At the heart of much speculative fiction (and fiction in general) is a question. What if? On Tuesdays I like to throw one out there and see what you make of it. Do with it as you please. If a for-instance is not specified, feel free to interpret that instance as you wish. And if you find this becomes a novel-length answer, I'd appreciate a thank you in the acknowledgements. 😉
Have you heard of the idea of a universal basic income? It's something that's been all over my Twitter feed recently as #basicincome and #CASHcon. (If you haven't seen it, check it out.) I first heard of this only this year, but it seems to be getting more and more press. And this got me thinking...
What if you started getting an extra $1000 a month from some philanthropical concern? Would you be suspicious? What would you do with the money?
I'd be suspicious - it would probably be coming out of my taxes, which would mean I'd be paying myself.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of this universal basic income concept, so I did read the article. Not sure how I feel about it in general, but to answer your question, I think I would be suspicious too. I would probably save the money so that if they ever decided it wasn't a good idea and wanted it back, I'd have the money available to pay them back.
ReplyDeletebetty
If I don't know where it's coming from, of course I'd be suspicious.
ReplyDeleteIf it's a basic income, then I'm happy for the extra cash, though I'd like to think it would go automatically to savings.
You could probably set it up that way.
DeleteOf course I would be suspicious since I am not really a trusting person anyway....would I spend it....probably not, I would save it waiting for the other shoe to drop and someone want it back!
ReplyDeleteI think in this case no one is going to want it back. Although, the payments may stop...
DeleteI'd pay rent and buy food. I'm too poor to be suspicious.
ReplyDeleteI'd be suspicious but would stick it in a savings account.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like everyone thus far would be suspicious. Interesting.
DeleteI would be suspicious as well and wonder what they want in return. I would be investigating to see if this is legit, if I will be taxed and I would be saving this money in a separate account until i know for sure there is not anything attached to getting this money.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm sure it'll be taxed ;)
DeleteAn extra $1000 a month woulkd mean I could visit my mom in FL more often and boy would that make her happy. My feeling is, if someone sends me a valid check, I'll cash it as long as there's no nefarious strings attached.
ReplyDeleteHi Liz - it's been around a while ... if someone (a country) is brave enough to set it up - it could certainly help lots of people - and get them off welfare benefits - it is being seriously looked at. It could make a world of difference - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI would definitely be suspicious and would investigate it deeply. However, if this were the case and it was legit, that shit would be invested lickity split.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a plan :)
DeleteThere is a UBI scheme being implemented in Stockton, CA. as I type.
ReplyDeleteIf I were a recipient, I'd probably use the money for schooling, if there were any left over after paying bills.
I believe it's the Stockton experiment that is referenced in the article I linked to.
DeleteWhat would I do...perhaps first research to see if things were legit ie...a group that really gives things away so later you didn't get a nasty note saying you had to pay it back. I would use it for charities I currently can't afford.
ReplyDeleteTrying once more on the hyperlink thing, sorry for all the practice.
Traveling Suitcase
Practice makes perfect ;)
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