I don't see why everyone needs access, it could just be kept with the Department of Energy (or whoever would be in charge of the proposed universal deposit program). Accessing it would require a court order, just like digging through someone's trash.
Although that said, an open database of every single purchase would have all sorts of uses!
For instance, if someone litters, the authorities could track the unique code to the purchase and then... well. ๐
It seems trivial to tie the token to a sale date. The future deposits on future purchases will keep pace with inflation because the deposits will increase, but you only get back the deposit you put in at time of purchase.
Even if the deposit on bottles is $2 in 2035, if you bought when they were $1 they won't accrue value by sitting in your garage.
As long as their useless trash is in their garage and not scattered on the highway I think that's still an improvement.
Make the recycling deposit a dollar, pin it to inflation, and put it on everything.
Musk will happily trigger Kessler syndrome to prevent competition.
China will be blamed, of course.
I hope you didn't think I was accusing the Black Panthers of anything!
Every peaceful rights movement has a less-than-peaceful counterpart that's willing to go just a little bit farther for rights.
Yet the peaceful ones are the only ones who get credit. Why do you think that is?
Yeah... """tax""" ๐
Burning down the entire rainforest so ChatGPT can talk to you while drilling holes in your teeth.
But can it make awkward one-sided conversation at you while it works on your teeth?
Totally not a bubble though.
Do you think that kind of surveillance isn't already happening with credit card companies, online shopping, and chain stores?