The Future of Surfing and the 'Useless Class': A Controversial Perspective
The future of work is uncertain, and Artificial Intelligence may render millions jobless. This impending reality raises a crucial question: what will become of those deemed 'useless' in a tech-dominated world? Israeli historian Yuval Harari, in his book Homo Deus, predicts the emergence of a massive 'unworking class' devoid of economic, political, or artistic value. This 'useless class' will be more than just unemployed; they will be unemployable.
And here's where it gets controversial: could surfing offer a solution? In Australia, the dole, a form of Universal Basic Income (UBI), once supported a thriving surf culture. This system, affectionately known as 'the dole,' provided a unique glimpse into a future where the 'useless class' might find purpose.
But the surf media has largely ignored this chapter in history. Why? Perhaps it's because surfing embraced the market in the 1970s, and neoliberal ideas took hold. The focus shifted from the dole-supported surfers to the consumers the companies desired. This led to a blackout in the historical record, despite the significant impact of the dole on coastal communities.
World War II left a lasting legacy for surfers, including innovations like polyurethane, fibreglass, and surf forecasting. But another significant development was the welfare state, rooted in the 1941 Atlantic Charter, which emphasized four freedoms: speech, religion, freedom from fear, and freedom from want. This laid the foundation for economic security as a human right, leading to the establishment of the dole in Australia in 1945.
The dole quietly supported the post-war surfing scene, even as the sport evolved with the introduction of the Malibu board in 1956. It wasn't until the counter-culture movement of the late 1960s, influenced by anti-war protests and a new lifestyle embracing drugs, free love, and alternative living, that surfing's paradigm truly shifted. This movement, seeded by Californians, transformed Australian surfing.
Post-war prosperity in California contrasted sharply with the economic struggles in Australia's North Coast. Despite being touted as a 'land of plenty,' the region faced challenges like distance from markets, floods, and a lack of understanding of the subtropical climate. These factors led to a steady depopulation, with rural residents moving to cities for work.
The 1970s and 1980s saw economic downturns, but surfers experienced these decades differently. Despite environmental degradation, the Australian coast was still viewed as a paradise. The dole, though meagre, was indexed, and the low cost of living made it feasible for surfers to rent beachside houses, especially with supplementary cash work. This era saw the rise of iconic surf teams like the Bob Hawke and Paul Keating Surf Teams, who combined the dole with seasonal work and travel.
The dole, a Commonwealth responsibility, facilitated domestic travel. Surfers could register in one location and collect dole cheques while exploring the country. This era, as summed up by surfer Gunther Rohn, was 'easier on the rock 'n roll.' The dole supported a unique surf lifestyle, with iconic figures like 'Footrot The Unemployed Clown' and his foam surfboard, a symbol of this era.
Australia's dole-funded surf culture was unique globally. The UK had a similar dole culture, but it manifested in inner-city squats and the music scene. In Australia, the dole nurtured both great surfers and musicians. The success of Australian pro surfing in the late 1970s and 1980s may have been influenced by this public sponsorship of mass surfing hours.
However, the early 1990s brought another recession, and the dole's role changed. The neoliberal boom, rising household incomes, and the end of indexing the dole to the CPI made coastal living on the dole increasingly difficult. Real estate booms, rising rents, and stricter regulations on the cash economy further squeezed out the dole-supported surf lifestyle.
The present-day sees a different demographic enjoying the waves, often tradies with flexible schedules and the means to live on the coast. The future, with its potential for widespread unemployment, raises questions about societal tolerance for the 'useless class.' A reconfiguration, perhaps involving a revamped UBI or enhanced dole, might be necessary to provide for basic needs.
The Australian experience with the dole and surfing offers a compelling case study. Time spent in the ocean, developing skills and community, could be a powerful buffer against the challenges of AI-driven unemployment. But will society embrace this idea, or will the 'useless class' be left to fend for themselves? The debate is open, and the future awaits our collective decisions.
