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Discussion on: How does being a programmer affects your world view?

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vtrpldn profile image
Vitor Paladini

Yeah, my wife is a government worker and I have similar stories. It's interesting (if not a bit scary) to think about how much work can already be automated and the social consequences of doing so.

We still have elevator operators where I live. It feels inhumane for someone to be trapped into a metal box, pushing buttons 8 hours a day to make a living but, at the end of the day, they probably don't have much better alternatives around here :(

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dmiller72 profile image
David Miller

Or , maybe there are alternatives, but they benefit from the intangibles (like meeting and conversing with people) the job provides. An elevator operator can unwittingly become your therapist. lol

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vtrpldn profile image
Vitor Paladini

I think you just gave me an idea for a short story, haha

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antonrich profile image
Anton

What do you think about UBI (Universal Base Income) then? I like the alternative that was suggested by Naval Ravinkat on Joe Rogan podacst. Is to have have Base Services instead of UBI. Because, you know, some people just can't spend their money right.

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vtrpldn profile image
Vitor Paladini

I'm not familiar with Base Services, would that be something like the nordic model? I'm not well versed in the macroeconomic aspect of it but I really like the idea of a Universal Basic Income and I'm excited with recent studies about its effectiveness.

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antonrich profile image
Anton

UBI will, I think, definitely work with people who already have some "money skills". Now let's the low part of the society. Junkies and alcoholics, what do they do with money? I think people like that should receive base services (food, grooming, etc.).

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vtrpldn profile image
Vitor Paladini

That makes sense, redirecting some part of the UBI money into some kind of recovery program for vulnerable people sounds like a better idea.

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vitalcog profile image
Chad Windham

It feels inhumane for someone to be trapped into a metal box, pushing buttons 8 hours a day to make a living

I mean, replace metal box with cubicle and you've literally just described being a software developer at a lot of large companies...