Andrew Yang

[_DoubtingThomas]

Andrew Yang is making a lot of sense. We do need A.I. to replace workers and the solution is universal basic income.

[_Dr. Shades]

Tell us more about this "Andrew Yang" fellow so we can have some context to your post.

[_Gunnar]

Andrew Yang is making a lot of sense. We do need A.I. to replace workers and the solution is universal basic income.

The idea of everything being made by A.I. reminds me of a science fiction story I read once about a topsy turvy future society where everything was manufactured by A.I. machines, and their biggest problem was what to do with all the goods produced. Each citizen had a duty to consume some minimum quota of goods, and the lower one's status in society, the more they were obligated to consume. Thus the poorest or lowest status citizens lived in the largest and most lavish mansions, owned the most numerous and most elaborate vehicles and gadgets, and were penalized if they failed to consume their obligated quota of goods. The richest or highest status citizens like doctors, lawyers, high government officials, etc. were relieved of the burden of having to possess so many things, and were permitted to live in small, simple cottages, and use bicycles and public transportation to get around, or, if they were really privileged, they were even permitted to walk to their immediate destinations rather than use a vehicle of any kind, if they were not in a hurry!

[_Jersey Girl]

Andrew Yang is making a lot of sense. We do need A.I. to replace workers and the solution is universal basic income.

What office would you assign him besides that of President or VP?

Where would you put him to work?

Wait. I have an idea for a new topic!

[_Some Schmo]

The idea of everything being made by A.I. reminds me of a science fiction story I read once about a topsy turvy future society where everything was manufactured by A.I. machines, and their biggest problem was what to do with all the goods produced. Each citizen had a duty to consume some minimum quota of goods, and the lower one's status in society, the more they were obligated to consume. Thus the poorest or lowest status citizens lived in the largest and most lavish mansions, owned the most numerous and most elaborate vehicles and gadgets, and were penalized if they failed to consume their obligated quota of goods. The richest or highest status citizens like doctors, lawyers, high government officials, etc. were relieved of the burden of having to possess so many things, and were permitted to live in small, simple cottages, and use bicycles and public transportation to get around, or, if they were really privileged, they were even permitted to walk to their immediate destinations rather than use a vehicle of any kind, if they were not in a hurry!

What an excellent metaphor (for the same reasons you and I have discussed in the past regarding the ridiculously wealthy).

ETA: Can you remember the name/author of the book?

[_Gunnar]

What an excellent metaphor (for the same reasons you and I have discussed in the past regarding the ridiculously wealthy).

ETA: Can you remember the name/author of the book?

Sorry. I don't remember either the title of the story or the name of the author. I don't think it was a full fledged novel, but rather a novelette or short story I found in a science fiction magazine. It might have been Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine or Analog. I am sure, however, that Isaac Asimov himself was not the author.

[_Gunnar]

My last post reminded me of another weird story I once read long ago in (I am fairly sure) Asimov's Magazine. It was about a planet whose monetary system was based on fissile uranium or plutonium. Because of the danger of exposure to radiation from this radioactive material, people kept their accumulated wealth and savings in a lead lined pit in their back yards. There were very few excessively wealthy people on this planet, and they did not linger long, because greed was deadly. Anyone who was pathologically greedy would eventually accumulate enough fissile material in their backyard money pits to form a critical mass, and they and their property would be destroyed in a nuclear explosion.

[_honorentheos]

What an excellent metaphor (for the same reasons you and I have discussed in the past regarding the ridiculously wealthy).

ETA: Can you remember the name/author of the book?

Sorry. I don't remember either the title of the story or the name of the author. I don't think it was a full fledged novel, but rather a novelette or short story I found in a science fiction magazine. It might have been Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine or Analog. I am sure, however, that Isaac Asimov himself was not the author.

It sounds like the Midas Plague.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/183 ... das-plague

[_Gunnar]

Yes! It was indeed The Midas Plague! Thank you, honor! I was sure that someone else on this forum would have been familiar with it and able to identify it.

[_honorentheos]

I haven't read it but it was mentioned in a non fiction book I'm fond of titled Consumed about our consumption-based, marketing driven society. I found the title in it.