Sign in

Karl Widerquist

@karlwiderquist.bsky.social
2.1K followers 1.5K following 978 posts

Political philosopher & economist focused on distributive justice. Writes about Basic Income; the ethics of poverty, freedom, inequality, & other stuff. Works at Georgetown-Qatar. Lives in New Orleans. Website: Widerquist.com, email Karl@widerquist.com

PostsRepliesMedia
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
"New Church" single by the The Popes - Official is out today (1 October 2026)
youtu.be
New Church
YouTube video by The Popes - Topic
011
Reposted by Karl Widerquist
Michael A. Lewis @michaelalewis10.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The question of how UBI would be integrated into the current social policy landscape doesn’t come up that often. Economist Soomi Lee addresses it here: usbig.net/simplicity-a... @gisele600.bsky.social @scottsantens.com @karlwiderquist.bsky.social @murfmensch.bsky.social @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social
usbig.net
Simplicity and Complexity of Basic Income – USBIG
1108
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
000
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
'They are looting us' and your Social Security is next: scholar. Interview of Karl Widerquist by Matthew Rozsa, Alternet, September 01, 2026
alternet.org
'They are looting us' and your Social Security is next: scholar
AlterNet spoke with Dr. Karl Widerquist, a Georgetown University professor who specializes in distributive justice.
043
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
The legendary Celtic Punk band, The Popes, have a new release out. @michaelalewis10.bsky.social
open.spotify.com
Storming Heaven
The Popes · Storming Heaven · Song · 2026
021
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
The legendary Celtic Punk band, "The Popes," featuring Paul Maddog McGuinness have a new release out: "Storming Heaven."
open.spotify.com
Storming Heaven
The Popes · Storming Heaven · Song · 2026
000
Reposted by Karl Widerquist
Ms T 🐘💙🎵📚 @elephantlass.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Sunday
3176
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
New Lawless Park video for the song, "All Who Come in Peace Are Welcome Here" with pictures taken protests that have been happening in New Orleans in 2025 and 2026 @michaelalewis10.bsky.social
youtu.be
All Who Come in Peace Are Welcome Here
YouTube video by Karl Widerquist's Personal Channel
021
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
"The Falling Cost of a Floor." By Stephen Angeloni, Save the 1%, Substack, Aug 20, 2026
savethe1percent.substack.com
The Falling Cost of a Floor
The cost of ending poverty in America has fallen by seventy-one percent since 1967. The reason is not good news.
193
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
wagnercares.com
Obituary for The Reverend Allan Widerquist | Wagner Family Funerals
Celebrate the life of The Reverend Allan Widerquist and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.
111
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Dolly Parton not only did all that stuff you know about: she also did stuff that made her a hero the Basic Income movement. @michaelalewis10.bsky.social
scottsantens.substack.com
Dolly Parton Knew What People Need
How the queen of country music gave unconditional cash to wildfire survivors — and proved basic income works
050
Reposted by Karl Widerquist
Michael A. Lewis @michaelalewis10.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
My first recording with @jordanmossbx.bsky.social and cowritten with @karlwiderquist.bsky.social @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social (a fellow music guy but better than me). youtu.be/RyD2QJAyYSs?...
youtu.be
All Who Come in Peace Are Welcome Here
YouTube video by Release - Topic
144
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
My niece is getting some good press in this article:
criticaldance.org
NYC Emerging Artists Project: Third Annual Performance - CriticalDance
NYC Emerging Artists Project Alvin Ailey Studios New York, New York June, 27, 2026, afternoon (final dress rehearsal) June 27, 2026 evening (performance,viewed via videotape on August 7, 2026) Third A...
020
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
criticaldance.org/nyc-emerging...
criticaldance.org
NYC Emerging Artists Project: Third Annual Performance - CriticalDance
NYC Emerging Artists Project Alvin Ailey Studios New York, New York June, 27, 2026, afternoon (final dress rehearsal) June 27, 2026 evening (performance,viewed via videotape on August 7, 2026) Third A...
000
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
My new band, Nat Shays Whisky, has a new protest song out, "The Home of the Fat Homeless." It's almost up to 10,000 plays on Spotify alone. (extra kodus if you can figure out the origin of the name of the band) open.spotify.com/artist/1TsoR...
open.spotify.com
Nat Shays Whisky
Artist · 179 monthly listeners.
000
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
A new kind of club wants people to share the wealth. By Stephanie Hughes. MarketPlace, American Public Media, July 27, 2026
marketplace.org
A new kind of club wants people to share the wealth
A Marylander started an income redistribution club last year after a bunch of his friends who worked for the federal government lost their jobs.
153
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
This article is free to read or download UNTIL September 11, 2026. So don't delay, act now Michael W. Howard, “Basic income, reciprocity, and the power to exit,” World Development Perspectives, Volume 43, September 2026 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
sciencedirect.com
Basic income, reciprocity, and the power to exit
This paper will address the following questions: 1) what kind of basic income would enable exit from paid employment? 2) Is such a basic income sustai…
01513
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
How a ‘terrible’ website helped basic income go global. By Tyler Prochazka, BasicIncome .org, July 14, 2026
basicincome.org
How a ‘terrible’ website helped basic income go global | BIEN — Basic Income Earth Network
1103
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
“Donald Trump couldn’t make it tonight. He got caught in sex traffic.” -Whitney Cummings, at the Mark Twain Award ceremony, June 28, 2026
020
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
How ‘lonely fighters’ built basic income’s first home. By Tyler Prochazka, BasicIncome.org, July 9, 2026
basicincome.org
How ‘lonely fighters’ built basic income’s first home | BIEN — Basic Income Earth Network
010
Reposted by Karl Widerquist
Use your words @useyourwords2.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
If you study poverty read Progress and Poverty and if it gets difficult skip through it Then after read Agrarian Justice Then Basic Income books by @karlwiderquist.bsky.social and articles by @scottsantens.com and Guy Standing and you’ll start to get a picture of what’s broken and the fix 1/2
131
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
030
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
I love it when a reporter quotes me ripping on Trump: "I can't think of a favorable comparison between Trump & Hamilton...Hamilton was an intellectual who co-wrote the Federalist Papers [&] thought about how to design good institutions...Trump is a bully who's trying to get money out of people"
alternet.org
Critics cackle as Trump lackey attempts to compare president to a founding father
One of President Donald Trump’s top economic advisers, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, recently compared the Republican leader to an American founding father — and experts cannot stop laughing at...
010
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Why Aren’t We Working 10-Hour Weeks? By Karl Widerquist, The Gerald Huff Fund for Humanity YouTube channel, June 12, 2026 youtu.be/_kDkVSIAnG4
youtu.be
Why Aren’t We Working 10-Hour Weeks?
YouTube video by The Gerald Huff Fund for Humanity
050
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
The Cost of Ending Poverty Has Fallen Dramatically. By Karl Widerquist, The Gerald Huff Fund for Humanity YouTube channel, June 12, 2026
youtu.be
The Cost of Ending Poverty Has Fallen Dramatically
YouTube video by The Gerald Huff Fund for Humanity
120
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
The Most Misunderstood Part of UBI. By Karl Widerquist, The Gerald Huff Fund for Humanity YouTube channel, June 12, 2026
youtu.be
The Most Misunderstood Part of UBI
YouTube video by The Gerald Huff Fund for Humanity
040
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
forms.gle
Sign the Open Letter Concerning Academic Freedom, Tenure, and the Future of the New School
This form is for individuals who wish to add their names to the Open Letter Concerning Academic Freedom, Tenure, and the Future of the New School, occasioned by the firing of Sanjay Reddy amongst othe...
120
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
youtu.be
AI Is About to Change Everything
YouTube video by Rutger Bregman
010
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
open.spotify.com
Alice recommends Instrumentals?
Playlist · Karl Smith Widerquist · 66 items
010
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Very important article on taxation and the funding of UBI
scottsantens.substack.com
How Do We Pay for Universal Basic Income? Tax Stock the Way Companies Already Issue It.
A 1.5% annual stock dilution tax on corporations with revenue over $100M would raise over $1.4 trillion a year — enough to send every American about $365 a month, automatically.
093
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Basic Income Explained: Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) vs. Universal Basic Income (UBI). By Floyd Marinescu & Ken Yang. Progress . org, Volume I, number 1, 2026 @floydmarinescu.bsky.social @kenjaminyang.bsky.social @michaelalewis10.bsky.social @scottsantens.com
progress.org
Basic Income Explained: Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) vs. Universal Basic Income (UBI)
We already have basic income models that work around the world: guaranteed basic income to buy people time by keeping them out of poverty, and UBI dividends from common wealth. This piece explains the...
2125
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Canada's Sovereign Wealth Fund: Investing for Future Generations. By Ken Yang and Floyd Marinescu, Common Wealth, May 22, 2026 @floydmarinescu.bsky.social @kenjaminyang.bsky.social
commonwealth.ca
Canada's Sovereign Wealth Fund: Investing for Future Generations — Common Wealth Canada
The Canada Strong Fund is a start, but our sovereign wealth opportunity is much larger. A true Common Wealth Fund would capture more of our natural, technological, financial, and publicly created weal...
087
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Basic Income Explained: Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) vs. Universal Basic Income (UBI). By Ken Yang, UBI Works, 2026
ubiworks.ca
Basic Income Explained: Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) vs. Universal Basic Income (UBI)
We already have basic income models that work: guaranteed basic income to lower poverty and UBI dividends from common resources. We explain the differences and how they work together to provide econom...
253
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Martin Luther King said, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." And I believed him. I guess we were both wrong.
000
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
TODAY: Stand Up for Democracy neighborhood pop-up protest, 5-6pm, Thursday, May 7, City Park & Esplanade in New Orleans @indivisiblenola.org
000
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
"Every good pogromist thinks he's acting in self-defense" - I don't remember who said that
020
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Great article: "The Angine de Poitrine Argument for UBI." By Scott Santens, , 18 Apr 2026 www.scottsantens.com/the-angine-d...
scottsantens.com
The Angine de Poitrine Argument for UBI
Why Angine de Poitrine's viral microtonal math rock KEXP session, Ireland's permanent basic income for artists, and Albert Einstein are three sides of the same human triangle Two guys in papier-mâc...
150
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
I don't know David Allen Coe knew anything about Basic Income, but he was a hero to the Basic Income movement, because he wrote, "Take This and Shove it." I'm sad to hear that he's died.
youtu.be
Take This Job and Shove It Too
YouTube video by David Allan Coe - Topic
040
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Is Universal Basic Income More Affordable Than You Think? By Soomi Lee, the US BIG Blog, April 27, 2026
usbig.net
Is Universal Basic Income More Affordable Than You Think? – USBIG
0268
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
TODAY: Honk for Democracy: neighborhood pop-up protest, "No Wars without Review by Congress—It’s Just That Simple—Join Us!" Tuesday, April 28, at South Carrollton Ave. and Oak St. from 4:00 to 5:00pm
020
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
I'm quoted in this article: "Elon Musk wants the government to write everyone a check when his robots take their jobs." By Walter Schulze, Startup Fortune, April 24, 2026
startupfortune.com
Elon Musk wants the government to write everyone a check when his robots take their jobs – Startup Fortune
Elon Musk's universal high income proposal is bigger than UBI and more complicated than he admits
010
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Bill Jordan, one of the greats of the Universal Basic Income movement has passed.
basicincome.org
Bill Jordan — A Tribute | BIEN — Basic Income Earth Network
075
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
I agree 100% with Trump's statement: "A nuclear weapon should never be allowed to be used by anybody." We should get the nuclear powers to promise not to use their nuclear weapons AND to cooperate to destroy any government that does use them. Trump won't anything like this. But it's what we need.
000
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
TODAY: Stand up for Democracy, neighborhood, pro-democracy / anti-war pop-up protest: - Thursday April 23, 5-6:00pm, at the Esplanade entrance to City Park in New Orleans @indivisiblenola.org
011
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
TODAY: Three places where you can Stand Up For Democracy in New Orleans. NeigDeGaulle pop-up protests on Wednesday, April 22, 2026: - 5-6pm, Elysian Fields & St. Claude - 5:30-5:50pm, Napoleon & Magazine - ⁠5:45-6:15pm, Gen. DeGaulle & Florence @indivisible.org
010
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
TODAY: Honk for Democracy, Defend the constitution, nieghborhood, pop-up protest. Tuesday, April 21, 2026: •⁠ ⁠4-5pm, Carrollton & Oak @indivisiblenola.org
010
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Elon Musk says government checks are the 'best way' to deal with AI job losses — experts aren't so sure. By Theron Mohamed, Business Insider, April 17, 2026
businessinsider.com
Elon Musk says a 'universal high income' from the government is the answer to AI-fueled job losses
Elon Musk endorsed a "universal high income" in response to AI-driven job losses, and says there won't be inflation due to surging productivity.
020
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
010
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
My latest blog post, "What Elon Musk Gets Right and Wrong About Universal Basic Income and Universal 'High' Income". Crowd-sourced proofreading appreciated. @scottsantens.com @michaelalewis10.bsky.social @theubiguy.bsky.social @ottolehto.bsky.social
widerquist.com
What Elon Musk Gets Right and Wrong About Universal Basic Income and “Universal High Income” – Karl Widerquist
1155
Karl Widerquist @karlwiderquist.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
“Dependency Is the System: What Hungary Teaches Us About Basic Income and Democracy.” By Dániel Fehér, UBIE . org, 16 Apr 2026
ubie.org
Dependency Is the System: What Hungary Teaches Us About Basic Income and Democracy - UBIE - Unconditional Basic Income Europe
The fall of Viktor Orbán’s government in Hungary raises a question the celebrations have obscured: why did dismantling such a corrupt and inhuman system take sixteen years? The answer lies less in ide...
0125