OpenResearch released the first results of the most comprehensive study on giving unrestricted cash grants to impoverished Americans. Researchers say it will flame both sides of the debate over welfare.
  • wreckedcarzz@lemmy.worldEnglish
    28·
    4 months ago

    As someone well below the poverty level (thanks, social “security”), fucking DUH. Someone handed me 1k a month it would literally double my income and let me pay off debt, which would improve my situation substantially. Nobody in a shit situation barely making things work month after month is like “aw yeah, time for new clothes and a makeover for my #insta”. Anyone could have predicted that outcome.

    • Prox@lemmy.world
      15·
      4 months ago

      Yes, “duh,” but this type of experimentation is important to PROVE the approach is sound. Tons of detractors claim/purport that UBI will result in people spending their “free” (not actually free) money on frivolous bullshit, and know we have data to the contrary.

    • ApatheticCactus@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      4 months ago

      Yes, but then ONE person is going to blow it on something stupid, post it online, and be the example for the justification for the entire program to be shut down.

    • lolcatnip@reddthat.comEnglish
      3·
      4 months ago

      Anyone with a functioning brain could have predicted that outcome, but a lot of people have other predictions nonetheless.

    • morphballganon@lemmynsfw.comEnglish
      1·
      4 months ago

      Nobody in a shit situation barely making things work month after month is like “aw yeah, time for new clothes and a makeover for my #insta”

      Well, no, not nobody. There are some idiots out there.

  • shani66@ani.social
    14·
    4 months ago

    We’ve known what happens when you just give people money for decades, it has always had positive outcomes

  • Kairos@lemmy.today
    11·
    4 months ago

    The title says “people” but the article immediately says “the poorest Americans”…

    Yeah so of course they’re gonna use it for essentials instead of a boost. Probably nice knowing they won’t be out on the streets if they’re out of a job, though.

  • remotelove@lemmy.ca
    722·
    4 months ago

    Cocaine and hookers. That is what I would do with free money. That, or I would invest in a 5-axis CNC machine. It’s a toss up, TBH.

    I don’t need to read the article to tell you that three things usually happen: People accelerate their debt accumulation or they pay down their existing debt. A precious few invest or save because they have little debt to start with.

    I guess I’ll read the article now.

    Edit: Oh yeah. There is that thing were some people actually need to eat, like now. I forgot about that bit.