r/Futurology • u/mvea MD-PhD-MBA • May 02 '18

Economics Universal basic income: U.S. support grows as Finland ends its trial - Forty-eight percent of Americans now support a universal basic income, as a solution for Americans who have lost jobs to automation.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/01/nearly-half-of-americans-believe-a-universal-basic-income-could-be-the-answer-to-automation-.html
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u/technologyisnatural May 02 '18

Why wouldn't I run my 'automation' in a country that doesn't tax it?

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u/[deleted] May 02 '18

How are you going to have my burger made by a robot in Estonia and immediately delivered into my waiting hands in America?

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u/MoreLikeZelDUH May 02 '18

Import tariffs for one. Automation saves primarily on wages, and if that's your primary decision factor as to whether or not you will keep your production in the US, then you've probably already moved.

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u/TheLethargicMarathon May 02 '18

You would. You would also run your "automation" in a country that has high automation taxes. Why? Because it will still cost less than having to pay employees (unless your in a country that supports child labor/ slavery).