By Gail
I think high speed internet should be a right that everyone who has a device that bares the internet should be entitled to. I think this should be done by fireing everyone in social service accept those who are trained in Psychiatry, accounting, and Law, and using the money that you would have paid those employees with to give everyone the best internet possible.
Taking this action would solve many problems, not just the internet one. :)
Woop woop!
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By Gail
I suggest that the website that 311 tells everyone to access to see if they qualify for benefits, and also that gives you the option to apply online for medicaid, food stamps, and welfare, called ACCESSNYC.GOV
Actually be a real working website.
Because right now, (and for a month now,) it's been under construction. It's not real.
And still. To this very moment, 311 workers, social workers at centers all over the city, hospitals, and government representatives, are telling people to go to it, to find out information :).
But the site doesn't exist :).
I suggest that it start existing :).
Idea, Fin.
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Cost effective alternative to the Olympic games
By Shireesh
The olympic games have been accompanied by pomp, splendor, ceremony - and a huge waste of money by the nation hosting them. The (often newly built) grand stadiums, and venues have almost zero return on investment (ROI) once the games are over. The burden is especially hard on poor and developing countries where the money could be better spent on much needed social and poverty alleviating programs.
I propose that the olympic games be discontinued as a centralized, once every (x) years occuring, grand event. Instead, I propose that any existing facilities (stadia, venue) already built in any country be accredited (just as academic institutions are accredited) for their ability to accurately measure the "highest", "strongest" and "fastest"; the classic objective metrics of excellence in the Olympic games. Where the judging standards are subjective, for example in events such as diving, gymnastics, synchronized swimming etc., an accredited body of judges can travel to the venue/stadium where the applicant or team wishes to demonstrate their acumen.
Such a policy will allow anyone anywhere in the world to "compete" at any time in any event of his/her or the team's choice - subject to their passing the minimum qualification standards. For example, if a person in Sao Paolo, Brazil wished to run a 100 m event tomorrow, he could show up at any accredited stadium in the country, procure an appointment to run, and run on the prescribed day. If he is timed at less than the prevailing time for this event, he is designated the "Olympic champion" in that event.
In this scenario, the title of Olympic champion is not held for a particular length of time (as is now) but can be overturned as soon as someone "beats" that record in any accredited stadium/venue at any time. The proposed paradigm allows for much more "democratization" of sporting ability and a much more egalitarian way to measure success in a particular event without lowering standards
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How not to let the beautiful game of soccer be decided by a penalty shootout
By Shireesh
Twice now, the Euro 2012 soccer championships have had to be decided by a penalty shootout. Penalty shootouts do not ensure that the better team wins. I propose that the following criteria to be taken into account; with appropriate weightages given to each; to decide the winner of a soccer game. It seems a shame that the “beautiful game” should be decided by a penalty shootout; which is essentially a gamble and relegates the game to the same level as cricket.
1. Percent ball possession
2. Attempts on goal (those that hit the post or contact the goalkeeper)
3. Percent of completed passes with weightage given to those completed in the opponent’s half versus those completed in own half.
4. Number of times dispossessed.
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By Shireesh
Genetically or mechanically engineer trees (flora) to capture water from the air via leaves and transpire the moisture out through the roots. This technology of capturing water from the air is increasingly being deployed in arid regions of the world, why not think of how to get plants to do this? This way, plants would actually irrigate the soil by capturing moisture from the air and transpiring it out through their roots.
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Save water while washing dishes
By Charlie
When washing dishes at the kitchen sink, I need the water to run only while rinsing. But because of the inconvenience of turning the water off and on, I leave the water running even when I don't need it.
I want a pedal that shuts the water off.
I've seen adaptations of medical "scrub room" plumbing, where the user uses a pedal to turn the water ON (see link). However, this requires users to learn how to use an unusual fixture.
I'd like to kitchen faucet to work normally for the uninitiated. Frequent users would learn to use the pedal to interrupt the water flow when the water isn't needed temporarily.
The same fixture could be installed on a bathroom sink for use while shaving.
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Informal Logic could be a component of Secondary Education
By Kevin
With modern culture dominated by anti-intellectual advertising, students are at risk of growing into adult babies, compelled to act only for material reward. Informal logic may be an enticing way to rouse adolescents from this laziness by framing the curriculum as 'creative thinking.' The end goal, or final exam, being more of a transformation instead of a regurgitation of axioms.
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Drink mixes could be not artificial and support ORS treatment in developing countries
By Geoff
A new company, Everly, creates drink mixes that do not have artificial ingredients and also funds ORS treatment in developing countries.
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Locate, map, and auction off land for conservation and other positive uses
By Matt
The concept would find large swaths of land and attempt to purchase this land so that it can be put to good use. Hundreds of square miles of rainforest? Locate, map, and auction it off to be used for research and conservation. Underused wastelands? Vacant buildings and factories? Find them and auction them off to be put to good use.
The system would operate like a massive crowdfunding campaign: Individuals will locate land, etc. currently owned by certain interest groups and agree on a price, if the interest groups are interested in selling. Individuals and groups can then donate money to whatever cause/land purchase is in question. Their donations would only go through if the maximum goal is met or exceeded (i.e., if the land was able to be purchased). A certain amount of money would go towards the basic buy-out fee that the interest groups require, and a certain amount of money would go towards whatever plan(s) were put in place for the land.
There are many potential uses for this: purchasing land for conservation or research, building schools and charities, and providing space for any and all positive programs.
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Start by Reading: Capitalism and Creativity
By Alice
Recently I've been reading two books side by side, concerning Capitalism, Generosity and Creativity. The first is "23 Things they don't tell you about Capitalism" by Ha-Joon Chang: a clear, user-friendly guide to the pitfalls of the current system. The second: "The Gift: How the Creative Spirit Transforms the World" by Lewis Hyde, is a compelling sociological study in gift giving traditions, gratitude and how the creative genius should cease to be neglected. Everyone who cares about the world as we know it should read these books.
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