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stale2002

If the whole game is zero sum, then thats great! The solution to a zero sum game is easy. Redistribute wealth from everyone so that everyone is equally happy.

There is no need to worry about innovation or discouraging people from working. Its zero sum, so we may as well go with the fair solution of 100% income redistribution and 100% basic income.

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If you were optimizing for happiness only and had no ethical concerns about methods, then yes, a very flat or close to flat distribution is likely optimal.

Like you, I believe that there are things more important from the perspective of society than mean happiness.

What could possibly be more important than happiness?

survival

Well then why do you bring up happiness in the first place?

Alright, fine, happiness doesn't matter it's these other things that matter, like preventing starvation.

UBI seems like it would do a great job of solving starvation, and is certainly not zero sum.

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