61–70 of 100 posts
...Half as long, but twice as bright.
In the US, many of the most problematic and disruptive issues are economic (just ask all the people whose homes are going to be facing foreclosure over the next 2 years). Because of this, the startup I'm with has decided to do something to help consumers make sure they are on track for a secure and meaningful retirement (as one of the financial planners we're working with points out, you can't eat your house and retirement is the only thing you can't borrow for). There are all kinds of stories about retirements that have been derailed and we're working to make sure that everyone with less than $1 million will have access to unbiased, personalized and affordable advice.
PBS's Frontline did an excellent series that covered some of the unfortunate Americans who are struggling to make ends meet in retirement or saw their pension plans raided:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/retirement/stories/
The stress that results in financial difficulty can be enormous and having enough money for retirement is the #1 concern for consumers in their 40s and 50s. What will happen if this issue doesn't get solved?
It's hard to say what measures will be successful, but I know that everyone involved with Boulevard R feels that if we can give consumers an online process to prepare for retirement, make the interface engaging, track their progress and deliver customized content then we are really providing a social service.
I love to talk about social ventures so feel free to get in touch. Here's a great company that's creating LEDs people in developing countries:
dlightdesign.com
i can't believe i've gotten to the bottom of this thread, and no one has mentioned this. first of all, you can't look at kiva.org and tell me that software can't make a difference in the world. second of all... - measured in dollars, the bill+melinda gates foundation is the biggest charitable organization in the country, by an order of magnitude. they give more to fight aids in africa than any country does, i believe…
It's great to set your goals high, to think about making the world a better place, but I wonder if in reaching for those lofty ideals we sometimes forget simple, local things you can do, like being kinder to the people around you. It took me a while to get my MD and Ph.D. and I've done research and helped build cancer treatment systems. At the end of the day, I feel that I'm an ant moving a leaf compared to Bill Gate…
this just reaffirms that the little bubble world of YC, TechCrunch, and Web 2.Oh really don't mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of life. This guy wouldn't trade some extra time with his family for all the startups and VC cash in the world. Saving time is to me the most important point of doing a startup. You compress the tedious business of making a living into the smallest number of years, instead of letting it d…
Chase dreams. Take risks. Fail often. But love the whole process as it unfolds.
this just reaffirms that the little bubble world of YC, TechCrunch, and Web 2.Oh really don't mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of life. This guy wouldn't trade some extra time with his family for all the startups and VC cash in the world. Saving time is to me the most important point of doing a startup. You compress the tedious business of making a living into the smallest number of years, instead of letting it d…
I have to fiercely disagree with that point. Tomorrow is never ever promised, as this story about the CMU professor shows. It's impossible to bank time, when you may never have a chance to withdraw it. The original post quote does a good job of keeping life in perspective. Chase dreams. Take risks. Fail often. But love the whole process as it unfolds.
I donate to charities, and I've founded companies that have made really good products and offered great services, but I've never made the type of contribution that saves lives. Charity doesn't work. "Human dignity is more important than wealth" (1). What we need is working economic systems, not handouts. Have you looked at Acumen Fund? It's the organization Google.org works to spur economic development in places that…
Charity may not work, but there's plenty of evidence that charities do; they exist as organisations to convert money into exactly the kind of progress that you argue is necessary.
this just reaffirms that the little bubble world of YC, TechCrunch, and Web 2.Oh really don't mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of life. This guy wouldn't trade some extra time with his family for all the startups and VC cash in the world. Saving time is to me the most important point of doing a startup. You compress the tedious business of making a living into the smallest number of years, instead of letting it d…
I have to fiercely disagree with that point. Tomorrow is never ever promised, as this story about the CMU professor shows. It's impossible to bank time, when you may never have a chance to withdraw it. The original post quote does a good job of keeping life in perspective. Chase dreams. Take risks. Fail often. But love the whole process as it unfolds.
All forms of endeavor involve some form of risk management whether cognized or not. The prospects of a startup with the possiblity of high equity yield over a short period of time being a good investment increase with the competence of the original founders. Obviously PG was competent. The only reason you should 'fiercely disagree' is if you are not, in which case your argument only applies to yourself.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I have to fiercely disagree with that point. Tomorrow is never ever promised, as this story about the CMU professor shows. It's impossible to bank time, when you may never have a chance to withdraw it. The original post quote does a good job of keeping life in perspective. Chase dreams. Take risks. Fail often. But love the whole process as it unfolds.
So do you not brush your teeth each day because you are not sure if you will be alive tomorrow? All forms of endeavor involve some form of risk management whether cognized or not. The prospects of a startup with the possiblity of high equity yield over a short period of time being a good investment increase with the competence of the original founders. Obviously PG was competent. The only reason you should 'fiercely…
It's tough to say it without drawing out cynicism. Warren Buffet used to talk about why he didn't donate money earlier purely in terms of a return on capital. He felt (correctly, it would seem) that he was better at making his capital grow than many other people, and as such, would leave charity to others in the meantime, and give his money later (which he has). The way I think about it is that I'm confident I'm bett…
Warren Buffet rocks.
ps: if you really into math, statistics, and feel good about everyday job, the best book to read and get into the field is "Biological sequence analysis" by Durbin, Eddy, Krogh and Mitchison.