As Ireland’s $1,500-a-month basic income pilot program for creatives nears its end in February, officials have to answer a simple question: Is it worth it?
With four months to go, they say the answer is yes.
Earlier this month, Ireland’s government announced its 2026 budget, which includes “a successor to the pilot Basic Income Scheme for the Arts to begin next year” among its expenditures.
Ireland is just one of many places experimenting with guaranteed basic income programs, which provide recurring, unrestricted payments to people in a certain demographic. These programs differ from a universal basic income, which would provide payments for an entire population.
You’re not allowed to listen to music, watch movies, read books or look at pictures now. Because they are useless.
Or decorate your home, or paint your walls anything but flat grey, or even wear any clothes that are anything more than utilitarian. Because anything for style is artistic, and therefore useless.
It’s the tech Taliban. Only engineering allowed.