Posted in Disclaimer, Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged AI, American Politics, Assumptions, Conversation, Democratic Society, Disclaimer, Economics, John Mac Ghlionn, Mass Unemployment, Opinion: The US is headed for mass unemployment - and no one is prepared, Other Blogs, Philosophy, Public Policy, Quotes, Reality, Social Consequences, UBI, Universal Basic Income, Waiting on January 30, 2026|
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| I say this reluctantly, but honestly. Before AI, my opposition to universal basic income was rooted in a world that no longer exists. I assumed work would always be available for those willing to do it. That assumption is now obsolete. Not because people are lazy, but because machines are becoming capable faster than institutions can adapt. |
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| The most dangerous response is to pretend this is a liberal argument, detached from objective reality. It is not. The social consequences of mass displacement — crime, despair, radicalization, resentment — spread. They destabilize everything conservatives claim to want to conserve. |
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| We are approaching a moment where the question is no longer whether AI will replace jobs, but how a democratic society survives when it does. That conversation needs to begin now, while there is still time to shape policy deliberately rather than in panic. The country is already near a breaking point, marked by diminishing trust in institutions, the presidency and even one another. Some will argue that things could improve. They might, but it’s increasingly unlikely. For that reason, waiting is a luxury the country no longer has. |
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| — John Mac Ghlionn |
| Mr. Ghlionn is a writer and researcher who explores culture, society and the impact of technology on daily life. |
| His article is titled: “Opinion: The US is headed for mass unemployment, and no one is prepared“ |
| The specific address of the opinion / article: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/opinion-the-us-is-headed-for-mass-unemployment-and-no-one-is-prepared/ar-AA1Vl2QB?ocid=msedgntp&pc=W069&cvid=697d0549e36c4517924ecdee07a57231&ei=30 |
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| [Disclaimer: The quote above is an extract from a copyrighted opinion piece which appears in full at the specified link. I found the whole essay interesting and wanted to make my blog followers aware of it in case they might also be interested. I am making no claim of ownership and will edit or remove this quote / extract if requested by Mr. Ghlionn or the owner of the original site. — kmab] |
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| Click here (30 January) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts. |
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