They've earned 500k/y for a couple years, they don't need another job that pays enough, that's why they can be so indifferent about the outcome.

I think the very definition of society implies that we are all owed a lot, and we all owe a lot to society. Politics is about deciding what.

Education? Safety? Medical help? A home? Food? Transport? Communication?

These are things society needs to provide.

In turn, we provide society with labour, applied skills, decision making etc.

If there is no (trusted, working) social contract - society breaks down.

If we allow a small elite to monopolize the productivity gains and efficiency increased from new technology - the results will be dire.

I see the more feasible solutions to be some kind of universal income or negative tax - combined with reduced work hours (eg 30 hour weeks, to start).

Correct. But don't you want something from the future? What do you imagine it to look like? How far is it from what you hope it might? What are you willing to do to bring them closer together?

The history is quite unequivocal about what happens when there's too many people who don't earn enough to live. Governments are aware too, I think.