Why Universal Basic Income is Necessary
Universal basic income (UBI) is necessary in the age of data, crypto, and tech giants. The world is undergoing a rapid transformation driven by the convergence of data, crypto, and tech giants. These three forces are reshaping the economy, society, and politics in unprecedented ways. They are also creating a new class of ultra-rich individuals and corporations that wield enormous power and influence over the rest of us.
Data
Data is the new oil, as the saying goes. It is the fuel that powers the digital economy and the source of value creation and extraction. Those who own, control, and analyze data have a huge advantage over those who don’t. They can use data to optimize their products, services, and operations, to target and influence consumers and voters, and to gain insights and intelligence that others lack.
Cryptocurrency
Crypto is the new money, as some argue. It is the alternative to the traditional fiat currency system that is plagued by inflation, corruption, and inefficiency. Those who adopt, invest, and innovate in crypto have a huge opportunity to increase their wealth, freedom, and security. They can use crypto to bypass intermediaries, regulators, and gatekeepers, to access new markets and networks, and to protect their assets and privacy.
Technology Firms
Tech giants are the new empires, as some fear. They are the dominant players in the digital economy and the masters of data and crypto. Those who run, work for, or partner with tech giants have a huge privilege over those who don’t. They can use tech giants to leverage their scale, network, and brand, to access resources and opportunities, and to shape the rules and norms of the digital world.
Universal Basic Income
These three forces are creating a massive gap between the haves and the have-nots, the winners and the losers, the insiders and the outsiders. They are also undermining the social contract, the democratic process, and the common good. They are eroding the foundations of a fair, inclusive, and sustainable society.
This is why universal basic income (UBI) is necessary in the age of data, crypto, and tech giants. UBI is a policy that provides every citizen with a regular, unconditional, and sufficient amount of money, regardless of their income, employment, or status. UBI is a way to redistribute some of the wealth and power that are concentrated in the hands of the few to the many. UBI is a way to ensure that everyone has a basic level of dignity, security, and freedom in the digital age.
All in all…
UBI is not a panacea, nor a silver bullet. It is not a substitute for other policies and reforms that are needed to address the challenges and opportunities of the digital transformation. It is not a free lunch, nor a handout. It is a smart investment, and a human right. It is a way to empower people, not to make them dependent. It is a way to unleash human potential, not to stifle it.
It is the future, not a fantasy. It is already being tested and implemented in various countries and regions around the world, with promising results and positive impacts. It is already being supported and advocated by various thinkers and leaders across the political, economic, and social spectrum. It is already being demanded and expected by the public, especially the younger generations.
UBI is necessary, not optional. It is the best way to ensure that everyone benefits from the digital revolution, not just the few. It is the best way to ensure that everyone has a stake and a voice in the digital society, not just the powerful. It is the best way to ensure that everyone can pursue their dreams and aspirations in the digital world, not just the privileged.
It is the way forward, not backward. It is the way to create a more fair, inclusive, and sustainable society in the age of data, crypto, and tech giants.
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