Andrew Yang: The People’s Champion

This is another very dumb take:

“Once you read his book, it is apparent that Andrew Yang is running for president because he is afraid of normal people.

Given that there are approximately 11 million candidates for the Democratic nomination, you could be forgiven for not having heard of Yang. He is currently polling at one percent; 59 percent of those polled have never heard of him. He has never held high office, his only claim to political fame being brief recognition by the Obama White House.

But Yang’s quixotic run has attracted attention, and a few supporters, for its far-out message. He believes that 21st-century automation is going to lead to mass technological unemployment, which will bring social disaster. That is, unless, we implement Yang’s proposed “freedom dividend”: a $1,000-per-month payout to every American ages 18 to 64, which will provide a “universal basic income” to all. …

Technological unemployment is a real problem, and likely only to grow in the next ten years. It is heartening to know that there is a candidate for president who is taking it seriously. But Yang’s solutions suggest that the only possible way out is a growth in the number of government vassals. A more robust approach—one that tries to envision how everyone can be included in 21st century work—would not be merely more sound, but far less dangerous to American liberty. …”

Yes, I am looking forward to being liberated from MIGA and drudgery, and lots of other awful things.

Note: Patrick Bateman is an excellent illustration of our sense of identity and morality under the shallow culture of late capitalism.