The Case for Basic Income | Sebastian Johnson | TEDxMidAtlantic

Rising income inequality and the threat of automation have given the basic income, an old idea, new wings. Everyone -- Silicon Valley technologists, social justice justice activists, even some conservative thought leaders -- thinks that the moment has come to guarantee each citizen enough to cover their basic needs. In this TEDx talk, Sebastian Johnson lays out the case for the basic income, and why this time could be different.
Sebastian Johnson is a Senior Associate with Freedman Consulting, LLC and a passionate believer in the role public policy can play in bettering lives. From 2014 to 2016 Mr. Johnson was the state policy fellow at the Institution on Taxation and Economic Policy. He also served as a policy analyst for Governor Martin O’Malley and a number of local officials in Maryland. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and Politics.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@rperales1977]

We all need a universal basic income especially now with COVID.

[@ancientkid1635]

ANDREW YANG 2020

[@Hapyendingwow]

I've been a skeptic of this topic since first hearing about it but this was a well thought out, logical speech and definitely has me leaning towards the basic income.

[@ryo-kai1938]

It's definitely a hard thing for many to accept when they first hear about it, but I really think the old economic ideas aren't functioning the way they were originally intended to in the past. At this point, for the majority of non-rich citizens, 8-hour work days are (hopefully) barely enough to cover basic needs. Many of these people dislike the jobs they must work to survive, which is a huge drain on emotional and mental energy and lowers job performance. This decreases their likelihood of putting in the massive time and energy required to initiate the workflow they actually want in their lives. These employees are often even more distraught because literally 2 weeks of unemployment can be enough to put them on the street in many cases. How do they change jobs and find something less draining? it's a vicious cycle. I believe very strongly that people DON'T WANT TO DO NOTHING! Even those who think they do would likely get tired of it in a few months and start being productive out of sheer boredom. I have a lot to say on this topic, but I'll let the numbers do the rest of the talking as this comment is already a monster. Anyone who's interested need only look up some research data :)

[@nicholasalbeck7114]

There seems to be a lot of people promoting UBI that suck at talking. This guy was the best I've seen so far.

[@matthewarnold4557]

there is a great talk by rutger breigman on UBI

[@LinA-it9vd]

I am much more than skeptic about this. It’s a full on disastrous idea all around. It works against everything work ethic, self esteem and becoming depressed because you know someone is paying your way through life because you are a failure. Sorry can’t see one good thing about it except all government social programs will be redundant and all the make work charities will close up shop. Yup many people will be out of work.

[@Saberwolves84]

@@LinA-it9vd It does not work against any of these things. Why would you think giving people barely enough to live on would make them not want to work he even said a study said that did not happen. People have better self esteem when they enough for basic needs and they become depressed when they can't pay their bills. You have no idea what you are talking about.

[@Syklonus]

A car will not run until you meet its basic need of petrol. A computer will not turn on without its basic need of electricity. A human cannot function at optimal mental and physical level without our basic needs of food and shelter. Poverty and stress alters the way the brain thinks and can lead to bad decisions. The same happens with micro-management as you are far more likely to get flustered and make a mistake if you are being vehemently watched and scrutinised - which is ironically what most welfare systems do.

[@corinaamato3519]

Hawaii just passed a bill to start the process for UBI there. WOW! Hope I live long enough to see this America.

[@unknownx7252]

There's is a democratic candidate running for president, his name is Andrew Yang, his main platform is UBI. Check him out on the breakfast club and Joe Rogan podcast.

[@prissymcc]

Thanks for a GREAT VIDEO! I plan to use this a LOT as I continue to Campaign for UBI!

[@tbnewhomes]

Great and informative speech.. Well done!!

[@shilohadminshilohpaintingi4769]

Andrew Yang 2020.

[@corinaamato3519]

It's the opposite of trickle down. When people have money to spend and financial security, the economy buzzes. It seems "unAmerican" but apparently the rich "deserving" elite sucking up all the wealth of the labor of the nation seems perfectly American. The rich don't really have jobs either. Their money makes money. If you take all the money spent on social welfare systems, just like universal health care, will probably cost half as much. People have the right to be happy and creative and not just tax producers for a government that gives them nothing. If something isn't done, with the labor market declining, the peasants will soon be at the castle gate and the elite know it. Since we are the richest nation, it doesn't do to have our citizens homeless and toothless. Better to keep them happy and productive. The rich can still get richer.

[@garyrodgers7883]

Presidential Candidate for 2020, Andrew Yang calls Universal Basic Income the "Trickle Up Economy." I think Americans have had enough of being trickled down on. Let's vote Yang and trickle up for a change. Yang 2020!

[@mikely7354]

brilliant talk!

[@RobertDMoore]

every human being has the right to an basic income, I mean, why social security numbers? So it truly is a basic human's right to have own national birthright claim as a citizen of its country, is entitled to an income to live and survive, period. Let's have the meritocracy with the green party, Independent and abandon hypocrisy democracy and republic, both are more of the same like two heads beast to deal with for a long time so it's time to change and move forward with Independent party in United States of America we can take it back from the two heads beast sooner or later if we all rise up to the occasion where we in union say, "Enough is enough!"

[@johnellis7614]

BASIC TAKING -- BASIC INCOME -- BASIC GIVING BASIC TAKING is capitalism, with everyone considering themselves the most important and striving to be enriched upon the misery of those less educated. A system with no need or ability to have compassion, pity, charity or a grateful response. BASIC INCOME is socialism, mutual gratification with everyone considering themselves equal, everyone giving equal and getting equal in return. Again, a system with no need or ability to have compassion, pity, charity or a grateful response. BASIC GIVING is the moral fabric of society, where everyone considers others more important and because of this feels most guilty if ever they miss an opportunity to have compassion, pity and charity for those with less, and in a way that produces a grateful response.

[@lilyblossom1240]

cold hard truth: there aren't enough jobs now. most jobs now don't pay you enough to live on. they pay 1500 or less a month! We need UBI and it needs to be set at 2500.

[@jamesstevenson7725]

$2,500 sounds good to me!

[@DaveWard-xc7vd]

There are plenty of high paying jobs available. You just dont qualify for them.

[@Kennan_Davis]

If you make $1500 a month or less, unless you’re a teenager or early 20 something still in school, that’s your OWN FAULT and no one else’s

[@fanOmry]

Partially true, Coditions and Choices affect each other. And the reason the wellfare state fail is the *Exact* reason UBI works. wellfare is conditional. The person has already went through what happens when you fail to support yourself. losing wellfare in such a condition is terrifying. So they avoid it. make it permament.. And their Greed and Ambition can take hold.

[@fanOmry]

Forgot.. UBI Should *Not* be promoted as a Socialist Idea because in *That* Context it will *Not* work. Why? because then the idea will be to 'close social gaps' rather than just giving everyone the *freedom to fail*. Two approaches that are, simmilar on the surface, but radically different in close inspection. one sees the rich as an, enemy. The other assures equality of apportunity, so that everyone has, a shot at becoming rich.. And try again if they were rich and gone bankrupt. UBI will *Not* close any gaps, It will increase them. However.. The Bottom of society will live better than the current middle class. This is the way it *always* was, and will be. Thr whole Rich Vs Poor thing is no more than jealousy: *They have more than us! How dare they!* It ignores the fact that todays poor live better than many Rich did even Fifty years ago.

[@snakeman1998]

Andrew Yang's "Freedom Dividend" is a mix of strong capitalism and small UBI. It will work for the USA and will help unite our country. I now support Presidential candidate Andrew Yang and his vision of UBI.

[@danny1234567890100]

終於知道基本收入屬於公共政策，推 趕快實行我們的下一代會更好

[@movieguy992]

But we've had technology take jobs before and we always find new ones people say. Umm no we this time is different. You can't compare what happened in the past to whats happening today because the past never had our level of tech. You might lose your job to a new tech and try to transition to a new field only to have that field be hit by tech and your displaced again. Even if new fields are created that we can't even imagine why would we give those jobs to humans either. Humans have a finite skill set. We have already eliminated jobs that require physical strength with machines and this next revolution will eliminate the need for our mental work. After that what is left to us?

[@satchillananda]

You are right. In the past, technological revolutions were about expanding new markets. This time it's about making existing markets more efficient!

[@movieguy992]

Yes I can't think of a better way to put it. It's also not just about creating labor saving machines its about just flat out solving problems. What happens when we rapidly start curing diseases? All the jobs associated with those diseases disappear. We want disease gone but a side effect is job loss. Then you have people who say well we will all just get new jobs repairing the new tech. Im sure some people will but not enough to replace the labor lost. Consider this...a robot is created that replaces 100 hours of human labor a week...are we to expect that 120 hours of human labor will be required to repair and maintain the robot? If thats the case why did we invent the robot in the first place? Why not just do the job without it because it ended up creating more labor. The true reality is that the robot repair job will probably only require perhaps 10 hours of labor a week for the 100 hours it displaced.

[@kuriousitykat]

High level theoretical work in physics, astronomy, science in general, electro-mechanical engineering/design, programming, wetware/hardware interface (cybernetics) on one side & art, sculpture, writing, music, theatre/film/tv & other entertainment. Human to human personal touch relationship work roles. Robot/automation overseers, A lot more artisans and craftspeople making handmade traditional & neo-traditional things selling & trading with each other, re-establishment of small-scale farm holdings ie more people on land farming 30 cows or sheep ie at level sufficient to support family and have small surplus to sell to market (meat for the masses will be factory-grown but there will also be a market for the better off to have natural-grown meat just like as today with Wagyu beef and organic pestfree fruit/vegies & milk etc. Lifelong learning for the sake of learning rather than to get a specific job. Space, The Final Frontier.

[@writerinfact1768]

What is left will be that which drives a passion. For some, it may be farming, or art, music, making things. What would you be willing to do if you had to pay for permission to do it? Every individual will be able to make that choice, without having to pay for the choice. That is the power of a universal basic income.

[@alright50000]

Make UBI Guaranteed Basic Income $2500/month for every person on the earth Help Ending Poverty, Starvation, Disability, Old Age, Children, Homelessness, Health, Clean Water, Food

[@voteclassicprogressivelibe2726]

maybe not that much in the begining....let's say 1200 a month. and when more and more jobs are lost to automation, those "employers of machines" can have a modest machine labor tariff placed on their business to add to the Citizens Dividend fund and increase the monthly UBI of everyone with stability.

[@lilyblossom1240]

agree. it needs to be 2500 a month. rent/ mortgage are a huge chunk of living expense. same for food. and so on. 1000 to 1500 doesn't provide for basic needs now. that's why people working at Walmart/fast food are struggling!

[@lilyblossom1240]

I will never get those arguing for less. Stop trying to enslave yourself, free yourself instead.

[@KallePihlajasaari]

@@lilyblossom1240 The reason to argue for less is to get a foot in the door. Also price structures will change with the start of basic income and there will be those who cater for customers who have limited but STABLE means. A landlord may decide to offer a lower rent because he knows the tenant can afford to pay. People who are out of a job and want some change can easily move to those areas where housing is cheaper until they have a good job offer, this reduced demand for housing in the cities and rental prices will fall. I think the solution should be started as soon as possible and start it at any value, even below the bread line. Make it so just one segment of the population can reach freedom and the experiment will have started. Then increase it by 5% per month until 50% of the population say it is enough, that will be somewhere around the real breadline. Have it linked to tax tables so that as you earn more you pay back a bit more of your basic income. That way when half of the population no longer benefit they will say stop. Most interesting possibility that is seldom mentioned is that if you start at a low figure of say US$5 per day 150 per month or US$1800 per year you could propose the same and even fund it in small countries from the outside at the start. No more refugees in the world as it will be cheaper to live in a third-world country than take a risk to go to a first world country and suffer as a refugee on benefits where everything is expensive. Keep increasing the amount globally until there is a return of refugees. The amount of money is not as important as the fact that it is unconditional and universal. All the money will trickle up so the businesses should be clamouring for this much more, almost all businesses will gain by having more paying customers, the only ones who won't are those that are exploiting people and why should we cry for them.

[@billjoe39]

It's a good idea, but sadly it overlooks the incredible power of vested interests hard at work in America to maintain the status quo....America was founded and became a leading power by the very concept of desperation....slavery and war mongering in it's case. The military industrial complex, Big Pharma, diet industry, heck even the porn industry thrives on desperation and lack of oppurtunity.....these are trillion $ entities who don't want to see their profits decline through the expected choices a UBI will bring. Unless entities like that can be eliminated, UBI in the U.S will be enacted the very day class and racial inequality ends..... or approximately two weeks after hell freezes over.

[@filthyfrank9239]

It seems to me that implementing UBI would create rampant inflation. To fund UBI corporations and the wealthy would need to be taxed more. This in turn would drive up the cost of goods, which lowers the value of the UBI. The UBI would have to be increased to accommodate the new prices, resulting in an endless cycle of inflation.

[@lepiota1074]

So what you really say is that inflation comes from greed and selfishness from the ones that have It all and dont want to share spoils with the test... that was the real problem in the first place!!! Lets Talk serious: what incentives would have companies to mantain their businesses if they Will be the ones paying for higher costs when they can simply retire and live forever and ever with the UBI holidays, far away from stress and pressure? That paradigm cannot endure for very long time,so there must be a big incentive for businesses to keep going,and if corporations accept or even promote UBI(like Facebook is doing), there must be a huger dividend for them in the near Horizon....those Who worked so hard to accumulate most of the world's resources wont simply give part of them to us in a kind manner...beware of the giver!!!

[@jamaalfridge]

My only question: how do we afford and adequately finance it? If this is something only rich countries can barely pull off, I don't think it would serve as a sufficient model for the world.

[@p0lyf0nisk]

I get the feeling that you're underestimating how much resources actually are avaliable, and the rate of development.

[@jamaalfridge]

What I mean is, GDP per capita is about 46k a year for every man woman and child. That assumes no taxes, no corporate profit, just evenly split cash. How much then should the government tax corporations? How much tax revenue could poor countries really squeeze out of their companies (and/or people) to satisfy the basic income needs? How much would also have to be spent on government programs like education, health care, infrastructure, etc? Would the basic income become too much of a financial burden? If I'm underestimating how many resources we have, that's fine. But I need more details and more numbers. Right now I'm in China, and while basic income sounds great on the surface, I can't just think of the "have" countries, but also the "have not" countries, especially those with large populations. (For instance, would basic income become an incentive for people to reproduce at unbearable levels?)

[@Edwardsblackk]

The more money you have the less likely it is that you'll have more children. The reason poor people have so much children is because of poverty, which lessens opportunity and education. Give people the basics of life and they will endeavor to do more than reproduce.

[@ryo-kai1938]

@Jamaal Fridge My "crazy theory" is this: With Unconditional Basic Income, there's no need for welfare, which pretty much means it's paid for already in the "have" countries. On top of that, since UBI is given to everyone, there's no need to pay mediators even more to enforce all the criteria required to collect subsidized assistance as it's set up today. Micromanaging is expensive and completely unnecessary with this new idea. Another crazy theory: those who empathize most strongly with the poor anywhere in the world are people who have been there and can relate. With UBI, a percentage of the previously impoverished people in developed countries will naturally turn to helping the less fortunate EVERYWHERE in the world because they suddenly can. And we all probably know how far a little money goes in "have not" countries!

[@mouthpiece200]

All countries can afford basic income. Its just that what counts as "basic" in one country might be different for another.

[@DaveWard-xc7vd]

If your mother had put off having children until she was well trained and financially solvent she would not have needed the handout.

[@matthewarnold4557]

you must be a hit at parties.

[@cliff6630]

Does anyone consider inflation? Will this be given to citizens only? How much is $1,000 worth if everyone has it? Yes, We have record high unemployements now. I just wish both sides spoke on this more. Because it can be manipulated if the wrong side does...

[@genfari9522]

There was a time we had Price Controls. We may need that again if this happens.

[@Kennan_Davis]

Gen Fari price controls?! You mean like communist nations that end in complete disaster? My oh my people are so clueless!!! To seriously advocate for price controls.

[@richardsmiths6605]

Andrew Yanf for president

[@melissaanderson5204]

so what when.. is this going to be.. this basics.. income.. what I don't like IS that isn't going through.. and so.. it didn't go through in Winnipeg why do don't know but.. now this is Astrod is coming and the world is expensive too expensive and why because the elites.. are controlled the world...and for what.. we are in poverty and now I'm just going through the motions of the event

[@cmoulden78]

did he compare humans to horses???

[@writerinfact1768]

(TIC) Do you have a problem with that? Some of my very favorite people are horses!

[@GWARDLE]

Giant, nomadic populations are sprouting up in big cities all across the world, and nobody knows what to do about it; except make more homeless shelters. I have watched a few of these videos, but not sure how, or where they're going to get the money for this.... by taxing the rich?

[@Kennan_Davis]

Taxing the rich to fund something like this is impossible. People in support of Universal Basic Income live in a fantasy land.

[@lukegrove7377]

@@Kennan_Davis Taxing the rich to fund something like this is impossible? Explain how? Show us the numbers that demonstrate that "taxing the rich.....is impossible" - show us the MATH as Yang says. Fantasy land? LOL every single invention Humanity has EVER created began in Fantasy Land. When Humans first figured out how to harness fire, it required someone to imagine such a thing was actually possible, and then think about how to actually do it. When the Wright Brothers figured out human powered flight, it first required them - and quite a few other people - to imagine that such a thing was actually possible and then think about how to actually do it. When Humans put one of their own on our nearest satellite, it first required them to imagine that such a thing was actually possible and then think about how to actually do it. Give me an example of a single Human invention that ever occurred without first living in that Fantasy Land and coming from that place to develope said invention. Your entire argument is literally nonsense. Have a nice day!

[@thatisabsolutelykooooge2211]

Anyone that says that freedom and peace of mind will lead to negatives need to see a therapist; Seems like the DARK TETRAD is not their best friend!

[@DaveWard-xc7vd]

Incompetence leads to poverty. People should take measures to become more competent. UBI will put dysgenic pressure upon society in the same way welfare has.

[@DaveWard-xc7vd]

@Bridget C I am the solution. Well Im the model for the solution. I HAVE A PLAN. Do yourself a favor and get one.

[@Nept3rius]

The happiest, most well educated and innovating populations come from countries with a good welfare.

[@Adambrown-ih4us]

Noooo disrespect but y ur mother have 7 kids if ur low income family y have more kids !!! SORRY IRRESPONSIBLE HAPPY U DID WELL BUT HOW DID U EAT GO TO SCHOOL WITH 7 brother & sisters u got help from govt being 7 kids 😳😳😳😳😳