Scott Santens

Writer and Unconditional Universal #BasicIncome (UBI) advocate with a crowdfunded monthly basic income | Author of Let There Be Money | Editor of UBI Today | Founder and President of ITSAfoundation.org

Blog: https://www.scottsantens.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/scottsantens
YouTube: https://youtube.com/scottsantens
Podcast: https://anchor.fm/scottsantens

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Last Notes

2024-08-13 15:26:19

386 students in New Orleans got $200 a month in basic income. As a result, they missed fewer days of school, their reading test scores grew by nearly double those of the control group, and they enjoyed more financial stability than the control group.
https://www.nola.com/news/education/guaranteed-income-study-expands-to-more-high-schoolers/article_b1636f56-5692-11ef-97bd-57631bf1517c.html

2024-07-31 14:51:55

The results of another BIG pilot are here. This one was in L.A. and provided $1,000/mo for a year to 3,200 people and compared them to a control group of 5,000. Every household started in poverty and with kids or expecting.
Results:
"Across the board, the study reported no negative effects of cash payments on participants, who were 'significantly more likely to secure full-time employment than to remain unemployed not looking for work' than those in the control group."
https://www.businessinsider.com/los-angeles-guaranteed-basic-income-pilot-ubi-partner-violence-employment-2024-7

2024-07-10 12:18:00

It is already true and will only be increasingly true that the future of work will involve increasing frequency of transitioning between jobs and education and learning new skills. Climate change and AI only increase the frequency of transitions. Universal Basic Income will help support everyone in all transitions.

2024-07-04 11:55:18

When folks argue that a Universal Basic Income would deter working, think about those million-dollar CEOs. If a modest $15k is enough to make one quit working, wouldn’t multi-million dollar packages make CEOs practically comatose? Yet, here they are, still CEOing. Weird isn't it?

2024-07-03 14:17:55

Universal basic income means that everyone gets money. Those who get more in UBI than they pay in higher taxes will spend it in businesses like grocery stores and restaurants, which then in turn becomes the wages for the workers at those businesses who would get their paychecks in addition to their UBI.
Want to restore Main Street USA? UBI is how to do that. Nothing would do more for small towns across America than UBI.

2024-06-29 16:08:58

It's wild how many people accept the idea of 8 hours of work, 8 hours of leisure, and 8 hours of sleep each day as somehow ideal as if handed down on stone tablets. That wasn't always the norm, and we can do better. It's time for four 8-hour days or five 6-hour days plus universal basic income.

2024-06-27 11:43:45

We can divide problems into two types: money problems and other problems. Universal basic income will not solve all problems, nor will it solve all money problems, but it will solve a lot of money problems for a lot of people. It's then so much easier to fix the remaining problems.

2024-06-26 13:02:39

Universal Basic Income enables everyone to buy a pair of boots with straps.

2024-06-25 13:04:05

Why do we idolize the overworked lifestyle? Proud to have 3 jobs and work 70 hours? Imagine a world where Unconditional Basic Income gives you the freedom to pursue your passions without the constant stress of making ends meet. Work becomes a choice for growth, not just survival. Isn't that the dream?

2024-06-24 15:03:51

We can't have parachutes, pilots will just fly recklessly.
We can't have seat belts; they'll just cause more car accidents.
We can't water the plants, they'll just grow dependent on water.
We can't have unconditional basic income, people will just stop working.
ALL OF THESE CLAIMS ARE STUPID

2024-06-21 13:32:31

Believing the myth that Universal Basic Income will lead many of us to quit our jobs is like believing a safety net encourages high-wire performers to fall purposely. UBI doesn't take away the incentive to work; it's about providing a foundation from which we can all aim higher.

2024-06-21 13:32:31

2024-06-20 13:31:59

Individuals who received the $1,000/mo or $500/mo payments were more likely to find a stable, full-time job than before they received the basic income. Results also showed 45% of participants secured housing, while $589,214 was saved in public service costs.
"It's freedom. It's freedom from poverty..."
https://www.businessinsider.com/denver-basic-income-reduces-homelessness-food-insecurity-housing-ubi-gbi-2024-6

2024-06-15 12:04:15

Alaska has had a small annual universal basic income since 1982. You might think it has only increased prices but every year when the checks go out, businesses compete for customers by lowering their prices. It has decreased poverty there. It's also increased overall employment.

2024-06-14 12:50:58

"Here's money to do what you want. I trust you. Don't worry about making any money right now. Just do what you want. I support it and believe you'll make lots of money eventually."
Am I talking about unconditional basic income or pre-seed venture capital funding?

2024-06-12 12:13:53

Economies should grow from the bottom up. Sustainably. The physics of an economy is for money to flow upwards where it concentrates, endangering the system itself. Mechanisms need to exist to "evaporate" money at the top (taxes), and for new money to flow up from the bottom through everyone as Universal Basic Income.

2024-06-06 12:26:07

Stockholders receive dividends for putting up the capital necessary for a corporation to be successful. All citizens together created the capital necessary for the US to be so successful. Public funds went into R&D. Now our data went into AI.
Universal basic income is a deserved citizen dividend.

2024-06-05 12:39:01

If a universal basic income of $15,000 a year would cause everyone to stop working, why is anyone currently earning over $15,000 a year? If you're reading this and have a higher income than $15k, why are you doing that? Reduce your hours and enjoy the sweet $15k lifestyle.

2024-06-03 15:05:58

Stop insisting on work requirements. Just provide cash unconditionally. People will still work.
Stop insisting on targeting the poor. Just provide cash universally. Tax the rich more than the amount. That way we won't exclude anyone in need.
On these core tenets, Unconditional Universal Basic Income exists.

2024-05-31 14:09:33

Struggle should be, "I can't figure out how to make fusion energy work," not "I can't figure out how to not live in poverty despite being surrounded by abundance."

2024-05-30 13:45:27

The idea that we should earn our survival is a narrative rooted not in freedom, but in control. Universal basic income challenges this by asserting that access to basic needs isn't earned, it's a right. Let's shift the narrative. Survival amidst plenty shouldn't be up for debate.

2024-05-23 13:37:01

Food and water are essential but so is the freedom to participate in society. The weight of financial strain can isolate. A society with Universal Basic Income is a healthier society where everyone is free to participate in meaningful ways to building friendships and communities.

2024-05-22 14:33:45

Universal basic income is society as a whole saying to every individual member of society, "I have faith in you. Show me what you can do."
Anyone who has ever accomplished anything has first had someone in some way demonstrate their faith in them and their potential.

2024-05-21 11:59:05

Do not confuse welfare with Universal Basic Income. If you get $1k in welfare does it make sense to take a $1k job, lose your welfare and end up with the same $1k? No.
If you get $1k UBI, does it make sense to take a $1k job and end up with $2k? Yes.
This is why so many pilots show increases in work.

2024-05-19 15:03:30

To all the supporters of universal basic income out there, what happened to make you support it even more after you already came to support it?
For me it was learning the many dirty details of traditional welfare benefits and how programs like TANF are designed and treat people, and how many people in need they don't help.
https://media.hachyderm.io/media_attachments/files/112/468/352/661/680/277/original/23c4ac08cc2ca87f.jpg

2024-05-18 20:31:12

The 'godfather of AI' says the government will have to establish UBI to deal with the impact of AI on inequality.
"I was consulted by people in Downing Street and I advised them that universal basic income was a good idea."
—Geoffrey Hinton
He thinks that AI will increase productivity and wealth, but that the money will go to the rich and not the people whose jobs get lost and that’s "going to be very bad for society."
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cnd607ekl99o

2024-05-16 13:34:12

When we talk about Universal Basic Income, we're not dreaming of some fantasy utopia. We're advocating for a more equitable platform where everyone has the freedom to pursue their aspirations without the anchor of financial despair.
It's time to level the playing field.
Let's make UBI a reality.

2024-05-15 15:18:12

"Everyone has to work to eat (unless rich) or else no one will do any work" is such a messed up way of thinking about human behavior and our apparent need to sustain poverty to prevent the collapse of civilization.
Most everyone wants more than a poverty line unconditional basic income would provide.

2024-05-14 12:59:46

Money is like shit. If we spread it around, it functions as fertilizer, enabling incredible ideas to sprout and grow. If instead we just pile it up into mountains, it stinks and all the great stuff that could sprout and flourish is starved of nutrients.
Universal basic income is the good shit.

2024-05-10 14:55:30

I make a point of posting and amplifying posts about the concept of unconditional basic income. I do this in the hope of inspiring others to do the same. UBI isn't the only change we need to make, but I do believe it's the single most important one. If you agree, please help amplify UBI posts.

2024-05-07 11:47:48

Day-to-day survival should not be our main gig.
Humanity is meant to do far more than just not die.
Unconditional basic income is the foundation for a humanity where survival is guaranteed, and figuring out how to truly thrive becomes our main gig.

2024-05-03 11:58:19

Everyone in Alaska has enjoyed a Universal Basic Income for over 40 years for just breathing in Alaska. Has it harmed them? No. Employment increased. Inflation slowed. Poverty went down. Obesity went down. Child abuse went down.
They basically used Thomas Paine's argument.
https://www.libertarianism.org/articles/thomas-paines-solution-poverty

2024-05-03 11:58:19

2024-05-02 11:34:26

The concept of Universal Basic Income isn't about discouraging hard work; it's about ensuring everyone has the fundamental necessities to survive. Our society should not be one where survival is a privilege. It's time we make it a right. Basic income is not charity; it's justice.

2024-04-23 12:20:07

Dismantling myths about Universal Basic Income one fact at a time:
UBI isn't about giving money to do nothing. It's about money to do ANYTHING. This is in stark contrast to traditional welfare benefits that require people to keep their incomes sufficiently low to keep getting it.

2024-04-21 13:42:45

"Looking at the early findings of [the basic income for artists] pilot a compelling case is already emerging to justify rolling out this basic income to all artists – and make no mistake – this is my absolute goal.”
Universal basic income will spark the next Renaissance.
https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/04/20/catherine-martin-signals-ground-breaking-basic-income-scheme-for-artists-to-be-expanded/

2024-04-18 15:29:42

Let's dispel a myth: Universal Basic Income isn't about funding idleness; it's about funding potential. We can have a world where every mind has the means to chase their bliss. That's not simple charity; that's an investment in human capital at its finest. Imagine more Einsteins! And da Vincis.

2024-04-17 19:12:45

I dream of a day when financial stability isn't an exclusive club but a universal right. Unconditional Basic Income isn't about giving handouts; it's about handing back dignity and the freedom to innovate. Let's all shift from survival mode to thrive mode together. It's time.

2024-04-16 11:48:34

Every single one of us should be in the business of planting trees whose shade we know we will never enjoy ourselves. That shade is for our kids and our kids' kids. So to me, it's profoundly selfish to suggest anyone doesn't deserve having it easier than we had it with stuff like unconditional basic income and universal healthcare because "ThEy DiDn'T eArN iT."

2024-04-13 11:41:40

Here's a thought to simmer on your mental stovetop:
Unconditional Basic Income isn't just about putting money in more pockets and security in more souls. It's about acknowledging that our greatest resource isn't gold, oil, or data—it's human potential. Unleashing that? Priceless.

2024-04-06 12:45:01

When you are poor, in many ways you can't afford to work, which is why so many basic income pilots focused on low income households show increased work.
When you have some non-zero amount of money, UBI assists work.
There is then some amount of money high enough to reduce work.

2024-03-20 16:23:40

We're the only species who must pay to exist.
In a private property system where all the land was claimed by others before we were born, and all we need to stay alive costs money, unconditional basic income is a basic 👏 human 👏 right 👏 to the resources we all need to exist.