Paladin
KC Hill
Craig Hill
jon
Oracle of DelphiGood Ideas grow on trees
September 20th 2006 12:23
Now here's a good idea; (wait for it...) The Department of Good Ideas. It's a good idea right? Not great, but you have to admit it's good. Sure, I hear you say, we already have New Idea but beyond the odd cheesecake recipe it's surprisingly bereft of ideas, good or otherwise. Think about it, people are always having good ideas (at least I do, if you don't you should probably lift your game) and most of them just fizzle away like a passing cloud in the crema of your coffee. But just imagine if the government actually supported good ideas instead of abandoning them to the whims of chance. If there was a dedicated department to collect, weed out (yes it's true they might not all be good ideas) and harness the power of Truly Good Ideas. I mean look at "The New Inventors" (ABC TV show) which is full of good ideas, some of which go on to win a perspex trophy and most sink into ignominious oblivion. An experienced and erudite panel could champion ideas and give them money, support and guidance to see that clever innovations aren't spilled on the dusty ground like so much heathen seed. It may be that the Good Idea just needs to be passed on to the right people. Or it may need refinement in which case funding could be given to turn a Notion into a Concept and then on to a fully-fledged Good Idea (credit must be given to Film Victoria and Woody Allen for that Idea.) Some ideas could even be sold. We could actually establish some credentials as "The Clever Country" rather than as an empty threat. Example: Everybody is too fat from sitting around watching TV so why not hook up an exercycle to the TV so that it only runs when you're pedalling? Or traffic management; why do we have those little buttons to push if you want to cross the road? Why not do it like in New York and the pedestrian crossing light automatically goes when the light turns green? It'd save a lot of hassle and money. Not impressed? Well try this; a light that's powered by the beating wings of all the stupid moths festering around it. No forget that, that's a bad example. Actually, what am I telling you for? I've already come up with the best Good Idea, you come up with your own.
| 65 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
I'm intrigued in the possibility, but flabbergasted at the potential practical difficulties.
Imagine -- every crazy with a crazy idea will be crazily spamming the department.
And perhaps the political sphere, in its entirety, already functions as a department of good ideas.
I mean, the trick is, you have to fight to get your idea heard by anyone. But as you're competing against every other good idea, why shouldn't you have to fight? Fair's fair.
Comment by backseat sniper