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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