$10 Million for YOU

Ever feel like you want to help the world? You have all the ideas, you know they’re better than what’s out there, but how is little old you going to fund a project that will really have an impact on the global community?

Google announced Wednesday the launch of its 10^100 Project (pronounced “10 to the 100th”) in which they will be giving out $10 million to help with just these sorts of ideas. And according to CNN.com, the internet mogul will be taking submissions through October 20th from YOU. “By opening the project to anyone — not just laboratories or universities — Google is embracing “crowdsourcing,” the Internet-age notion that the collective wisdom of mass audiences can be leveraged to find solutions to design tasks” (CNN.com).

Google has put no limits on the types of ideas they are looking for, however, submissions should focus on issues that affect the well-being of the global community such as food, shelter, clean energy, health, and education. One example cited by Google and supported by The Rathaus is the Hippo Water Roller, a device designed to ease the weight of carrying water for villagers in need of transporting from water sources to their homes.

Worried your idea is just not there yet, that you may need more expertise to bring it to fruition? No need, because Google is willing to take care of this for you. Just let them know what’s on your mind.

Entries will be narrowed down to 100 by Google and an advisory board, and between January 27 and February 2 the public will have a chance to participate in the voting process. The chosen 20 finalists will then be reviewed by a panel of experts and in mid February between one and five winners will be announced with the $10 million being spread among the selected winners.

For more information on the 10^100 Project go to www.project10tothehundred.com.To read a call to action for humanity based product design (including the Hippo Roller) read Project H Design on Core 77

by: Tricia Rock and Scott Starrett