Why self directed education and basic income need each other

My mum always told me that if you want something done you should ask a busy person to do it, which was confusing to me as a child but I now realise exactly what she meant. I work, probably too much, on a lot of different projects but they all have a common thread of freedom and social justice.

In addition to my work in education, I’m the co-founder of UBI Lab Bristol, which is part of the UBI Lab Network. We’re campaigning for a universal basic income (UBI) trial in our city because we believe it will contribute to a fairer and more equitable society. A study from last year showed that a UBI costing less than the current benefits system could eliminate absolute poverty in the UK.

Personally, I also think UBI is inevitable. Automation is coming and will do away with a huge number of jobs. We need to find a better way to redistribute resources. Someone in the UBI Lab Network told me that he thinks the potential mental health crisis from this changing relationship with work is one of the greatest challenges of our movement because he worries that people won’t know what to do with their lives without full time employment. If I didn’t agree before the mass confessions of boredom during lockdown I certainly do now.

Self directed education creates motivated, lifelong learners, who have the inner resources to construct their own meaningful lives based on their own values, interests and aptitudes. Young people who learn in this way don’t need the rails of a standardised education system, followed by a standardised working life. The don’t tend to go into the “bullshit jobs” that create environmental destruction, societal harm and psychological distress. If you’re interested in finding out more about why this is I’d recommend the book Drive by Daniel H. Pink.

On the other hand, many families (more than ever since the pandemic began) would love to give their children a different experience from the outdated and unevidenced factory model of schooling that has come clearly into view during the lockdown periods. This isn’t possible for a huge number due to financial constraints. A UBI would facilitate the kind of 21st century learning that all young people could thrive with.

A recent trial from Finland showed that not only did a basic income improve financial and mental wellbeing, it also increased employment. This doesn’t surprise me at all. People want to live meaningful lives and they are willing to work hard to create that, given the opportunity to do so. Most of my work is unpaid and as a result my income is low. I could absolutely get more or better paid work but would far rather earn less and work on projects I wholeheartedly believe in and hope will make the world a better place. I don’t think I’m unusual in this but I do think I have had the privilege to make this a reality and I think everyone deserves that.

Artemis D. Bear, Founder of The Garden