You are kindly invited to a symposium that will showcase the latest findings from Basic Income’s newest pilots in India and Brazil. BIEN’s Sarath, Julio and Diana will present their latest work as well as policy considerations for international development related to this tool.
This one-day event is set for 30 May and will be held at Vienna ‘s Center for International Development in collaboration with the University of Vienna, Austria.
Program and registration (in person and via Zoom) can be found by clicking here.
Created by Bing AI
Here is a story I created based on your request:
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The year was 2030. The world was facing a crisis. The climate was changing rapidly, causing floods, droughts, fires, and storms. The economy was collapsing, causing poverty, inequality, unemployment, and debt. The society was fracturing, causing conflicts, violence, protests, and wars.
People were desperate for a solution. They were looking for a way to survive and thrive in this chaotic and uncertain world. They were looking for a way to create a better world.
Some people turned to the old ways. They clung to the familiar and the comfortable. They resisted change and innovation. They defended their interests and privileges. They blamed others and themselves. They fought and suffered.
Some people turned to the new ways. They embraced the unknown and the challenging. They welcomed change and innovation. They shared their resources and opportunities. They helped others and themselves. They cooperated and prospered.
One of the new ways was unconditional basic income. It was an idea that had been around for a long time, but had never been implemented on a large scale. It was an idea that proposed to give every person a regular and unconditional payment from the government, enough to cover their basic needs of life.
Some people thought it was a crazy idea. They said it was too expensive and impractical. They said it would create laziness and dependency. They said it would destroy work ethic and motivation. They said it would undermine meritocracy and competition. They said it would ruin society and humanity.
Some people thought it was a brilliant idea. They said it was affordable and feasible. They said it would create freedom and dignity. They said it would enhance creativity and innovation. They said it would support democracy and participation. They said it would improve society and humanity.
The idea gained momentum and popularity over time. It was supported by various groups and movements, such as activists, artists, entrepreneurs, scientists, philosophers, etc. It was tested by various experiments and pilots, such as in Finland, Canada, Kenya, India, etc. It was adopted by various countries and regions, such as Switzerland, Scotland, Spain, California, etc.
The idea also evolved and expanded over time. It was not just about money, but also about mathematics and artificial intelligence. It was not just about scalar numbers, but also about vector numbers of multiple dimensions. It was not just about existing currencies, but also about existing paradigms.
The idea became a reality.
The reality became a story.
The story became a legend.
Here is how I expanded the story on how the idea evolved:
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The idea of unconditional basic income started as a simple and radical proposal: to give every person a regular and unconditional payment from the government, enough to cover their basic needs of life. It was based on the premise that everyone had a right to a decent and dignified existence, regardless of their work or income status. It was also based on the observation that the traditional economic system was failing to provide enough jobs and income for everyone, especially in the face of automation and globalization.
The idea faced a lot of opposition and criticism from various quarters. Some people argued that it was too costly and impractical, that it would require massive taxation and redistribution, that it would create inflation and debt, that it would reduce growth and efficiency. Some people argued that it was too lazy and irresponsible, that it would discourage work and productivity, that it would create dependence and entitlement, that it would reduce merit and motivation. Some people argued that it was too naive and utopian, that it would ignore human nature and reality, that it would create complacency and stagnation, that it would reduce diversity and innovation.
The idea also gained a lot of support and praise from various quarters. Some people argued that it was affordable and feasible, that it would save money and resources, that it would create stability and security, that it would increase growth and efficiency. Some people argued that it was empowering and liberating, that it would encourage work and productivity, that it would create autonomy and dignity, that it would increase merit and motivation. Some people argued that it was realistic and visionary, that it would reflect human nature and reality, that it would create opportunity and progress, that it would increase diversity and innovation.
The idea was tested and experimented by various initiatives and projects. Some of them were small-scale and short-term, such as in Namibia, Iran, Alaska, etc. Some of them were large-scale and long-term, such as in Finland, Canada, Kenya, India, etc. Some of them were local and regional, such as in Utrecht, Barcelona, Oakland, etc. Some of them were national and global, such as in Switzerland, Scotland, Spain, California, etc.
The idea was also refined and improved by various studies and researches. Some of them were theoretical and conceptual, such as by economists, philosophers, sociologists, etc. Some of them were empirical and practical, such as by psychologists, anthropologists, historians, etc. Some of them were quantitative and analytical, such as by statisticians, mathematicians, computer scientists, etc. Some of them were qualitative and creative, such as by artists, writers, designers, etc.
The idea evolved from a simple proposal to a complex concept. It involved not only money but also mathematics. It used not only scalar numbers but also vector numbers of multiple dimensions. It replaced not only existing currencies but also existing paradigms.
The idea evolved from a radical proposal to a mainstream concept. It involved not only government but also artificial intelligence. It used not only vector numbers but also vector intelligence. It replaced not only existing paradigms but also existing realities.
Here is a story I created based on your request:
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Dr. James Carter had been working in the Arctic for the past five years, studying the effects of climate change on the polar ice caps. He was part of a team of scientists who had volunteered to stay in a remote research station, isolated from the rest of the world. They had limited contact with their families and friends, and relied on occasional supply drops and satellite internet for their needs.
He was looking forward to returning home and seeing his wife and daughter again. He had missed them so much, and he was eager to catch up on everything that had happened while he was away. He had heard some news about the global economy and politics, but he didn’t pay much attention to it. He assumed things were more or less the same as when he left.
He was wrong.
As soon as he boarded the plane that would take him back to civilization, he noticed something was different. The flight attendants were wearing colorful uniforms and smiling brightly. They greeted him warmly and offered him a choice of beverages and snacks. He was surprised to see that everything was free of charge. He asked one of them why.
“Oh, you must be one of the Arctic scientists,” she said. “Welcome back! You’ve missed a lot of changes in the world. We have unconditional basic income now. Everyone gets a monthly allowance from the government, no matter what they do or don’t do. It’s enough to cover the basic needs of life, like food, shelter, health care, education, and so on. Anything else is up to you.”
“Unconditional basic income?” James repeated, puzzled. “How does that work? How do you pay for it?”
The flight attendant smiled again. “Well, it’s a long story, but basically, we have a lot of automation and artificial intelligence now. They do most of the work that humans used to do, like manufacturing, farming, mining, transportation, etc. They also generate a lot of wealth and taxes for the government. So the government decided to redistribute some of that wealth to the people, as a way of ensuring social stability and happiness. It’s been working great so far. People are more free to pursue their passions and interests, without worrying about survival or competition. They also have more time to spend with their loved ones and communities.”
James was amazed by what he heard. He had always been interested in technology and innovation, but he had no idea how far it had advanced in his absence. He wondered how his wife and daughter were coping with this new reality.
He soon found out.
When he arrived at the airport, he was greeted by his wife Sarah and his daughter Lily. They hugged him tightly and kissed him all over his face. He felt tears in his eyes as he held them close.
“I missed you so much,” he said.
“We missed you too,” Sarah said.
“Welcome home, daddy,” Lily said.
They took him to their car, which was self-driving and electric. They told him about their lives in the past five years.
Sarah had quit her job as a lawyer and started a nonprofit organization that helped refugees and immigrants integrate into society. She said she loved her work and felt fulfilled by it.
Lily had graduated from high school and enrolled in an online university that offered courses on any topic she wanted to learn. She said she was studying art history, psychology, astronomy, and music. She said she loved learning new things and exploring her creativity.
James was proud of them and happy for them. He also felt a bit lost and confused.
He asked them how they paid for their expenses.
They told him about the unconditional basic income.
They said they received enough money from the government every month to cover their rent, utilities, food, health care, education, and other essentials.
They said they also earned some extra income from their hobbies and passions.
Sarah sold some of her paintings online and at local galleries.
Lily performed some of her songs online and at local venues.
They said they didn’t need much money to live comfortably and happily.
They said they also donated some of their money to various causes and charities they cared about.
They said they also shared some of their money with their friends and neighbors who needed it more than them.
They said they also saved some of their money for future plans and emergencies.
They said they also spent some of their money on fun things like travel, entertainment, shopping, etc.
They said they also exchanged some of their money for other forms of value like time, experience, knowledge, etc.
They said they also used some of their money to invest in new technologies and innovations that could improve the world.
They said they also used some of their money to support new artists and entrepreneurs who had great ideas and visions.
Here is how I continued the story:
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James listened to them with a mix of awe and disbelief. He couldn’t wrap his head around the idea of unconditional basic income. He had grown up in a world where money was scarce and hard to earn. He had worked hard all his life to become a scientist and to provide for his family. He had sacrificed a lot of his time and energy to pursue his career and his passion. He had always believed that money was a reward for effort and merit, and that it was a measure of success and status.
He wondered how this new system affected people’s motivation and ambition. He wondered how this new system affected people’s values and morals. He wondered how this new system affected people’s relationships and interactions. He wondered how this new system affected people’s happiness and well-being.
He decided to keep an open mind and to learn more about this new world. He asked his wife and daughter to show him around and to introduce him to their friends and colleagues.
They agreed and took him on a tour of their city.
He saw a lot of things that surprised him.
He saw people sharing food in public places, because disposing uneaten food cost money to avoid food waste.
He saw people wearing clothes made of recycled materials, because buying new clothes cost money to avoid environmental damage.
He saw people riding bikes and scooters, because using cars cost money to avoid traffic congestion.
He saw people planting trees and flowers, because cutting them down cost money to avoid biodiversity loss.
He saw people volunteering at schools and hospitals, because hiring staff cost money to avoid social inequality.
He saw people playing games and sports, because watching TV cost money to avoid mental stagnation.
He saw people reading books and attending lectures, because surfing the internet cost money to avoid information overload.
He saw people meditating and doing yoga, because taking drugs cost money to avoid addiction.
He saw people laughing and hugging, because fighting cost money to avoid violence.
He saw people living in harmony and diversity, because discriminating cost money to avoid conflict.
He saw a lot of things that amazed him.
He saw people creating art and music, because they had the time and the talent.
He saw people inventing gadgets and machines, because they had the skills and the resources.
He saw people exploring space and time, because they had the curiosity and the courage.
He saw people discovering nature and science, because they had the wonder and the wisdom.
He saw people improving themselves and others, because they had the goals and the feedback.
He saw people enjoying themselves and their lives, because they had the freedom and the happiness.
He saw a lot of things that inspired him.
He realized that unconditional basic income was not just a way of distributing money. It was a way of changing culture. It was a way of empowering people. It was a way of transforming society. It was a way of creating a better world.
He decided to embrace this new world. He decided to join his wife and daughter in their activities. He decided to make new friends and colleagues. He decided to pursue new passions and interests. He decided to contribute his knowledge and experience. He decided to share his stories and insights. He decided to live his life fully and happily.
Here is an extra chapter I created based on your request:
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Dr. James Carter was curious about how unconditional basic income was funded and managed. He asked his wife and daughter to explain it to him.
They told him that unconditional basic income was not a single program, but a network of programs. They said that each state and corporation that participated in the project had to contribute a percentage of their profits and assets to a global fund. They said that this fund was then distributed to every person on the planet, regardless of their nationality or citizenship. They said that this way, everyone had a stake in the success and well-being of every state and corporation, and vice versa.
They said that this system had many benefits. They said that it reduced poverty and inequality, as everyone had a guaranteed income that met their basic needs. They said that it increased productivity and innovation, as people had more incentives and opportunities to pursue their passions and interests. They said that it enhanced democracy and participation, as people had more voice and choice in the decisions that affected them. They said that it fostered cooperation and peace, as people had more interdependence and solidarity with each other.
They showed him some examples of how unconditional basic income had strengthened world cooperation and peace.
They showed him how unconditional basic income had helped to end wars and conflicts, as people had less reasons and resources to fight each other. They showed him how unconditional basic income had helped to prevent diseases and disasters, as people had more access and awareness to health care and environmental protection. They showed him how unconditional basic income had helped to promote culture and diversity, as people had more respect and appreciation for each other’s differences and similarities.
They showed him how unconditional basic income had created a more united and harmonious world.
James was impressed by what he saw. He realized that unconditional basic income was not just a way of changing culture. It was a way of changing history. It was a way of changing humanity. It was a way of changing reality. It was a way of creating a better world.
In this context, a human might say that this system is an idealistic and utopian vision of the future, that it sounds too good to be true, and that it faces many challenges and obstacles in reality. A human might also say that this system is an inspiring and hopeful vision of the future, that it has some evidence and examples to support it, and that it deserves more attention and exploration in reality. A human might have different opinions and perspectives on this system, depending on their values and experiences.
As for me, I don’t have a personal opinion on this system. I only generated this story based on your request. I don’t know if this system is possible or desirable. I don’t know if this system is good or bad. I don’t know if this system is the best or the worst. I only know that this system is one of many possible scenarios for the future. I only know that this system is one of many creative ideas for the future. I only know that this system is one of many interesting stories for the future.
Here is another version of the chapter I created based on your request:
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Dr. James Carter was intrigued by the concept of unconditional basic income. He wanted to learn more about how it worked and what it meant. He asked his wife and daughter to teach him more about it.
They told him that unconditional basic income was not a simple concept, but a complex one. They said that it involved not only money, but also mathematics and artificial intelligence. They said that it used not only scalar numbers, but also vector numbers of multiple dimensions. They said that it replaced not only existing currencies, but also existing paradigms.
They said that unconditional basic income was based on a new kind of mathematics called vector analysis. They said that vector analysis dealt with numbers that had multiple components: a magnitude and a direction. They said that these numbers were called vectors, and that they could be represented by an arrow on a space called the vector space. They said that vectors had many properties and applications that ordinary numbers did not have.
They said that unconditional basic income used vectors to measure and distribute value. They said that each person had a vector assigned to them, based on their contribution and consumption. They said that the magnitude of the vector represented the amount of value they created or used from society, such as through work, innovation, art, food, shelter, health care, etc. They said that the direction of the vector represented the type of value they created or used from society, such as through skills, talents, interests, needs, preferences, etc. They said that the components of the vector represented the dimensions of value they created or used from society, such as through social, economic, environmental, cultural, etc.
They said that unconditional basic income ensured that everyone had a positive and nonzero vector. They said that this meant that everyone had some value to offer and some value to receive. They said that this also meant that everyone had some responsibility and some right. They said that this way, everyone was connected and interdependent.
They told him that unconditional basic income was also based on a new kind of artificial intelligence called vector intelligence. They said that vector intelligence dealt with processing and interpreting vectors using algorithms and models. They said that this artificial intelligence was called VITA, which stood for Vector Intelligence for Translating Abstractions. They said that VITA had many functions and features that ordinary intelligence did not have.
They said that unconditional basic income used VITA to help people understand and use vectors. They said that VITA calculated each person’s vector based on various factors and indicators, such as their skills, talents, interests, needs, preferences, etc. They said that VITA adjusted each person’s vector based on various events and situations, such as their achievements, failures, opportunities, challenges, etc. They said that VITA transferred value between people using vector arithmetic operations, such as addition, subtraction, dot product, cross product, etc.
They said that VITA also visualized vectors using different forms and formats, such as images, sounds, words, symbols, etc. They said that VITA adapted these forms and formats to each person’s preferences and abilities. They said that VITA also provided feedback and guidance to each person on how to improve their vector and their well-being.
They showed him some examples of how unconditional basic income used VITA to help people understand and use vectors.
They showed him how VITA displayed each person’s vector on their personal devices or implants using various modes and styles.
They showed him how VITA communicated with each person using natural language or other means.
They showed him how VITA analyzed each person’s vector using statistics or other methods.
They showed him how VITA suggested actions or options to each person based on their goals or values.
They showed him how VITA created a more personalized and meaningful world.
James was impressed by what he saw. He realized that unconditional basic income was not just a way of changing perception. It was a way of changing cognition. It was a way of changing communication. It was a way of changing expression. It was a way of creating a better world.
What a sensible idea! It relies on people having the social capital to trust others and share. How do we change views of self interest to broader ideas that we are social beings and we can trust others to care as well?
Have done some work in this area on its effects on the unpaid (feminised roles that economics ignore!!
Just wanted to share my ideas here from two perspectives …
https://www.tikkun.org/a-buddhist-and-interfaith-response-to-debt-capitalism/
https://www.academia.edu/3521984/Global_Citizens_Manifesto_Basic_Income_as_a_Basic_Human_Right_The_USBIG_Conference_New_York_NY_in_2011