Max Rising by Matthew Lohbihler

Author:Matthew Lohbihler [Lohbihler, Matthew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-09-02T00:00:00+00:00

UBI Exhibit

International Virtual Museum of World History, Universal Basic Income Exhibit. Group tour, January 20, 2075

Guide: “Welcome everyone.”

Murmurs of hello among the group. Some voices delayed for translation.

Guide: “Are there any questions before we begin?”

Ryan_Koke_222: “Is there a…”

Guide, holding up her hand: “Just don’t. Why does it have to be every… single… time?”

Ryan_Koke_222: “... recording of this exhibit, or do I have to take note?”

Guide: “Oh. No, you will have to take your own notes. Let’s begin then. Any other questions are welcome at any time.”

The scene of the grand museum lobby fades to blackness, giving the impression that everyone present is floating in a starless space. The guide puts her hands together in front of her, and as she pulls them apart again colours stream out and around the guests, forming into a lively classroom scene, where students of all ages are participating in animated discussions.

Guide: “UBI, or Universal Basic Income, is a stipend paid to every individual in a society purely by virtue of being alive to accept it. There are no conditions attached to its receipt; the recipient can do with the funds whatever they wish. The primary economic motivation of the UBI is as a stimulant. HIstory has shown that money that goes to the wealthy results in it being saved, where it does little for the growth of economies. But when given to the poor it gets spent. The immediate practical effect is to increase consumption of subsistence goods, including food, clothes, and utilities. In the medium term we see an increase in what is known as ‘deferred spending’, where consumers begin to develop enough confidence to buy the things they have long wanted but couldn’t previously afford. But it is the long term effects that are much more interesting.

“The first country in the world to introduce a true state-run UBI was Iran in the autumn of 2010, but before then there were many studies of the concept, reaching back decades, and the idea has existed for centuries. Interestingly, Alaska, a state known for its right wing leanings, began a UBI program in 1982, paid for by oil revenues.

TheUnreal123: “Why did they stop it?”

Guide: “In fact the program in Alaska was not suspended until the worldwide rise of the Facilities mandated a stop to petroleum production, which ended the fund that paid for it. But the Facilities replaced it with a global UBI, which is still in operation today.

“The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 was - albeit unintentionally - the largest ever test of the concept. Governments worldwide found themselves forced to provide financial aid to individuals who had suddenly become unable to work. This was particularly difficult for many conservative governments of the time, whose policies depended upon a belief that it is an individual’s responsibility to look after themselves. Finally recognizing that some individuals can become impoverished through no fault of their own required a shift in core beliefs. Happily for them, the pandemic ended with the widespread distribution of vaccines, after which they could end the aid programs and return to their preferred libertarian ways.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.