Discussion (491 points, 69 days ago, 514 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45590900

I find research like this a bit confusing. "Providing people with unconditional monthly payments improves mental well-being" feels almost self-evident. Most people’s mental health would improve with more financial security. I have a decent income, and even I would feel better with an extra $1,500 a month.

Make no mistake, this is not UBI. It is welfare/subsidisation by the taxpayer who actually brings in income. UBI is, well, universal. "UBI" that is not universal is welfare.

think of this as an anti gentrification plan to maintain art slums where despair is metaphysical and self inflicted, and salvation is found in the creative output, that only comes from that struggle, and with no space between the grind to keep a place to sleep and eat, and the street, then there is another, different kind of despair