there's massive difference in scale though that brings in a lot of variables that would require a full lock-in before implementation. Given how globalised and interdependent modern economies are - there are too many unpredictable factors outside of governmental control that can whiplash onto national economy and wreck the plans even more than usual. And that might render any UBI-type system a huge burden that would get targeted by folks from IMF making "valuable" "suggestions".
it was way before the modern wave of cancel culture in late 2000s early 2010s - back when Facebook had separate quick chats and proper messages.