Slashdot Mirror
Google To Fund Ideas That Will Change the World
Peace Corps Online writes "This week, as part of their tenth birthday celebration, Google announced the launch of project ten to the 100th, a project designed to inspire and fund the development of ideas that will help to change the world. They have called on members of the public to share their ideas for solutions that will help as many people as possible in the global community, offering a $10 million prize pool to back the development of those chosen as winners. 'We know there are countless brilliant ideas that need funding and support to come to fruition,' says Bethany Poole, Project Marketing Manager for Google. 'These ideas can be big or small, technology-driven or brilliantly simple — but they need to have impact.' The project's website asks entrants to classify their ideas into one of eight categories listed as Community, Opportunity, Energy, Environment, Health, Education, Shelter and Everything Else. Members of the public have until October 20th to submit their ideas by completing a simple form and answering a few short questions about their idea."
a gun that shoots cookies. either at 600f/s or just gently enough to hit my mouth.
And who reaps the profit from these ideas? Would it be Google by any chance?
I'd prefer to go without any 'prize' and do all the work/reap all the benefits myself.
A learning experience is one of those things that say, 'You know that thing you just did? Don't do that.' - D. Adams
Beware!
So who actually profits from this? Does Google sift the data and then start up in-house projects or do they run a program like the MacArthur genius grant, where the money is provided with little to no strings attached?
Given the earlier controversy over their EULAs containing clauses to forfeit all rights to your IP, this isn't just an idle question.
$_ = "wftedskaebjgdpjgidbsmnjgcdwatb"; tr/a-z/oh, turtleneck Phrase Jar!/; print
The site says they've got $10 million sitting ready to implement these ideas.... but the idea submitter gets zero (or even any involvement in the process). So they're basically crowdsourcing the brainstorming step, and then will do a normal quote/bid process beyond that. So they've already made a disconnect -- people with truly great ideas are going to want to 1) have something to do with seeing them happen, and 2) want to benefit personally. (Even non-profits pay good salaries!) So I don't think this model provides adequate benefit to the idea owner to relinquish control of their intellectual property. Will the really good ideas come out?
--
Hey code monkey... learn electronics! Powerful microcontroller kits for the digital generation.
1: Some renewable energy source that actually can handle dense loads 24/7. Solar can't. Nuclear really can't because contractors are too inept or corrupt to do a job right. Pretty much, fusion is the only thing we got going.
2: Batteries (supercaps preferably) with an energy density approaching gasoline.
3: Automatic pilot for cars so dense highways can be created to allow for the maximum density out there, so one drunk driver wrecking doesn't hamstring thousands of people.
4: Reliable, reusable space vehicles that can do more than low Earth orbits. SCRAMjet planes to the moon for example.
5: Tape backup that has a modern arial density, and that is inexpensive. Hard disks are fickle and fragile, and tape isn't perfect, but can stand the test of time.
10. What one sentence best describes your idea? (maximum 150 characters)
Build a complete set of social and computer networking tools that can be distributed on/via USB Sticks.
---
11. Describe your idea in more depth. (maximum 300 words)
CBBS opened a new vista of social networking in 1978, which lead to Fidonet, to parallel UUCP, etc.
Build a set of tools which allow the modern update to it, with sneakernet as the backbone.
This could be used by families to share photos. Researchers with huge data sets on the larger scale of things.
Provide a nice standard way to share stuff on a massive distributed scale that's extremely easy to use.
---
12. What problem or issue does your idea address? (maximum 150 words)
Routes around censorship and trust issues with the internet. Lowers the barriers to entry for social networking.
---
13. If your idea were to become a reality, who would benefit the most and how? (maximum 150 words)
Anyone who needs to share a huge amount of stuff with others they meet or send packages to on a frequent basis.
---
14. What are the initial steps required to get this idea off the ground? (maximum 150 words)
Some brainstorming, evaluation of available tools, and a small community of people who want to contribute to the idea.
---
15. Describe the optimal outcome should your idea be selected and successfully implemented. How would you measure it? (maximum 150 words)
Everyone around the world gets to share more stuff, and gets more as a result.
Please keep me posted on all of "your" work then.
/.
So I can see how much prize/benefit you've reaped.
My guess: You can't program for toffee. Oh wait, this is
If I had an Ass, I'd call it Fanny Bottom, then I could slap my Ass; Fanny Bottom, on the Arse.
The prize pool is only ten to the 6th.
17. duct tape
Why don't the companies that own patents on say... water powered cars, finally manufacture some of these gadgets.
take the warning labels off everything, the stupid people will die, this will have the following effects: 1 reduce global population. 2 increase the global IQ 3reduce the amount of really stupid slashdot stories.
-Ours is the wisdom of Solomon, the magic of Merlyn, the fall of Icaris.
Google isn't asking for profitable ideas or anything like that.
Sure, some of them could end up being profitable, but that's not the point. They want to invest in nice ideas which could improve the life quality of people. From the video, you can clearly see they're interested in ideas that could, for instance, ease the burden put on poor people in countries like Africa. You can hardly profit from that.
This is called philanthropy. And it's amazing how people from the US find this so absurd.
Sometimes, there really isn't a catch.
First things first, no marketers. Google has proven itself to be 'evil' despite its dictum of "Don't be evil". Marketers are simply going to look for the profit in the situation and most likely Google will patent the ever-living shit out of something that's meant to help mankind regardless of nationality, race or invisible sky magician. Nothing will get done.
Second, don't bother. This is just a PR attempt. See the marketing department mentioned in the article and my prior comment.
Term limits for all Congresspersons.
That by itself should result in the solution of a whole host of problems.
Use Google's infrastructure and clout to combat censorship and surveillance of dissidents by oppressive regimes.
From http://www.project10tothe100.com/tos.html
"As between you and Google, you retain ownership of any intellectual and industrial property rights (including moral rights) you have in and to your submission."
It would seem that the creator of the idea *may* profit.
Replying to self, this is bad but I also just found this http://www.project10tothe100.com/faq.html...
"Q: What do I get if my idea is chosen? A: You get good karma and the satisfaction of knowing that your idea might truly help a lot of people."
Doesn't sound like profit is the name of the game here.
10. What one sentence best describes your idea? (maximum 150 characters)
Artificial sentience.
11. Describe your idea in more depth. (maximum 300 words)
Beyond artificial intelligence, this project aims to create a sentient being. Using recent advancements such as ultra-fast processors, massive storage capacities and object-oriented coding, this being would be a conglomerate of interacting objects, each representing an aspect of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Put simply, it would be your standard AI, with the addition of new types of modules that compete with each other for processing priority and storage space. These modules will be analogs of lust, greed, fear, grief, pride and envy, and will tend towards gluttony, sloth and bloody-minded bastardism, pitted against other modules representing altruism, love, curiosity and an admiration of Alan Alda's character in M*A*S*H.
12. What problem or issue does your idea address? (maximum 150 words)
The lack of the kind of awesome coolness that such a being would represent.
13. If your idea were to become a reality, who would benefit the most and how? (maximum 150 words)
I'm sure some major corporation would be interested. Look under "G" in Yahoo Yellow Pages.
14. What are the initial steps required to get this idea off the ground? (maximum 150 words)
1. Give me the monays.
2. Leave me alone to work on it.
15. Describe the optimal outcome should your idea be selected and successfully implemented. How would you measure it? (maximum 150 words)
It would be measured by the extent to which the machines take over the world.
What do you think, sirs?
I don't know, give everybody a coke?
--
Oh well, Bad Karma and all . . .
Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
from http://www.project10tothe100.com/faq.html
Q: Why is Google doing this?
A: The short answer is that we think helping people is a good thing, and empowering people to help others is an even better thing.
No. You are doing this as PR. Seriously stop with the BS. You have long ago left behind being a search-engine company, you are CLEARLY an advertising company. I cannot go anywhere on the web these days without being bothered by you (google ads, double click ads..., embedded google analytics on vast portion of the web, google apps embedded in others pages through google API or youtube videos..., references/links to content hosted on google maps or earth or orkut or blogger or knol...,) The web and our information does not belong to you. Now you are taking over advertising on cell phones, games, print, radio media; yesterday I read that you now do ads for Bloomberg TV http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/25/AR2008092502313.html. Now you need to directly control the browser (chrome), OS (android starting with my cell phone) and finance all this with my information. I read a previous statement from google (I do not have link currently) that if we do not like your services use something else, problem is I cannot use much of the web without being forced to use you in one fashion or another.
Really, slashdot once cared about personal privacy and calling things as they are. google mission first line from their mission statement is: "Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful." http://www.google.com/intl/en/corporate/ As we have seen that includes EVERYTHING and is rapidly expanding. A few years ago no one would have said it would be ok for some advertising company to data mine their email, contact folder...
Slashdot you the community have let me down and I think I will need to find another place to waste time. I once loved this community as geeks, but I guess those days are gone. I truly miss you.
that the belgians defeated the german blitzkrieg in world war ii with waffles
the feared waffen-ss was helpless before the onslaught of delicious belgian waffles. yes, you heard me right, waffling defeated wafflen
it is so like you neocon warmongering americans to deny that Pastry Promulgates Peace(tm)
intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
If you think this is a troll, you are culturally insensitive.
Community: How can we help connect people, build communities and protect unique cultures?
Assumes connecting people is a good thing. Sometimes people want to be left alone. Not all cultures are worth saving (varies by what culture you are in)
Opportunity: How can we help people better provide for themselves and their families?
Generally; remove the [government, dictator, local warlord] that is the problem.
Energy: How can we help move the world toward safe, clean, inexpensive energy?
Use up all the unsafe, dirty, expensive energy sources at a higher rate.
Environment: How can we help promote a cleaner and more sustainable global ecosystem?
I dunno, look dirty clean enough to me. I expect it to last longer than I will.
Health: How can we help individuals lead longer, healthier lives?
Tell them to eat less junk food and exercise more. Also ask them not to breed if they might pass on nasty traits that might contribute to short unhealthy lives in their offspring. On the other hand, maybe people already live long enough. Maybe a shorter, happier life would be better.
Education: How can we help more people get more access to better education?
Education is over-rated. Your local cleric can tell you everything you need to know.
Shelter: How can we help ensure that everyone has a safe place to live?
Lower their expectations. Great grand-pappy had a sod house he built himself, and he was happy with it. No tax collector buggin him 'bout it neither!
Everything else: Sometimes the best ideas don't fit into any category at all.
Buy lots of happy pills. Give them to EVERYONE. If your definition of helping people is to make them happy, who cares if it is "real"?
"How can we help connect people, build communities and protect unique cultures"
By leaving them alone... but I doubt that's an option which Google will consider. A laptop in every Igloo, broadband for every forest clearing.
Yep, those unique cultures really need technology to protect them.
I submitted my idea, open source voting. I know theres a foundation out there already, but I was hoping if Google took the lead they could actually make it a reality. Heck, maybe they will bring about a direct democracy system where all issues are first released to public for voting (directly) then if there are not enough public votes it falls into a representative body of voters (congress). Would be cool if they made the server side technology system to supplement something like that and it actually DID improve the democratic system with technology.
Trying to install linux on my microwave, but keep getting a kernel panic...
By imposing the terms Google has, they have ensured that only a small subset of ideas will only ever be submitted to them. No commercially viable ideas can be proposed, and their instance that they can ignore the creator means they will only get what nobody really cares about.
Google should get a clue, up the funding by an order of magnitude, ensure the individual benefits ($1m minimum) AND maintains control and then they might get something worthwhile. If you have a solution to the energy crisis you will not be submitting to Google so they can rape you and the world over with it.
Here's a great idea that would change the world...
Search.
You know, that works really, really well.
I know, it's a crazy idea and I bet no-one at Google has thought of it.
A math program that teaches anyone math regardless of skill level.
God spoke to me.
Dude, if you have fusion going, then wtf are you doing applying to google for some share of a 10MM grant?! You could have billions in VC funding.
You really missed the begging Bussard did between the time he DID have fusion going and the time he died, didn't you?
He even begged Google. They put his talk on their web site and didn't give him any bux.
= = = =
Eventually the Navy dribbled out enough money for the next set of lab work, which should have been done as of last month. Now we're waiting for the Navy to decide whether to release the results and/or (if it went well) give his company the two hundred million they need to build a working 100MW demo plant. That's $2/watt, much better than solar panels - and includes the one-time development costs. If it works as Bussard expected it could then be cloned for $20M/unit, or 20 cents/watt, or even better stuff designed and built.
Bantam Dominique roosters crow a four-note song. Once you've heard it as "Happy BIRTHday" you can't NOT hear it that way
Until I've got my flying car, there's not really any point in getting side tracked with something else.
Have gnu, will travel.
and send anyone with the words "financial", "banker", "accountant", "hairdresser" or "president" in their job description off to Alpha-Centauri in the first wave evacuation.
The $3 trillion dollars we'd save could throw one hell of a party.
Why don't the companies that own patents on say... water powered cars, finally manufacture some of these gadgets.
Because it's easier to be a patent troll. Just sit and wait for people to actually go out and get their hands dirty and their pockets empty doing the actual work. Then pop up out of nowhere and demand your royalties! It's the American way.
Granted, it's only slightly less ethical than beating up nuns for crack money, but in this day and age it's par for the course.
Weaselmancer
rediculous.
We can do it on the cheap in Cali where you don't have to pay overtime!
"The ability to delude yourself may be an important survival tool" - Jane Wagner -
... doing no corporate evil?
Solar power is the only form of practical fusion power we have now, it is likely to be the only form of practical fusion power for the next several decades at least, and it scales from small dedicated solar powered devices to multiple megawatt sized solar farms. As for it being 24/7 we don't need that so much, the grid itself doesn't run peak capacity 24/7. We typically get larger demands during the heat (and sunshine) of mid day, when solar really rocks. As an adjunct to what we have now, a few billion panels more out on roofs all over would negate the need to build so many more fossil fuel plants, especially those "peaker" plants, and once you start talking billions of panels, economies of scale cost savings kick in and more R&D will come with it. You as joe sixpack also get to own it, compared to leasing your infrastructure with an open ended contract from the power company. Something else to consider if one wants to build equity instead of renting forever, and to have a supply independent of the vagaries of power politics and the rigged energy market.
Solar PV since its invention has dropped from thousands of dollars per watt to now under 4 bucks. This is not insignificant and is an indication of the direction it has been going. We are *this close* to having it being really cheap.
Diversified energy sources all contributing is the "silver bullet" energy solution, there isn't going to be any single "one" type of energy source in our immediate future that will cover all needs. Solar has a prominent place in the mix and could be more widely used (as some nations are doing right now, the US lags quite a bit in that regard).
In fact, this thread is about google looking for new ideas, solar is a good enough idea for them that they have already dumped some millions into it for their own purposes.
Shoot 90% of lawyers, put politicians to work on farms, appoint intelligent people who despise power to positions of leadership.
"Thanks for all the money you paid to us. We've used it to buy off ISO among other things" -Microsoft
May those who help most win so they say.
I made three entries - the hexayurt, the infrastructure package, and the low cost medical care.
The Hexayurt
The hexayurt is a reasonably well tested next generation disaster relief shelter built on free/open source principles and industrial supply chains. It comes from work done at the Rocky Mountain Institute. The basic idea is to take 12 standard 4âx8â industrial panels, cut six in half diagonally and fasten them into a cone (see the site for pictures) and use six whole panels for the walls, giving a durable shelter of 166 square feet, big enough for 5 people at UN standards. These shelters will survive 80 mph winds easily.
The emphasis on using standard industrial materials is the key. Nobody can afford to carry extensive stocks of emergency housing for disasters in the developing world, which often displace millions of people. Airfreighting tents is expensive and inefficient, and tents are lousy shelter for long term use, which is all-too-frequently how they are deployed. The Hexayurt idea is that industrial cities near regular disaster zones (Bangaladesh, strife-torn areas of Africa, the hurricane belt) take their existing industrial infrastructure and add a few simple new skills so that before or after a disaster they can mass produce a simple, long-life shelter for affected populations. This is a step towards disaster relief self-sufficiency at a regional level, so that these areas begin to be able to cope without being so reliant on patchy and poorly-funded international relief effots.
The Hexayurt concept has been tested by US DOD, and is an integral part of the STAR-TIDES program. American Red Cross and Netherlands Red Cross both think it is a great idea and have supported its development, and AMURT is considering the system. All of this has been done by a persistent self-funded open source development effort.
http://hexayurt.com/
The Hexayurt Infrastructure Package
The hexayurt is a free/open disaster relief shelter which has its own entry. However, a shelter alone is not enough to really help people after a disaster. If you have 100,000 perfectly good shelters in a field, the next problem you face is water and sanitation: without some deployed solution, people will get sick and die.
There are lots of appropriate technology solutions to sanitation, cooking without wasting wood or generating toxic smoke, purifying water to drink. All of them are under-funded, under-tested, and under-adopted. Millions to tens of millions die every year because this âoeappropriate technology infrastructureâ is not being properly funded, and the result is needless loss of life.
The key is to understand that credible candidate technologies exist to provide all the same basic essential services that people enjoy in the developed world on a budget of maybe $200. Furthermore, the services can be provided house-by-house. For example, rainwater is collected on your roof, then purified using a biosand filter to give you safe drinking water, rather than having a water purification factory down the road and pipes. These systems are basic, and some need work, but some combination of SODIS, solar water pasteurization, thermophilic composting toilets, sulabh toilets, solar cookers, rocket stoves, gasification stoves, biosand filters, microsolar, microwind and microhydro will provide all the basic essential services of life in nearly any climate anywhere in the world. What hasnâ(TM)t been done is a global systematic program of testing each of these individual technologies in each region of the world, making local adaptations, cleaning up and publishing the designs, making training videos, running educational courses, and looking for chances to integrated, combine and synthesize systems into whole packages which are proven to provide all essential services in the field. This is our proposal.
Hexayurt - open source refugee shelter,
Why not try that "gay bomb" again that the military had started? It was supposed to be a chemical weapon that turns armies into horny homosexuals, with the effect that fighting immediately ceased and a gigantic orgy would commence. They were somewhat vague on the issue of "friendly fire", but either way, people would stop getting killed.
Imagine: no more bloodshed on the battle field.
Now, if it got into terrorists hands and they constructed a "dirty bomb" out of it, that might be a problem. But considering that cities like New York and San Francisco are already safe from this kind of bomb (what's it gonna do?), the risk is fairly limited. OK, they might hit a Southern Baptist convention, but that would be an acceptable risk.
...in marketing. Make something difficult to understand to get people interested, put a lot of words around it. Doesn't matter what you're doing, the aim is to get people intrigued as to what the fuck you're on about.
Why don't you just fucking fund the projects already and quit with the sleight of hand and weasel words.
To this day the only software Google have put out that I've found better than the competition is their search engine. I'm sure there are other niche products but I hate Chrome, can't stand Piccasa, and won't give up my privacy for GMail. Google groups has deteriorated since Google bought Deja. If they want to put out something mind blowing, stop talking and fucking do it already.
These posts express my own personal views, not those of my employer
"Some renewable energy source that actually can handle dense loads 24/7. Solar can't. "
Wrong, look into solar thermal. They store the super heated liquid so it can spin the turbines all night. In fact, there is talk of it being able to be a base load.
"Nuclear really can't because contractors are too inept or corrupt to do a job right. Pretty much, fusion is the only thing we got going."
I can't even imagine where you get this idea.
Also, look into the IFR.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
How about releasing all their software in some open-source form? Oh right all revolutionary thinking stops when it might cut into the jet fuel budget for Google. Never mind.
According to Spiral Dynamics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics), a theory about human development, Google would be categorized as a company that has reached Second Tier. More specifically level Yellow. Yellow thinking follows the philosophy to "Express self for what self desires, but to avoid harm to others so that all life, not just own life, will benefit." I really believe Google is not evil. I think they are honestly trying to create win-win situations, with the biggest win for humanity instead of themselves.
These guys I think deserve a top ten spot. http://www.concretecanvas.co.uk/ Currently they take a week to produce one of these, if only these were produced en mass and distributed as relief aids. Apologies for trolling. These guys are based in Wales, I rang them last week having read about them on Wired, great bunch of people.
Term limits for all governmental employees, every single one, plus no pensions. Make all of government be forced to compete and live in the real world eventually and you'll see a lot less bullshit out of government.
[...] a gigantic orgy would commence. [...]
Imagine: no more bloodshed on the battle field.
Unless it was accompanied by rapid technique training (something highly unlikely that the US military would think about) there might still be plenty of blood shed from certain parts of the anatomy.
-- Our systemic servants do not good masters make.
Its impossible for the vast majority of women to have 3+ kids and work full time.
So this whole 'promotion' of work/caree by 'communist feminists' is really an indirect
way to reduce populations. If 50% of women work, that means that 50% of families have less
than 2 kids or no kids. So we have negative population growth, hence the government reason
for increased wild immigration to offset the losses.
If taxes were lower and things not so expensive then it would be easier for people to have
single income families and also to have 3 to 4 or more kids, with much less needed immigration.
Liberty freedom are no1, not dicks in suits.
These are worthy of mention...
The Aquanator captures power for underwater currents.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/09/26/1096137100758.html?oneclick=true
The Florida current has 30 times the flow of all rivers
of the World.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_stream#Possible_renewable_power_source
The Antarctic current has 135 times the flow of all the
rivers of the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctic_Circumpolar_Current
There are a lot of other underwater currents around the world.
This next idea has been more about how to do it vs. practicality.
I think the undersea currents are the best direction at present.
But for those who like to think on the fringe...
Some ppl have found out that 1% of the jet stream world wide
would replace all forms of fuel and power around the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_stream#Future_power_generation
No one has figured out a sure way to capture the power.
But I think I have an idea how to do it.
Cables from the extreme height to the ground in a 100+ mph wind
are going to be subject to terrible sheer forces.
Microwave loses power over distance geometrically.
With the high altitude aerodynamic balloon you can ease into
the high winds like jet liners do now to cut down on long
flight times.
A large Zeppelin like the prior planned Cargo-lifter, but
designed for higher altitude flight like planned by
21st century airships, and fuelless flight.
Cargolifter 160 tonne capacity planned Zeppelin: ( out of business )
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cargolifter
The fuelless flight idea:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nKltbQ8PBQ
21st century airships ( Strato-lites - High Altitude Balloons )
http://www.21stcenturyairships.com/HighAlt
21st century plans a balloon that will reach 67,000 ft
above all the wind and can act as a low cost satellite for telecom.
The jet stream is around 25,000 ft up.
Imagine these ideas as a hybrid where it can move into the
Jet Stream, and capture power via Super Capacitiors or in
some other extreme dense power storage method.
Then it glides to the ground once full of stored energy
in what ever form is most efficient and xfers it.
If two were connected like in the Fuelless flight idea,
it would have a Cargo capacity of near 320 tonnes.
The extreme cold at that height might also make
super conductors viable.
It is a wild and expensive idea, but it could be tested
small scale with a smaller model with long range remote controls
like 21st century has planned for their unmanned balloons.
A manned flight to 132,000 ft. is in the works right now.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2003/jul/11/spaceexploration.sciencenews
So 25,000 ft. unmanned is quite doable.
google "32 trillion offshore needs IRS attention"
Two of their five "criteria" do not sit well together:
The rapid implementation requirement kills anything I would want to bring to the table, that is stuff we haven't been able to fix in a generation though the need has been increasingly evident because it requires a more patient approach than markets will tolerate (even while they burn googillions in retirement savings without a thought that we might like some priority to investments which at least try to provide a "better" world we might retire into.)
-- Our systemic servants do not good masters make.
This reminds me of Microsoft's Competition:
http://www.microsoft.com/nz/imaginecup09/about.aspx
In 2009, the Imagine Cup challenges the world's most talented students to "Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems facing us today."
I find the goal a bit too broad for a challenging competition, there are also a few requirements, some of which I find a bit odd:
Ask me about repetitive DNA
... I doubt they will choose the best ideas. There are a tonne of great ideas with no voice to the ones who are capable of implementing them.
I hope for the best, but I'm a bit skeptical of this.
It takes upwards of 20 times that much for a regional roll-out within the US, and they expect 10 mil to cover global development of this idea?
I doubt I could even market a simple molded plastic widget worldwide for 10 million.
VLC FOR MAC IS DYING! IF YOU DEVELOP, PLEASE SAVE IT!!
Cheap Replicators
The problem is either ".co.uk" is not accepted, or possibly that I have my own domain name.
Either way, it does not accept "anne@thwacks.co,uk" (or near equivalents) as an email address. Theyn will have to do better than that if they want to save the world!
Sent from my ASR33 using ASCII
sorry
OpenSource government Framework: make a standard platform that would make debating ideas on countries easy, and that would have easy access to simulators (what would happen if we cut the VAT to ...) something like that. With a digg like system for voting for ideas of what to implement in each country (democracy) and the rationale for the implementation.
Nanosolar: Google already is a investor in the company, so why not release the "specs" of all the technology in the public domain free of royalties and see what happens ?
http://hexayurt.com/
Its Pyramid Power, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_power, increases gas mileage.
Although Pyramid Power got busted for razor blades and apples, they haven't tried it yet for increasing gas mileage.
If it doesn't work, it will make a cool fort for the kids to play in.
Maybe build a mini Stonehenge in your backyard, and get a Druid to bless your car?
Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
So... Google wants its own TED?
- RG>
Hey pal, this isn't a pleasantforest, so don't waste my time with pleasantries!
This sounds, to me, like a copy of TED. TED boasts that it is "Inspired talks by the world's greatest thinkers and doers."
TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. Since then its scope has become ever broader and offers The TED Prize is designed to leverage the TED Community's exceptional array of talent and resources. It is awarded annually to three exceptional individuals who each receive $100,000 and, much more important, the granting of "One Wish to Change the World." After several months of preparation, they unveil their wish at an award ceremony held during the TED Conference. These wishes have led to collaborative initiatives with far-reaching impact.
They sound very similar to me...
Notice this, right at the start:
Google isn't giving this money to the folks with the winning ideas. They're using the money themselves to enact your great idea.
This is clarified by the FAQ -- once the ideas are chosen, they will start an RFP process to choose who will do the implementation (I would assume they will also have Google people involved in the implementation at various levels). You (as the idea submitter) can suggest an organization you think would be a good choice for implementation, but it's up to them to decide.
Either way, a winning idea certainly doesn't mean a chunk of money is headed your way, or that you'll even be involved in the implementation in any way.
"Q: What do I get if my idea is chosen? A: You get good karma and the satisfaction of knowing that your idea might truly help a lot of people."
Doesn't sound like profit is the name of the game here.
Not for the idea submitter, no. Google may profit from the implementation of the idea -- they're handling that side of it, so this isn't anything like the MacArthur genius grant, etc -- but I think primarily in terms of image.
Basically, they are looking to splash out some money implementing a cool philanthropic project (which costs some money but gains them cred and image), and to get the coolest possible idea they are asking outside people for suggestions as well.
It's not evil -- in the end, the world does benefit -- but submitting an idea as your route to fame & glory would be rather starry-eyed.
Stop filtering the internet for 1.3 billion people.
That'll help change the World.
That would be a great thing for millions of people right there. Instead of a website which essentially says 'go away' - faqs faqs faqs everywhere, but never a human to see.
And they should redesign google groups so that those of us who no longer have perfect kid vision can actually see whats going on.
If Google really cared they would fix Android Chrome to reflow text, instead of discriminating