Today Google announced that it will award $10 million to fund ideas that promise to better the world. Called Project 10^100 (pronounced "10 to the 100th"), Google and a panel of judges will pick five ideas in February. According to Google, the ideas can be high tech, low tech, complex or brilliantly simple but the idea must have impact.
In an article on CNN it says "Ideas such as the Hippo Water Roller, which Google cited as the kind of concept the company would be interested in rewarding. Developed in Africa, where it is most used, the Hippo Water Roller is a barrel-shaped container, attached to a handle, that holds 24 gallons of water and can be rolled with little effort, like a wheelbarrow, making it easier for villagers on foot to transport critically needed fresh water to their homes."
To submit an idea you must do so before October 20. The website for submissions can be found here.
As I began to roll up my sleeves, spit into my hands and rub them together fiercely, I started to think about how some of my ideas could help save the world. OK, None. I also thought: how does one solve the problems in other countries having not been there before?
The reality is that a lot of my ideas - some posted here in this blog and some on the way - are "convenience adders" or "small nuisance solvers". All potentially profitable and helpful in a world looking for innovation, but not the type that could wrestle a Nobel prize away from a German scientist.
But, I considered, am I thinking too small? Why couldn't I be the one? I just need to think bigger, right?
At that point, I was reminded of one of my favorite quotes. It is from Jim Morris, the major league pitcher whose story was featured in the motion picture The Rookie starring Dennis Quaid. A powerful story even if you are not a baseball fan (yes, I cried when he got the news he was being called up to the big club). When asked about how he was able go from being a high school baseball coach to pitching in the major leagues, he said:
Leaving yourself open for something bigger than what you think is possible
Call me crazy, but that is just a great concept. Why not me? Standing on the stage with four other people, the flash bulbs going off and my pockets full with thousands of fresh $100 bills ready to fund my big idea.
If not me, how about you?
How about a wisdom of crowds model? You use your site to collect best ideas, improve them, critique them and then submit the best one(s)? How you/we will split the money when we win has to be a consideration!
Posted by: Martin Bishop | September 25, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Now that is a cool idea. Talk about thinking bigger! It mixes Quixoting with another concept that I've been working on called Qarving. One generates the ideas, the other "Qarves" them into better ones. Hmmmm. Thanks Martin!
Posted by: TTS | September 25, 2008 at 06:53 PM