Sometimes I come up with great ideas too.
Adult Education – For most of us we tend to stop learning once we’re done receiving our primary education, either after finishing high school or after completing a Bachelors or Master’s degree. Of course we still “learn” new things throughout life, either through osmosis, our social networks, shows and movies, the occasional book, or nowadays the ever popular podcast method. But we’re not actively studying random facts outside of our chosen professions just for the hell of it like we did when we were in grade school. If we do learn something new as adults it’s highly likely that what we’re learning is going to tie in with what we’re already interested in and conform with our already firmly established worldviews. Taking the time to gather all the relevant facts, to learn both sides of an issue, to stay informed on every issue, just doesn’t happen all that often.
That’s why fake news spreads so easily. Why there is so much political upheaval. Why there are so many Climate Change deniers. Why there are Flat Earthers. We have all become victims of our cognitive biases, refusing to change our worldviews even when presented with compelling new evidence, choosing to believe that which we grew up believing, that which adheres to how we already perceive the world. Our only hope for a better future, a cleaner future, a future with less hate, is to become more open-minded, to become skilled in the art of learning new facts, to get to the point where it becomes second-nature to always learn new things and accept new facts, even paradigm shifting facts that change the way the world works.
In order for that to happen we need to change how we learn. No longer can it be acceptable for people to shut down their minds and coast through life once they are done with their formal schooling. No longer can it be acceptable for people to reside in online filter bubbles that reinforce their personal beliefs. No longer can life-long learning be considered an optional pursuit, something left to academics, nerds, and bored retirees. Instead we need to establish a culture based around continuing education. Based around the constant pursuit of obtaining the latest knowledge, across all walks of life.
Antiquing Board Game – Patchwork is a two player game where you compete to build a quilt out of oddly shaped Tetris like pieces while collecting buttons. Believe me, it’s a lot more interesting than it sounds. This got me thinking though. If someone can make a board game about quilting then surely I could make a game out of something equally obscure, yet close to my heart. A game about antiquing.
Here’s how it would work. Each game would come equipped with multiple game boards depicting various settings where one might go antiquing. There might be a house undergoing an estate sale, an actual antique shop, a garage sale, a junk yard, a local swap meet, etc. Whatever the case may be.
Each of these boards would be littered with random items and players would be tasked with collecting items from an assigned shopping list without going over budget as they navigate their way across the board with alternating dice rolls. The key to the game would be to move about the board as efficiently as possible, to collect all the items on your list before your opponent collects all the items on their list.
Now here’s where things get interesting. Also scattered throughout the board would be certain obstacles. You may be forced to sell an item that you already collected in order to pay one of your bills. Or your opponent may have an opportunity to swap out something from your collection for something that they don’t have a need for. You may even be in a race to be the first to collect an item that you both need. But have no fear. If you pass by one of the conveniently located pawn shops you’ll be able to swap or buy back anything you need.
Sylin’ and Profilin’ – An algorithm that helps us fill out our online dating profiles. Such a program would craft the perfect profile for us, customizing a series of standard templates based on our specific interests. It would even select our best pictures for us using facial recognition software that culls our social media platforms. No more awkward bathroom selfies or group shots where you can’t tell who it is that you’re supposed to be looking at. Instead only the best, quirkiest, most fun-loving pictures would get selected. The pictures that show who you really are, not who you want to portray.
In fact, by removing our ability to sell ourselves we’d be stripping away everything that’s wrong with online dating. Carefully crafted selfies, humble brags, and hey look at me antics would all be devalued. Instead of coming across like we’re trying too hard we’d all become genuine versions of ourselves, our true essence boiled down to a series of ones and zeros by an emotionless algorithm that knows us better than we know ourselves.
DoorStash – This reverse food delivery service would partner with DoorDash, Uber Eats, GrubHub, and all the rest to take leftover food to homeless shelters and food pantries. The infrastructure to pull this off already exists. We just need to connect the dots.
Reverse Trailers – What I’m envisioning is a way for people to watch the equivalent of movie or TV show highlights. A reverse trailer of sorts that gives away the entire plot in two minutes or less. Spoiler alerts be gone. The spoiler is now the whole point. Considering how much content now exists this may be the only way to keep pace.
Books, Looks & Hooks – In regular speed dating eligible bachelors play a glorified game of musical chairs, rotating from table to table in five minute increments, trying to make a good first impression while speaking about any topic they can think of. Books, looks, and hooks would be more focused. No ice breakers necessary. No corny pickup lines needed. Instead, the only thing you are allowed to comment on or talk about is the book that the lady has chosen to bring with her.
Are any of these the Greatest Idea Ever?
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