“Unearned income” refers to the just returns on investments. Once a business is successful, the upfront costs become invisible and readily forgotten. Due to our innate survivorship bias, we also ignore the many failures.

Every decision which set the business up for success would not have occurred if there had been no chance of reward down the line. There will be no loans if collecting a debt is made difficult or socially taboo. “Unearned income” is necessary for founding enterprises that improve the economy. Without it, there is no incentive to take on the upfront costs.