The Rise and Fall of Australia's Surfing UBI: A Lesson for the Future?
In a world where Artificial Intelligence threatens to disrupt our social fabric, we must look to the past for guidance. The story of Australia's surfing culture and its unique relationship with the dole, or Universal Basic Income, offers a fascinating glimpse into a potential future where a 'useless class' may emerge.
The Industrial Revolution created the working class, but what happens when technology renders this class obsolete? Israeli historian Yuval Harari warns of a future where people become 'unemployable', devoid of any economic value. It's a chilling prospect, and one that has sparked debates about Universal Basic Income as a potential solution.
For nearly three decades, Australian surfers enjoyed a form of UBI, affectionately known as 'the dole'. This system, though controversial, provides valuable insights into how a 'useless class' might find purpose and meaning.
The Missing Chapter in Surf History
Surprisingly, the impact of the dole on Australian surf culture has been largely overlooked by the media. This historical blind spot can be attributed to the influence of neoliberal ideas and the market's dominance over surfing culture in the 1970s. The clothing companies, with their substantial advertising budgets, controlled the narrative, and the image of the dole bludger didn't align with their consumer-driven agenda.
The Post-War Era: A Surfers' Paradise
The post-World War II era brought about significant innovations that shaped surfing. From the use of polyurethane and fibreglass to surf forecasting, these advancements were a byproduct of global conflict. But it was the welfare state, inspired by the Atlantic Charter's emphasis on freedom from want, that created an environment where surfing thrived. The dole, established in Australia by 1945, became a Commonwealth responsibility, ensuring its impact on the nation's surfing culture.
The Counter-Culture Movement and the Rise of the Dole Surfer
The conservative nature of Australian surfing in the 1950s and early 1960s began to shift with the introduction of the Malibu board from California. The counter-culture movement, with its anti-war sentiments, embrace of drugs, free love, and alternative living, changed the paradigm. Surfers, especially those from the working class, found freedom and community in the waves. The North Coast of Australia, with its cheap land and low cost of living, became a haven for these 'surf peasants'.
The Dole Lifestyle: A Unique Surfers' Paradise
The dole, though meagre in payment, provided a unique opportunity for surfers to live a coastal lifestyle. Renting a farmhouse on the North Coast for as little as $4 a week, with milk delivery included, was a reality. The indexed nature of the dole meant it kept pace with the cost of living, and the low population and depressed economies kept housing costs minimal. A new surfboard, priced between $90 and $100, was an affordable luxury. While survival on the dole wasn't easy, as Phil Myers recalls, it fostered a sense of community and creativity.
The Eighties: Rock 'n' Roll and the Dole
The 1980s, a decade of excess and greed, saw the rise of professional surfing and surf companies. Yet, it began with a brutal recession. The Bob Hawke Surf Team, sponsored by the government, became a symbol of this era. With high unemployment and depressed wages, the dole became a lifeline for many surfers. The ability to rent beachside houses and travel domestically, thanks to the dole's Commonwealth responsibility, created a unique surfing culture.
The Dole's Impact on Australian Culture
The dole culture in Australia extended beyond surfing. It influenced music, with bands like UB-40 taking their name from the dole form. The Australian music scene flourished, much like the surfing scene, thanks to the dole payments that gave creative kids time and space to pursue their passions. The success of Australian pro surfing in the late 1970s and 1980s can be partly attributed to this unique sponsorship of surfing hours.
The End of an Era
The early 2000s saw the demise of the dole-funded surf lifestyle. The long neoliberal boom, with its rising household incomes and wages, made living on the dole in coastal Australia nearly impossible. The under-the-table cash economy was curbed, and real estate booms pushed housing prices beyond the reach of many. The dole cheat trope became a political tool, with governments implementing punitive measures to make life on the dole as difficult as possible.
A Glimpse into the Future?
As we face the potential economic tsunami of widespread unemployment due to AI, the story of Australia's surfing UBI offers a cautionary tale and a potential roadmap. Can we tolerate a world where large segments of society are rendered useless? A reconfiguration, perhaps in the form of an enhanced UBI, might be necessary to provide for basic material needs. Australia's experience with the dole proves that, with affordable housing and access to supplementary work, a UBI-like system can work. Time spent in the ocean, developing skills and community, could be our best defense against the AI-driven economic dislocation.
What do you think? Is a UBI-funded surf lifestyle a utopian dream or a realistic solution? Share your thoughts in the comments!
