Basically, what I'm seeing here is that some are arguing that we should implement a system that totally ignores basic economic principle and experience in order to prepare for a hypothetical future, where computers have progressed to the point they can essentially think for themselves and replace the guiding human mind.
While I see that many jobs in fabrication are likely to be replaced by machines, I don't see machines ever being capable of replacing the human decision maker. For example, a pre-fab home will require less labour, as things like drywall installation will be a thing of the past, but we'll still need a human to work customer service with the unhappy customer who's drywall is a shade lighter of white than expected.
If computers do progress to the point they can make their own decisions, your essentially talking about self-awareness. In which case, we should focus our efforts on genetically engineering our own John Connor.....
Unfortunately, I just doing see a UBI fulfilling its goals. The implementation of a UBI is also likely only to further take our economy down the wrong path. The government needs to focus on making entrepreneurship more accessible. This means lower taxes for the middle class, more access to capital and labour, and correction of the wealth imbalance between the baby boomers and everyone else. Canada needs a dynamic economy that focuses on building service and technology sectors. Anything that further hampers the innovative and/or entrepreneurial spirit is counterproductive.
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