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Do the increasing numbers of people selling their blood plasma get included in the numbers of health care workers?

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/national-international...

It’s a scene repeated by an estimated 200,000 people a day across the country as part of a multibillion-dollar business fueled by a growing number of Americans willing to trade their blood for money in an economy where many have seen their job prospects weaken, costs rise and savings dwindle. Despite data that shows a relatively stable economy, middle-class Americans say they have had to start selling their plasma over the past year to cover basic expenses, from medical bills to a winter coat for their child.

“I’m angry that I’m working this much, that I’m educated, that I’m articulate, that I have marketable skills, and that I’m reduced to selling my plasma,” said Jill Chamberlain, in Phoenix, who has gone from making $87,000 a year to $16.11 an hour after being laid off from her job overseeing the finances of a local business in 2024. “I was ashamed at first, but now I’m angry. This is not how things are supposed to be.”

“I was ashamed at first, but now I’m angry. This is not how things are supposed to be.”

She shouldn't be ashamed. But her anger is misplaced. There really is no "how things are supposed to be". There is what the market will bear, and any distortions introduced by special favors. And maybe bad planning on her part (e.g. did she have any savings, LBYM?). Did the company go under? Not enough details to judge.

Going forward, though, I expect that it will be difficult to plan for the long term. As tech advances, and AI gets smarter, there will be less demand for headcount. Unlike other "revolutions" that resulted in net job creation, it appears automation and AI won't be doing that. They will destroy more jobs than they create.

Andrew Yang will be proven correct. But he was 10-20 years early. A UBI is inevitable, unless you want food riots.

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