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Ask YC/HN: What's a problem you'd like to see someone solve?

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Re: Ask YC/HN: What's a problem you'd like to see someone solve?

#21

Post by mrtron »

I got flamed for suggesting this recently, but I'd like to see it:

Equal wages/prices for all regardless of geography, brought on by a single world currency and the internet? That would solve world hunger (which is a money issue, not supply issue).

edit: Awesome. It's getting downvoted here too? What the hell is wrong with the concept?

edit 2: Oh I was completely blind to the obvious here...I mean equal wages in terms of task (not geography). A McDonalds worker should make the same here or in another country (assuming McD's was charging the same for burgers too). Software developers who contract online are approaching this equality. I am not suggesting communism or some sort of set rate for work, individual productivity is really important.

Re: Ask YC/HN: What's a problem you'd like to see someone solve?

#22

Post by vyrotek »

gravitycop wrote: post #17

Problem: lump-sum up-front car-insurance that fails to take into account how much customer drives, and other risks. Potential solution: Car insurance by the minute/mile with instant-update rates based on: * steering and pedal input * time-of-day/day-of-week * location * speed * acceleration data It's a $200 billion market (US only). http://www.ohioinsurance.org/factbook/2006/chapter1/chapter1... With payment by the m…

I believe http://inthinc.com/ and http://tiwi.com/ are trying to do just that :)

Re: Ask YC/HN: What's a problem you'd like to see someone solve?

#23

Post by inerte »

notyouravgjoel wrote: post #18

Once you've identified what the exact problem, the solution is often obvious. And, since this IS a tech startup website, I cant imagine people who have possible solutions giving them away here.

Some things are obvious but not doable by just one, or even ten, people :)

For example, lately I've been thinking that a good solution for problems in Africa is to make possible to profit there. Just that. Companies will come, flourish, jobs will appear, health will improve, etc, etc...

How do you enable business in Africa to be more profitable? First, you need law (a stable and predictable set of rules to operate), and then education. Wish I could dethrone the dictators there and stablish schools and colleges, but it's not going to happen.

I am not claiming my solution is the best one, or that even it is original. But we do know the problem, now how work on the solutions...

Re: Ask YC/HN: What's a problem you'd like to see someone solve?

#24

Post by johnrob »

mrtron wrote: post #21

I got flamed for suggesting this recently, but I'd like to see it: Equal wages/prices for all regardless of geography, brought on by a single world currency and the internet? That would solve world hunger (which is a money issue, not supply issue). edit: Awesome. It's getting downvoted here too? What the hell is wrong with the concept? edit 2: Oh I was completely blind to the obvious here...I mean equal wages in term…

How about free food for everyone?

Re: Ask YC/HN: What's a problem you'd like to see someone solve?

#26

Post by gravitycop »

vyrotek wrote: post #22
gravitycop wrote: post #17

Problem: lump-sum up-front car-insurance that fails to take into account how much customer drives, and other risks. Potential solution: Car insurance by the minute/mile with instant-update rates based on: * steering and pedal input * time-of-day/day-of-week * location * speed * acceleration data It's a $200 billion market (US only). http://www.ohioinsurance.org/factbook/2006/chapter1/chapter1... With payment by the m…

I believe http://inthinc.com/ and http://tiwi.com/ are trying to do just that :)

Tiwi is an insurance company? Is Inthinc an insurance company?

Re: Ask YC/HN: What's a problem you'd like to see someone solve?

#27

Post by paraschopra »

mrtron wrote: post #21

I got flamed for suggesting this recently, but I'd like to see it: Equal wages/prices for all regardless of geography, brought on by a single world currency and the internet? That would solve world hunger (which is a money issue, not supply issue). edit: Awesome. It's getting downvoted here too? What the hell is wrong with the concept? edit 2: Oh I was completely blind to the obvious here...I mean equal wages in term…

I don't understand why you got downmodded. Although I don't agree with you on equal wages/prices, I do +1 to you just for the freedom of speech sake.

Re: Ask YC/HN: What's a problem you'd like to see someone solve?

#29

Post by Mystalic »

Dilpil wrote: post #16

One click install java IDE and compiler. One click install C IDE and compiler. One click install Erlange IDE and compiler. And so on and so forth.

It can be complicated for a non-techie to even set up an apache server on their computer. We'd probably have a couple more good programmers in this world just by breaking down that barrier.

Re: Ask YC/HN: What's a problem you'd like to see someone solve?

#30

Post by CaptainMorgan »

mrtron wrote: post #21

I got flamed for suggesting this recently, but I'd like to see it: Equal wages/prices for all regardless of geography, brought on by a single world currency and the internet? That would solve world hunger (which is a money issue, not supply issue). edit: Awesome. It's getting downvoted here too? What the hell is wrong with the concept? edit 2: Oh I was completely blind to the obvious here...I mean equal wages in term…

I didn't down or upvote simply because I think it's an honest suggestion. But it's impractical because the diversity is too vast to warrant an equal playing field such as you're suggesting. There are those that try really hard and succeed magnificently, while there are those that sit back and are too lazy to get anything done and would rather collect welfare. There are polar opposites too, those that try really hard but fail, and those that are lazy and somehow succeed.... you're telling me that no matter where these groups fall, they should all receive equal wages? Reiterating that I didn't downvote you, I can certainly see why someone would. So the explanation I just noted is simply my view and what I've seen and ultimately your concept is not practical nor fair.
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