What if we each got money just for being human?
The idea of a basic income or universal allotment is not really a new one. In some form or another, it has been debated publicly for hundreds of years. The idea is to encourage human flourishing, increase innovation, and reduce suffering. If people don't have to worry about their BASIC needs, then they are given freedom to explore passions, seeks self improvement and success, or commit to public service.
It is by no means an easy thing to implement. How does the system remain funded? How would this effect the cost of living? What is to be said about our need for some kind of significance through work? These are questions that need to be worked out if someone intends to be taken seriously.
As we draw closer and closer to automation and machine learning making human labor cost prohibitive, the threat of massive joblessness is being felt. The fact is, automation and AI will not just effect low-wage or manual labor jobs. My job, as a lawyer, will be significantly impacted as well. Human lawyers may not be replaced, but the workforce will be reduced. Already, what used to take a team of five young lawyers a week, is now being done by computer algorithms in an hour. More or less for free. Computers are more accurate, faster, and cheaper.
Depressed yet? Well keep reading.
We're at this really ridiculous and hilarious time where people are trying to use blockchain technology to solve just about every problem they can think of. And I don't even want to talk about Long Island Ice Blockchain, or whatever they are calling themselves now.
In this space where even the absurd can gain traction, Mannabase seeks to tackle UBI.
It is a pretty simple premise: any person can sign up for free. Every verified individual receives regular distributions of Manna (the native cryptocurrency). Each person receives equal distributions as all other recipients. The distributions are funded through a combination of a reserve of initial starting coins and a preset inflation rate of 3.5%.
The group behind the project is the People's Currency Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit in the US. They started this project under the name GrantCoin. That ran as a successful pilot, distribution roughly $250,000 worth of cryptocurrency to over 3,000 distinct individuals.
If you're interested in signing up here is my referral link: https://www.mannabase.com/?ref=b6b362152a
I get a little bonus if you use it, but don't feel obligated. You do you.
If you do sign up, make sure you activate your UBI distributions. You just have to click a button on the dashboard page. Next distribution is on March 1st, 2018.
EDIT: To receive the free distribution you need to FULLY register. If they didn't text you a code, then you're not done. AFTER THAT, there is a green "sign up for UBI" button on your dashboard. You need to click that. Sorry if that was not clear.
This could definitely go nowhere real quick. But you carry zero risk, so that's nice. One thing I am really interested in is the "Children's Savings Program" mentioned in the White Paper. The system allows you to create unique accounts for each of your children, from birth. They will receive distributions like everyone else and will be given access to the funds on their 18th birthday. Having five young kids myself, that is pretty exciting.
I like innovation. I like when people smarter than myself try to build something for the benefit of others. I like dreaming about the future as a place to look forward to. Let's do our best to make that happen.
Be blessed,
~Sam
Image Source: Field.
Recent Posts:
The Weight of Quiet: 15 Minute Free Write
You've Become My Safe Space—Original Poetry
Steps of Healing # 2: I Will Rise From The Ashes
Steps of Healing #1: My Symbol
Like most of you, I have been trying to build my Steemit account and community. It can take a lot of work to get started, but you are not without resources!
Steem Follower
Steem Engine
