I do think that SBI could be a much better solution to the current social welfare system.
We currently have one that disincentives people to work and is spread across so many channels that it is impossible to monitor.
I think we could have a much better system with an SBI that you could build on through work or community initiatives with a lot less cost to monitor. If implemented in the right way but that still covers all of our citizens and gives them the option of a good life. Unfortunately drink and drugs will still prevent a lot from doing this but anybody who wanted to could have it.
Everyone needs propose and meaning in their lives. Idle hands and all that.
It's just not as easy for everyone to find their purpose or to be happy in their own skins. Work often is a way to find purpose.
A full scale social experiment on UBI would be very interesting indeed but i generally am of the view that extremes never work. A hybrid or partial approach might be the optimal solution. Lets see what the fallout from the pup will be in Ireland and how the other ubi proposals pan out. Also lets see what blockchain brings to the table.