David Frayne Reading
What is the name of David Frayne's book called (published in 2015)?
The Refusal of Work
What is the name of Kathi Weeks' book called (published in 2011)?
The Problem With Work
Where does Kathi Weeks teach?
Professor at Duke University
What is the definition of work?
Employment or paid work
What is Universal Basic Income (UBI)?
“A universal basic income (UBI) is a fixed amount, at a level sufficient for subsistence, given by the state to all its citizens regardless of income or work status”
What are “escapes” used for? (Hint: pg. 7)
Allow short periods of respite or a momentary glimpse of freedom, generally embody a superficial kind of liberty.
How does Kathi Weeks describe basic income? (Hint: pg. 1)
"Basic income is an income paid unconditionally to individuals regardless of their family or household relationships, regardless of other incomes, and regardless of their past, present, or future employment status (van Parijs 1992, 3).
Kathi Weeks speaks on paid holidays and vacation days in her interview. Which country is the lowest?
United States
What should we remove from the center of our lives?
Work
How much would it cost to distribute $10,000 UBI to all U.S. citizens?
$3.2 trillion
What does the life plan map out? (Hint: pg. 1)
Our existence.
What is the most provocative aspect of the demand for basic income today? (Hint: pg. 146)
Anti-asceticism
Do U.S. workers work harder and longer than other countries?
Yes (1:20)
What is a "policy" problem with Post-work?
"UBI can be used politically to argue against public social programs and unions"
What are the arguments against UBI?
- disincentives productivity and work
- Governments won't be able to secure funds
- Leads to inflation
According to David Frayne, how should we view work and our autonomy?
We should refuse work and exercise our autonomy to choose our way of life
What does Kathi Weeks advocate for?
Universal basic income & a 30 hour work week w/ no reduction in pay
What is Kathi Weeks in demand for? (Hint: 7:58 in interview)
Shorter working hours
What is an "ethical" problem with Post-work?
"Post-work has an individualistic view of the self, and values giving as many liberties as possible"
What are some of the countries running trial programs for UBI?
The Netherlands, Kenya, India, Switzerland, Finland, and France
What are the 3 forms of “escapes"?
Role-distancing, cynicism and dis-identification
What kind of universal basic income does Kathi support as a post work theorist?
Sufficient, unconditional, and continuous
What was the typical # of hours per labour, recreation, and rest in the video? (Hint: 7 mins into interview)
8
What policies enable people to choose who they want to become and what they want to do with their lives?
(a) universal basic income (UBI)
(b) funding to advance technology to automate undesirable income
What is one of the arguments for UBI (the most beneficial)?
The elimination of households living below the poverty line