&gt; The problem with basic income is that people need purpose, not charity.<p>&gt; I think we need to figure out how to empower people.<p>I don&#x27;t think anything you&#x27;ve said is incompatible with something like basic income.<p>What could be more empowering than knowing your basic needs will be taken care of?  From that position of strength you can negotiate with others based on mutual benefit rather than avoiding the consequences of not meeting your basic needs for survival.  You must be enticed into a transaction rather than coerced no matter how circumspect that coercion.<p>If people needed to be forced to add value to the world through the threat of starvation or homelessness HN wouldn&#x27;t exist.  Why would people with means continue transacting?  I don&#x27;t believe the poor are much different, they will nurture their potential and provide what they can to the world because the trade leaves them better off.