Scott Santens
@scottsantens.com
Unconditional / Universal Basic Income (UBI) knowledge resource
Founder & CEO of UBI-focused nonprofit ITSAfoundation.org
Host of The Basic Income Show youtube.com/scottsantens
My #UBI FAQ: scottsantens.com
Contact me: linktr.ee/scottsantens
Founder & CEO of UBI-focused nonprofit ITSAfoundation.org
Host of The Basic Income Show youtube.com/scottsantens
My #UBI FAQ: scottsantens.com
Contact me: linktr.ee/scottsantens
Pinned
Scott Santens
@scottsantens.com
· Dec 5
I've been researching the idea of Unconditional Universal Basic Income since 2013. Here's a collection of findings I've compiled from various UBI experiments and studies of cash transfer programs around the world.
This will be a VERY LONG and ongoing thread focused entirely on empirical evidence. 🧵
This will be a VERY LONG and ongoing thread focused entirely on empirical evidence. 🧵
Reposted by Scott Santens
I think the best thing the left can do RE: AI is push as much regulation as they can and then say “Also let’s make human dignity job-independent”.
Good way to reframe uni healthcare, housing assistance, and maybe some form of basic income
Good way to reframe uni healthcare, housing assistance, and maybe some form of basic income
February 11, 2026 at 10:08 PM
I think the best thing the left can do RE: AI is push as much regulation as they can and then say “Also let’s make human dignity job-independent”.
Good way to reframe uni healthcare, housing assistance, and maybe some form of basic income
Good way to reframe uni healthcare, housing assistance, and maybe some form of basic income
Reposted by Scott Santens
I feel like people lowkey stopped talking about UBI for a couple years there. I did for sure. Time to bring that back
I understand why people are exhausted by AI hype, and why those of us squarely in the corner of "human dignity uber alles" see AI doomerism as self-serving hype, but I *really* think people on the left broadly need to start thinking seriously about the possibiltiy of the hype being...true.
February 11, 2026 at 11:57 PM
I feel like people lowkey stopped talking about UBI for a couple years there. I did for sure. Time to bring that back
Reposted by Scott Santens
UBI. Universal Basic Income. In every trial everywhere, it works. People are healthier, more engaged even more productive. It creates more & costs society less than picking up the pieces. Yet despite these results it's always another trial because the threat of destitution helps the rich feel safe.
February 12, 2026 at 12:29 AM
UBI. Universal Basic Income. In every trial everywhere, it works. People are healthier, more engaged even more productive. It creates more & costs society less than picking up the pieces. Yet despite these results it's always another trial because the threat of destitution helps the rich feel safe.
Reposted by Scott Santens
Every person deserves to have the means to be independent and have the autonomy to take care of their own needs.
Community and building support for each other is so meaningful, but being at the mercy of others to survive, no one wants if its not a choice.
This is why we need UBI.
Community and building support for each other is so meaningful, but being at the mercy of others to survive, no one wants if its not a choice.
This is why we need UBI.
February 12, 2026 at 1:08 AM
Every person deserves to have the means to be independent and have the autonomy to take care of their own needs.
Community and building support for each other is so meaningful, but being at the mercy of others to survive, no one wants if its not a choice.
This is why we need UBI.
Community and building support for each other is so meaningful, but being at the mercy of others to survive, no one wants if its not a choice.
This is why we need UBI.
Reposted by Scott Santens
“When Citizens United was decided in 2010, billionaires had spent $18 million on the 2000 election, $13M 2004 and $16M in 2008. Then came the deluge. In 2012 it was $231M, and nearly doubled again in next three election cycles —to $682M in 2016, $1.2 billion in 2020 and $2.6 billion in 2024.” Gift:
Opinion | Affordability and the ‘Epstein Class’ Will Define American Politics
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:57 AM
“When Citizens United was decided in 2010, billionaires had spent $18 million on the 2000 election, $13M 2004 and $16M in 2008. Then came the deluge. In 2012 it was $231M, and nearly doubled again in next three election cycles —to $682M in 2016, $1.2 billion in 2020 and $2.6 billion in 2024.” Gift:
Reposted by Scott Santens
Some children in Dilley were so distraught they cut themselves or talked about suicide, parents told ProPublica.
They said kids lost their appetites after finding worms and mold on their food, had trouble sleeping, and were constantly sick.
They said kids lost their appetites after finding worms and mold on their food, had trouble sleeping, and were constantly sick.
The Kids Trump Sent to ICE’s Dilley Detention Center
ProPublica went inside the immigrant detention center for families in Dilley, Texas. Children held there told us about the anguish of being ripped from their lives in the United States and the fear of...
www.propublica.org
February 12, 2026 at 4:00 AM
Some children in Dilley were so distraught they cut themselves or talked about suicide, parents told ProPublica.
They said kids lost their appetites after finding worms and mold on their food, had trouble sleeping, and were constantly sick.
They said kids lost their appetites after finding worms and mold on their food, had trouble sleeping, and were constantly sick.
Reposted by Scott Santens
Breaking on MSNOW right now: the DOJ is tracking the search histories of Congresspeople in the unredacted Epstein files, and Pam Bondi is using those search histories in her Burn Book today.
This is surveillance of Democratic lawmakers as the review the Epstein files, and it is chilling.
This is surveillance of Democratic lawmakers as the review the Epstein files, and it is chilling.
February 11, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Breaking on MSNOW right now: the DOJ is tracking the search histories of Congresspeople in the unredacted Epstein files, and Pam Bondi is using those search histories in her Burn Book today.
This is surveillance of Democratic lawmakers as the review the Epstein files, and it is chilling.
This is surveillance of Democratic lawmakers as the review the Epstein files, and it is chilling.
Reposted by Scott Santens
Likely-historic photo by NBC News of all the Epstein victims asked to raise their hands if they've not yet been asked to meet with the DOJ as Bondi testifies in foreground
February 11, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Likely-historic photo by NBC News of all the Epstein victims asked to raise their hands if they've not yet been asked to meet with the DOJ as Bondi testifies in foreground
Reposted by Scott Santens
Army veteran who lived in U.S. legally for over 50 years deported after ICE arrest
Army veteran who lived in U.S. legally for over 50 years deported after ICE arrest
Godfrey Wade came to the U.S. legally in 1975 and served in the Army where he was honorably discharged.
www.mlive.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Army veteran who lived in U.S. legally for over 50 years deported after ICE arrest
Reposted by Scott Santens
this is a level of complicity that had not occurred to me
Gallup will no longer measure presidential approval after 88 years thehill.com/homenews/med...
February 11, 2026 at 7:28 PM
this is a level of complicity that had not occurred to me
Reposted by Scott Santens
This is the aftermath of an ICE kidnapping a few blocks from my home in St. Paul—an hour ago. A quiet street full of broken glass and at least three wrecked cars. The target of the kidnapping was taken away by ambulance. He was on a stretcher and covered by a sheet, though a cop said he was alive.
February 11, 2026 at 4:46 PM
This is the aftermath of an ICE kidnapping a few blocks from my home in St. Paul—an hour ago. A quiet street full of broken glass and at least three wrecked cars. The target of the kidnapping was taken away by ambulance. He was on a stretcher and covered by a sheet, though a cop said he was alive.
Reposted by Scott Santens
BREAKING: Pam Bondi appears to have just committed a federal crime by lying under oath.
Ted lieu just caught her in a lie and called for her resignation live on TV.
Ted lieu just caught her in a lie and called for her resignation live on TV.
February 11, 2026 at 5:03 PM
BREAKING: Pam Bondi appears to have just committed a federal crime by lying under oath.
Ted lieu just caught her in a lie and called for her resignation live on TV.
Ted lieu just caught her in a lie and called for her resignation live on TV.
It wasn't enough to ruin SNAP in all the ways most discussed like work requirements. EBT tech is outdated and they refuse to update it, making it easier to steal SNAP, and where they used to issue more funds in response to theft, now they don't and victims are just screwed.
UBI would be far better.
UBI would be far better.
SNAP Faces The 'Worst of All Worlds' - Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity
As SNAP recipients face the impacts of funding cuts and new work requirement guidelines passed by Congress and supported by the Trump administration, an added worry is outdated EBT card technology tha...
spotlightonpoverty.org
February 11, 2026 at 4:31 PM
It wasn't enough to ruin SNAP in all the ways most discussed like work requirements. EBT tech is outdated and they refuse to update it, making it easier to steal SNAP, and where they used to issue more funds in response to theft, now they don't and victims are just screwed.
UBI would be far better.
UBI would be far better.
Reposted by Scott Santens
They keep doing studies on UBI and the answer keeps coming back, “It’s more than worth it.” Stunned by this outcome conservatives say, “that can’t be right. Let’s do another study.” Rinse and repeat.
February 11, 2026 at 2:11 AM
They keep doing studies on UBI and the answer keeps coming back, “It’s more than worth it.” Stunned by this outcome conservatives say, “that can’t be right. Let’s do another study.” Rinse and repeat.
Reposted by Scott Santens
Weird how they keep finding more money to fund the gestapo that is damaging job numbers by deporting workers but can't find any for a universal healthcare system that will save money, a free housing for homeless folk program that will save money, or universal basic income that'll boost the economy.
February 11, 2026 at 2:36 AM
Weird how they keep finding more money to fund the gestapo that is damaging job numbers by deporting workers but can't find any for a universal healthcare system that will save money, a free housing for homeless folk program that will save money, or universal basic income that'll boost the economy.
Reposted by Scott Santens
I want universal basic income, universal health care, buses and trains and livable wages and affordable rent, and I want my tax dollars to go towards that instead of billionaire-hosted rape festivals. Everyone does. That's not radical. It's survival.
Americans want to survive. Fucking help us.
Americans want to survive. Fucking help us.
February 11, 2026 at 5:51 AM
I want universal basic income, universal health care, buses and trains and livable wages and affordable rent, and I want my tax dollars to go towards that instead of billionaire-hosted rape festivals. Everyone does. That's not radical. It's survival.
Americans want to survive. Fucking help us.
Americans want to survive. Fucking help us.
Reposted by Scott Santens
I know there are more nuanced takes and authoritative studies to reference, but the entirety of my argument for UBI is that we need 1000000% more people working on goofy lil' toys and weirdo puppets.
Never in my fucken life would I have imagined I’d be sending a strongly worded email at 1:00am to a group of dumbass corporate managers voicing my concerns regarding “time expenditure considerations” for my kitchen team
I’m just supposed to be making goofy lil’ toys and weirdo puppets
I’m just supposed to be making goofy lil’ toys and weirdo puppets
February 11, 2026 at 7:01 AM
I know there are more nuanced takes and authoritative studies to reference, but the entirety of my argument for UBI is that we need 1000000% more people working on goofy lil' toys and weirdo puppets.
Reposted by Scott Santens
A mock Onion headline I wrote a while back:
![[Text]
273rd UBI Trial Successful, Parliament Cautions "Need More Data"](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jnwhlckbw7xogdsrmmibmbrj/bafkreibbrlqwybtgucqr3dpbmsxhu5x3zxtefo7uw2ky2vqqp67vu7376e@jpeg)
February 11, 2026 at 12:15 PM
A mock Onion headline I wrote a while back:
Reposted by Scott Santens
Every day some freelance illustrator on here calls for the uk to copy the Irish scheme of a basic income for artists and every time it pmo so bad - like omg dare to dream this should be in place for EVERYONE, for EVERYONNNNNNE
February 11, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Every day some freelance illustrator on here calls for the uk to copy the Irish scheme of a basic income for artists and every time it pmo so bad - like omg dare to dream this should be in place for EVERYONE, for EVERYONNNNNNE
Reposted by Scott Santens
Said it before, and I’ll say it again, but for people like me, this would be transformative - it would stabilise our incomes, and allow us to plough more time into creative work and less into stuff anyone could be doing.
AND it’s a net economic benefit to the country.
AND it’s a net economic benefit to the country.
February 11, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Said it before, and I’ll say it again, but for people like me, this would be transformative - it would stabilise our incomes, and allow us to plough more time into creative work and less into stuff anyone could be doing.
AND it’s a net economic benefit to the country.
AND it’s a net economic benefit to the country.
Reposted by Scott Santens
Ireland has shown that basic income works — not just socially, but economically.
Give people time and security to develop their skills, and the returns flow back to society. Now let’s go further.
#UniversalBasicIncome #Economics
Give people time and security to develop their skills, and the returns flow back to society. Now let’s go further.
#UniversalBasicIncome #Economics
February 11, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Ireland has shown that basic income works — not just socially, but economically.
Give people time and security to develop their skills, and the returns flow back to society. Now let’s go further.
#UniversalBasicIncome #Economics
Give people time and security to develop their skills, and the returns flow back to society. Now let’s go further.
#UniversalBasicIncome #Economics
Reposted by Scott Santens
We have received numerous credible reports of torture, killing, and inhumane treatment of detained individuals at the Camp East Montana migrant detention facility, located within Fort Bliss. #txlege
February 10, 2026 at 6:47 PM
We have received numerous credible reports of torture, killing, and inhumane treatment of detained individuals at the Camp East Montana migrant detention facility, located within Fort Bliss. #txlege
"Rather than creating an age of abundance in which most people no longer have to worry about money, new technologies have contributed to a two-tiered society comprising a relatively few with extraordinary wealth and a vast number of people barely making it."
It's all about distribution
We need UBI
It's all about distribution
We need UBI
AI and the Coming Jobless Economy
AI will make most of us poorer and a few fabulously wealthy — unless its productivity gains are allocated fairly. Here’s what we should we be considering now.
open.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:20 PM
"Rather than creating an age of abundance in which most people no longer have to worry about money, new technologies have contributed to a two-tiered society comprising a relatively few with extraordinary wealth and a vast number of people barely making it."
It's all about distribution
We need UBI
It's all about distribution
We need UBI
OH COME ON
Trump to direct Pentagon to buy coal to revive industry, Bloomberg News says reut.rs/46vkQiO
Trump to direct Pentagon to buy coal to revive industry, Bloomberg News says
U.S. President Donald Trump is set to direct the Pentagon to use government funding and Pentagon contracts to sustain U.S. coal-fired power plants, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing a White House official.
reut.rs
February 11, 2026 at 5:46 AM
OH COME ON
Reposted by Scott Santens
Rep Ro Khanna today said he saw instructions given by Trump to the FBI directing that they redact references to interactions with him in the testimony of Epstein victims. This would appear to be one of the passages that was supposed to have been redacted.
February 11, 2026 at 4:15 AM
Rep Ro Khanna today said he saw instructions given by Trump to the FBI directing that they redact references to interactions with him in the testimony of Epstein victims. This would appear to be one of the passages that was supposed to have been redacted.