> I find this 'people are but cogs in the machine' view of economics especially appalling

I resent your implication that I think people are just cogs in a economic machine.

People move location all the time for a variety of reasons. Sometimes economic, sometimes for lifestyle, sometimes for the weather.

I suggested UBI would give people more options, more choice, more power in their lives and you suggest I hold an appalling view and think people are nothing more than wealth seeking particles? Thanks very much.