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Ask HN: Any well funded tech companies tackling big, meaningful problems?

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Re: Ask HN: Any well funded tech companies tackling big, meaningful problems?

#81
post #72
post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was actually thinking about the long-distance transmission lines, but that's a good point about potentially needing to upgrade local lines. As a non-EV owner, I can't discuss much but I was under the impression that you could just plug in to a normal wall socket for a slow charge. I suspect that you're referring to the Level 2 quick charging station. If that's the case, that would certainly impact you depending on…

I can't find the original article I saw this in (8 or so yrs ago), but here's one that talks about some of the infrastructure sizing issues (45 vs 100 kVA). The second one talks about current grid storage/production and the need for increased capacity. Good news is that we are nowhere close to the breaking point, but the numbers in the article are way less than if all (or even half of) cars were replaced with EVs. It…

Thanks for adding the sources. I'm 80% sure that The Grid [https://www.amazon.com/Grid-Fraying-Between-Americans-Energy...] had discussed electric cars helping solve some of the distribution/transmission problems, but that was from the view of the large power companies, not the smaller local munis (and maybe paired with smart meters? It's been a while since I read it). However, after reading the two articles you cited, it's actually just moving the bottleneck and in the wrong direction to a point where it's harder to manage changes.

Re: Ask HN: Any well funded tech companies tackling big, meaningful problems?

#83
post #36

If you’re interested in having an impact I highly recommend visiting https://80000hours.org/ The biggest impacts can often be made in areas that are most neglected and have high negative or positive outcomes. At the very least it will help you form a mental model of how to spend your time and the types of problems to focus on.

Thanks for sharing. Their emphasis on the neglectedness of an issue and focusing on the margins is great.

Re: Ask HN: Any well funded tech companies tackling big, meaningful problems?

#84
post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why'd you leave--just curious?

I wanted to do more creative work, whereas the work at Plenty was more about problem solving.

Oh interesting, I guess I've always thought about problem solving and creativity as being one and the same. Mind expanding on this a bit?

Re: Ask HN: Any well funded tech companies tackling big, meaningful problems?

#85
post #36

If you’re interested in having an impact I highly recommend visiting https://80000hours.org/ The biggest impacts can often be made in areas that are most neglected and have high negative or positive outcomes. At the very least it will help you form a mental model of how to spend your time and the types of problems to focus on.

This is fantastic! Thanks for sharing!

Re: Ask HN: Any well funded tech companies tackling big, meaningful problems?

#86

Telsa, Gates Foundation, etc. Ugh. Please stop 'helping' us. My general guess is that anything actually worthwhile will have little to no private funding behind it. Global heating. Racism. Soil extinction. Fascism. Disenfranchisement. Inequality. Female disempowerment. etc. I guess there is government cheese for global heating. Not sure how much useful work would be done outside of government-run and/or -funded labor…

This is exactly what I was hoping this thread would disprove. But so far I think you're probably right. Private interest just doesn't seem to be seriously willing or able to tackle the big issues.

Re: Ask HN: Any well funded tech companies tackling big, meaningful problems?

#87
post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Fair. But I do think "better = good". It fits my main query of 1. Well funded 2. Trying to solve meaningful problems

Yeah, they are better than some places. I should probably go back to the main thread an see what others suggested. I wasn't able to think of any for-profit organizations whose mission it is to fix a world problem and goes beyond just being a tagline.

Yea, neither could I. Hence the thread. It really does feel like the worlds greatest minds are all just busy trying to find creative ways to sell ads and it's kinda sad.

Re: Ask HN: Any well funded tech companies tackling big, meaningful problems?

#88
post #33

Loon from Google/Alphabet [1]. They are attempting to connect remote and rural areas of the world. They are currently providing commercial service in a difficult to reach/low ARPU area in Kenya [2]. Loon uses standard 3GPP (LTE) protocols, so devices are available at low cost and even lower in used markets. I don't work for Loon or Google, just interested in HAPS (High Altitude Pseudo Satellites) to provide low cost…

Wow, Project Loon. It’s been a while since I’ve thought about it. It seems kind of pointless now, doesn’t it? StarLink will displace it in a couple of years.

Re: Ask HN: Any well funded tech companies tackling big, meaningful problems?

#90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wanted to do more creative work, whereas the work at Plenty was more about problem solving.

Oh interesting, I guess I've always thought about problem solving and creativity as being one and the same. Mind expanding on this a bit?

Not OP but I feel like I can an example here.

The workplace I am at solves a very prevalent set of problems For retail industry. But there is nothing creative about it. (Of course, there are some creative workarounds but it wouldn’t be characterized as creative work)

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