would it be positive? Would you enjoy it? Thoughts, theories, objections, all welcome
*Grammar editing courtesy @Deleted member 16771 who prefers that I use real words
It's estimated by some figures that by 2050 we will have lost 40-50% of all jobs to automation. This will have the effect of creating an unemployment crisis and congregation of wealth to silicon valley technocrats.
One solution that had been proposed and was taken and popularized by presidential candidate Andrew yang is the concept of universal income.
Some have argued given the pandemic the time to unroll this is now, and some even argue the checks that went out was a form of it.
The theory is this: tax the technocrats enough to give a meager base income for everyone nonetheless*. $12,000 I think was the suggested starting point. Obviously this is not enough to live on... The debate becomes if you hand people money if they will ever be motivated to find work. But with the jobs gone I'm not sure how that makes sense.
Anyway; regardless* of the starting income, some have gone even farther and said this is the start of what they call "leisure society". With AI doing the majority of the work and people not having to work jobs anymore, they will be free to pursue hobbies and side hustles full time.
One book I read made a fierce point against leisure society, stating that most people for centuries have derived a sense of self worth and purpose in work. If you take that away, people will feel they have lost meaning and it will result in an existential crisis.
Curious to hear everyone's thoughts on this scenario being proposed. Would it be positive? Would you enjoy it? Thoughts, theories, objections, all welcome
*Grammar editing courtesy @Deleted member 16771 who prefers that I use real words
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