Ask HN: What super projects could unite humanity?

#1

Post by mathgladiator » Thu, Sep 30, 2010, 9:31 AM UTC

For context, http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1742606

What kind of world changing super project could humanity solve that would unite us towards a common goal?

Re: Ask HN: What super projects could unite humanity?

#2

Post by zacharypinter » Thu, Sep 30, 2010, 9:40 AM UTC

Not exactly inspiring, but an alien enemy would be a pretty good way of uniting the planet towards a common goal.

Re: Ask HN: What super projects could unite humanity?

#3

Post by slater » Thu, Sep 30, 2010, 9:54 AM UTC

Making all data collected by gov't agencies, institutes, universities etc. available, for free, in a standardized format.

Re: Ask HN: What super projects could unite humanity?

#4

Post by Vargas » Thu, Sep 30, 2010, 10:31 AM UTC

ITER

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITER

Re: Ask HN: What super projects could unite humanity?

#5

Post by noverloop » Thu, Sep 30, 2010, 10:37 AM UTC

slater wrote: post #3

Making all data collected by gov't agencies, institutes, universities etc. available, for free, in a standardized format.

this would make a big difference in the fight against rare diseases, I know someone who has an illness that is not adequately researched because it is too rare.

Re: Ask HN: What super projects could unite humanity?

#6

Post by scrrr » Thu, Sep 30, 2010, 10:42 AM UTC

The Internet will provided it stays free and open. Through freely available information eventually we will resolve our petty differences, overcome destructive behavior and start fixing big problems like illness and space flight. Perhaps.

Re: Ask HN: What super projects could unite humanity?

#7

Post by arethuza » Thu, Sep 30, 2010, 10:43 AM UTC

zacharypinter wrote: post #2

Not exactly inspiring, but an alien enemy would be a pretty good way of uniting the planet towards a common goal.

If we have to invent an enemy alien civilization can I suggest we decide to go to war with the Culture?

Think of it: godless, drug-using communists in space!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Culture

[NB I've always suspected that Iain M. Banks is a Special Circumstances agent - installing an author to write "fiction" about themselves is exactly the kind of sneaky thing the Culture would do]. ;-)

Re: Ask HN: What super projects could unite humanity?

#8

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Sep 30, 2010, 10:50 AM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: What super projects could unite humanity?

#9

Post by mindcreek » Thu, Sep 30, 2010, 10:55 AM UTC

zacharypinter wrote: post #2

Not exactly inspiring, but an alien enemy would be a pretty good way of uniting the planet towards a common goal.

I believe an extra terrestrial threat that we can visualize and also threatens whole humanity can unite us other than i doubt any worldly issues will unite anybody.

Re: Ask HN: What super projects could unite humanity?

#10

Post by suprgeek » Thu, Sep 30, 2010, 10:58 AM UTC

A Killer Asteroid (one that is big enough to wipe out all humanity) on a guaranteed course to collide with Earth within the next 10 years unless we do something about it. If basic self preservation against a visible and quantifiable threat will not unite humanity - I have very little hope for anything else.