

What if money actually COULD buy happiness? These cities tried it.
When 2020 presidential hopeful Andrew Yang proposed to give every American $1000 in monthly income, it helped bring the issue of Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) to national light. By then, several U.S. cities had already begun GBI pilot programs in which they provided $500 per month to a select group of people for one year.
Direction
Levin finds humanity in spreadsheets.
Writing
Turns policy debate into personal stakes.

Director
Marc Levin
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released during post-pandemic stimulus debates, it accidentally became a time capsule of America's brief flirtation with economic radicalism.
Stockton's mayor Michael Tubbs—featured prominently—lost reelection by 2020 despite the pilot's perceived success, showing how politically radioactive cash handouts remain.