Daniel Hart is currently in the midst of an ambitious trek across Australia.
His journey spans 4,500 kilometers from Wilsons Promontory in Victoria to Cape York in Far North Queensland.
By walking an average of 25 kilometers each day, he aims to raise awareness for the concept of a universal basic income.
Equipped with just a few basic items, including a $5 pair of sandals and a hat fashioned from a pizza box, Mr. Hart has been sleeping in football stands and ovals along the way. His resolve was truly tested one night when a wrong turn led to an especially challenging experience.
I Dislike Moving Backwards
On the 53rd day of his journey, Mr. Hart found himself on the coast track within the Royal National Park, 60 kilometers south of Sydney. He quickly realized he had taken a wrong turn.
“I’m on the wrong path, but I dislike moving backwards,” Mr. Hart admitted. After three hours of rock-hopping under the cliffs, he thought he could avoid getting wet unless a huge wave struck.
That wave did hit. Swept into the water, he was tossed around, hitting rocks repeatedly.
Eventually, he stopped on a rock, but his shoes, backpack, and phone had been taken by the sea.
Recognizing the difficulty of retracing his steps, Mr. Hart decided against risking a climb in the dark. He sought refuge in a cliff-side cave as night fell, with no way to call for help or navigate safely.
The next morning, he tried climbing out again. Realizing the danger, he acknowledged to himself that it would be foolish to survive the water challenge only to fall from a cliff.
So, he shouted for help. His calls were heard by nearby walkers, and emergency services soon rescued him.
When he arrived at Sutherland Hospital, he had nothing but his shirt. No phone, money, or ID. He had no place to stay.
Gratefully, thanks to people following his walk on social media, he managed to get support and return to his journey.
Hoping to Provide Income to All
Mr. Hart’s mission aims to spark interest in a basic income for all Australians. His idea includes giving everyone around $500 each week, unconditionally, to meet their essential needs.
He thinks this can be done by “taxing corporations correctly.” While he admits companies are taxed legally, he believes it’s not always ethical. By telling his story, he hopes to inspire people to learn more, understand the concept, and form their own opinions.
“We can afford to keep people alive, regardless of their economic contributions,” he says, pointing to the advanced state of our society.
Mr. Hart’s inspiration for the walk came a few months after ChatGPT, a free AI system, was released. Its emergence made him worry about job security, including his own. “It made a lot of people wake up,” he notes, predicting that AI could take over his job within six to twelve months.
The idea of a basic income is not new. Professor Geoffrey Hinton, known as the “godfather of AI,” has suggested that basic income might be necessary. He shares concerns that AI could replace many mundane jobs. Still, some believe people will adapt and new job opportunities will arise as AI progresses.
Mr. Hart knows his ideas might be seen as strange and overly optimistic. He says, “A bit of both.” He feels that those who understand the concept realize its benefits. Yet, he faces significant opposition.
Often, critics tell him to get a job, accuse him of being a communist, or make comparisons to welfare. Despite this, Mr. Hart remains dedicated to spreading awareness. He sees it as his responsibility to educate others about the potential advantages of basic income.
