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What I desire if I didn't have to work? Nothing that "requires" money.
I very much agree with you. I spent 13 years living mostly in the wilderness (spending very little) and loved it. But I think it is unlikely that everyone would be capable of enjoying it.
The bottom line is that they don't have to. There will be plenty of wealth, but most people will have no claim to it. Electronics are cheap. Housing, utilities, food, transportation, and healthcare are the big expenses for most people. The cost of all of these can be reduced quite a bit if people aren't working, and automation improves efficiency.
I think it likely that most people will live in densely populated environments and spend most of their time in VR pods.
BTW, what do you think it would cost to support your ideal non-working lifestyle? And don't forget to include healthcare, which averages >$10k/person/yr.
"healthcare" does not "cost" >$10k/year... "doctors" cost that much. drugs cost that much. "labor" from all the allied health costs that much. Remove all these and it isn't that expensive.
I would have no problems with a robotic surgeon. They already use robotics to perform surgery. If they can get the computer to perform the actions then what difference is it? Do you notice the plane flying itself in autopilot (can't use other example, i don't know where a computer controls an action for periods of time like this). The automated phlebotomist looks promising in that aspect. the lab is mostly automated as is, hire a few people and run 3-4 machines per person. It is fairly cost effective. Replace RNs with CNAs. These are all things hospitals are doing to "save costs". The savings are not being passed to the patient because the money gets "absorbed" by the hospital system. Why? Because people are "working"
a lot of the costs is due to inefficiencies and CYA by the doctors out of fear of lawsuits. They rush patients in and out to meet their own quota so they can earn enough from reimbursement payments. remove these, and healthcare doesn't have to cost that much
but my lifestyle if food/shelter/healthcare were provided? $5-10k/year. $500/month if I stay put, double that if I wanted to travel for cost of flight ticket. Realistically, I would need $2000/month to "retire" because housing/food/healthcare are not provided. Though this might not be my "luxurious" retirement, I could be happy enough with it. I've planning it out to give myself $5-10k/month in retirement... mainly because I can and because pension/social security will provide about $3-5k alone. My investments will be able to double that unless I retire early, in which case, I will learn to live on the lower end of that.
I very much agree with you. I spent 13 years living mostly in the wilderness (spending very little) and loved it. But I think it is unlikely that everyone would be capable of enjoying it.
The bottom line is that they don't have to. There will be plenty of wealth, but most people will have no claim to it. Electronics are cheap. Housing, utilities, food, transportation, and healthcare are the big expenses for most people. The cost of all of these can be reduced quite a bit if people aren't working, and automation improves efficiency.
I think it likely that most people will live in densely populated environments and spend most of their time in VR pods.
BTW, what do you think it would cost to support your ideal non-working lifestyle? And don't forget to include healthcare, which averages >$10k/person/yr.
Each individual pays 1/3 - 1/2 of their total Medicare costs. $3333 - $5000.
"healthcare" does not "cost" >$10k/year... "doctors" cost that much. drugs cost that much. "labor" from all the allied health costs that much. Remove all these and it isn't that expensive.
I would have no problems with a robotic surgeon. They already use robotics to perform surgery. If they can get the computer to perform the actions then what difference is it? Do you notice the plane flying itself in autopilot (can't use other example, i don't know where a computer controls an action for periods of time like this). The automated phlebotomist looks promising in that aspect. the lab is mostly automated as is, hire a few people and run 3-4 machines per person. It is fairly cost effective. Replace RNs with CNAs. These are all things hospitals are doing to "save costs". The savings are not being passed to the patient because the money gets "absorbed" by the hospital system. Why? Because people are "working"
a lot of the costs is due to inefficiencies and CYA by the doctors out of fear of lawsuits. They rush patients in and out to meet their own quota so they can earn enough from reimbursement payments. remove these, and healthcare doesn't have to cost that much
but my lifestyle if food/shelter/healthcare were provided? $5-10k/year. $500/month if I stay put, double that if I wanted to travel for cost of flight ticket. Realistically, I would need $2000/month to "retire" because housing/food/healthcare are not provided. Though this might not be my "luxurious" retirement, I could be happy enough with it. I've planning it out to give myself $5-10k/month in retirement... mainly because I can and because pension/social security will provide about $3-5k alone. My investments will be able to double that unless I retire early, in which case, I will learn to live on the lower end of that.
HC insurance might be on the order of $10K/yr.
As a primary care doc my fees make up about 3-4% of that. My own meds as a patient are fairly typical, and in about that same cost range. Total malpractice related costs eat up abut 2%.
Specialists and surgeons are larger than my part.
The largest percentage is found at the hospital. In and out patient.
so why do people "require" an income? Why did people decide that they "deserve" to live in comfort? If no one works/has an income, what reason could people have for having an iphone/internet/cable tv?
One thing I have noticed over the years... Apple's influence and marketing prowess are not to be underestimated. They're also very good at convincing people to buy their stuff that some of us really had no business to in the first place
Why would you favor "free" services rather than giving people money and letting them choose what they want?
because people are dumb enough to go without food if they think they can save it and buy an iphone instead ^^ or whatever their "addiction" is.
a bunch of hungry/cold people aren't good for society either
Poor people aren't the brightest people financially, why would they get "smarter" when someone is handing them money in the future? That's why I'm not in favor of handing people money. They are still going to need services anyway. When is the last time you met a "poor" person with good financial senses? I don't mean "broke" person. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-Ro...ndex=2&list=WL
@Hoonose, yeah probably. It just seems like a lot of the expenses while each only being up 2-3%, because there are so many layers to go through now, each adding 2-3%, it makes it really costly in the end. That's what I meant when I said the hospital system absorbs any cost saving from technology instead of passing it onto the patient. Great, they reduce costs in one area, but they have to fund the next department that is formed. My thinking with robotics is that it reduces all these layers since it makes it more efficient and thus the patients actually sees the cost savings themselves. I can't just "go in and see the doctor" anymore, I have to check with insurance to see if it is covered, check in with the secretary, meet with the nurse for vitals, then see the PA/MD. If I could just call and make an appointment, and go see the doctor directly, I wouldn't be "paying" for each step
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The idea that everyone would receive enough resources to be able to survive without working would solve the problem of homelessness and poverty and also pivot our cultural and economic identity.
What makes people think they can get rid of poverty by handing money out? Home/rent prices are set by what people can "pay". If I know someone gets $1k/month every month. I can set rent at $700/month in addition to what it was before they had the $1k extra. Market prices go up/down based on what people can pay. It doesn't just "go away" if people have money.
I see even libertarian tech magnates like Elon Musk are talking about basic income. These individuals are a lot more ahead of the curve then the politicians who are stuck in the 20th century claiming to bring back tons of manufacturing jobs (which most if not all have been automated or in the process of )
@Hoonose, yeah probably. It just seems like a lot of the expenses while each only being up 2-3%, because there are so many layers to go through now, each adding 2-3%, it makes it really costly in the end. That's what I meant when I said the hospital system absorbs any cost saving from technology instead of passing it onto the patient. Great, they reduce costs in one area, but they have to fund the next department that is formed. My thinking with robotics is that it reduces all these layers since it makes it more efficient and thus the patients actually sees the cost savings themselves. I can't just "go in and see the doctor" anymore, I have to check with insurance to see if it is covered, check in with the secretary, meet with the nurse for vitals, then see the PA/MD. If I could just call and make an appointment, and go see the doctor directly, I wouldn't be "paying" for each step
What makes people think they can get rid of poverty by handing money out? Home/rent prices are set by what people can "pay". If I know someone gets $1k/month every month. I can set rent at $700/month in addition to what it was before they had the $1k extra. Market prices go up/down based on what people can pay. It doesn't just "go away" if people have money.
Your medical 'steps' there are not the drivers of cost. In fact the check with the insurance co. is a road block, frequently met with a denial, and thus reduced expense if legit.
Robotics is still too early and unique in the medical world. So only a few centers offer for instance the Da Vinci machine. And it is not cheap. In fact new medical technologies frequently raise the costs of HC, not lower them as technologies tend to do in other businesses.
Moneys handed to the poor are assists and do not guarantee that they move on up. If an entire area is poor, it will surely remain blighted if they all have no money for rent. Decent housing would improve that area.
I got food stamps one summer long ago. $33 worth, and since then I've paid in $M's in taxes.
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