The elevated equestrianism is all yours.
I like!
On the contrary, I'm working on the assumption that you feel justified in claiming the dole when you could be working.
Well, I work at present, and hope to continue to do so, but at my early stage of a career, I drop off the face of the scientific world for a couple of years as I'm trapped in shift work at the local abattoir, that's where I'll stay for good, earning NMW and contributing one hell of a lot less than if for 6 months I live off benefits, and by using my time well, forge a future successful career. From that career, not only would I pay considerably more taxes and NI, but I'd also have more spending power, meaning more VAT and better support of the economy. Heck, seeing as it's environmental science I work in, I may even produce some work worth immeasurably more than the sum of its parts, but then that is cloud cuckoo land territory...
Back to your high horse: If you were in my situation - contract up shortly and no chance of renewal thanks to the dire state of research funding, but:
a) you see a possible chance for effectively an unpaid sabbatical to write bids and papers in the hope that YOU MAKE WORK OFF YOUR OWN BACK, as opposed to relying on tenured staff to bring the money in. Thereby ensuring your future employment whilst demonstrating your ability to do it off your own back with a little bit of dinner money from Gordon and Alastair. Or,
b) Despite the promise your career had, you decide that you can't possibly take state benefits for what is hopefully a short period of time, so seek out a menial job paying on the balance of it, less than you would get in benefits. As this job requires long hours of physical work, you are unable to focus on your own personal career development, search for new jobs, or write up your research. Before you know it, a couple of years pass, by which time you're so far behind with the latest developments in your field of science, and as a result stand no chance of getting your career back on track. This means that you'll continue to contribute very little to the economy, and will probably end up on the dole anyway when said abattoir / factory etc shuts down. In the mean time, you will have wasted a chance given to you by the fortune of your education to better yourself and really pay your way in society and progress your field, whilst blocking a job that could have been held by someone initially more suited to the role.
Difficult choice that one...
