Creating a substantial and culturally diverse world that runs without money.
Could you break that down into a few sub-problems?
HN: Name a problem, any problem, you'd like to see someone solve
51–60 of 93 posts
Re: HN: Name a problem, any problem, you'd like to see someone solve
#52A controllable, smartphone-based car entertainment system.
Any smartphone could be plugged in via a USB-like cable which transfers I/O, audio and power. The car's up/down/left/right "radio" buttons would then control like/dislike/next/previous for Pandora-like apps running on the phone. Throw in another 2 buttons or so for other functions. There would be an open "key-mapping" standard which would be implemented in the OSes which music apps could tap into. There would be a standard set of programmable-per-app buttons (not unlike video game controllers)
Voice is unusable when music is playing and touchscreens are too dangerous. Mobile and digital entertainment technologies move so fast, yet I only change my car twice in 3 decades or so - I don't want to be constrained by what technology was available when I bought it.
Re: HN: Name a problem, any problem, you'd like to see someone solve
#53A mobile app to share resumes, so you don't have to carry paper resumes to jobs fairs (thought of it at the SxSW Tech Career Expo)
Powered by NFC. tap here's my resume.
Re: HN: Name a problem, any problem, you'd like to see someone solve
#54Port emacs to clojure
Re: HN: Name a problem, any problem, you'd like to see someone solve
#55When I'm in the grocery store, looking for an obscure item (cheese cloth is the one that made me think of this). Build me a mobile app to search and get info on where in the store the item is.
Solving a problem is often about finding the right approach / fudging the problem into something you can solve. And there is actually a disruptive solution to this: online shopping. Amazon has cheese cloth.
The problem is that it was a spur of the moment decision to try to make ricotta, needed it then and there. Amazon solves this if you regularly need cheese cloth, but not if you have never heard of it and all of sudden find out you need it that night.
Re: HN: Name a problem, any problem, you'd like to see someone solve
#56Introduce coding to public school curriculum at the middle school level. Advanced middle school students can handle the basic concepts, and honestly, they won't be any more disinterested than they are in poorly taught foreign languages. It may even intrigue some who otherwise would not have gotten the exposure. Also, I love what Codeacademy is doing, but it's hard to delete all your work and start from scratch (which I find I need if there has been a long layoff between my coursework.) Also, there aren't enough exercises/concept. For me, I need 5-7 exercises to drill a concept into my memory, I get that it's new, but they should consider adding more exercises at each stage as they grow. I'd also love to see a brick and mortar Code Academy that offers some form of certification after taking classes and passing tests (a more traditional education approach). For those of us who have only learned in the traditional classroom for 20+ years, I think some would rather pay to attend a school like that.
Re: HN: Name a problem, any problem, you'd like to see someone solve
#57p = np? haha, just kidding. Actually, my issue is this: how do we get the average Joe to understand (formal) logic and probability (so that we can get people to understand the aspects of risk better)?
Participate in, promote, and fund skeptical societies and skeptical outreach groups. This is one of many topics that these groups try to cover.
For example, these two podcasts have had positive influence: Skeptics Guide to the Universe Bad Astronomy
This is actually one of those problems where an established solution (outreach/education) with time and money would actually work well.
Re: HN: Name a problem, any problem, you'd like to see someone solve
#58I want to pay when I've read a great article. I might even want to subscribe to that newspaper / magazine / journal.
But I don't want a print edition mailed to me. I only want an online subscription.
I want someone to make it easy for me to pay a dollar or so for a great article.
Re: HN: Name a problem, any problem, you'd like to see someone solve
#59An alternative to incarceration or a better experience while incarcerated. Something more humane, less costly or better yet, an alternative to the current prison system that has a net positive effect on society and the economy. Apparently, there's a lot of talent locked up - what a waste: http://www.quora.com/Prisons/What-are-some-aspects-of-incarc...
This article contains descriptions of brutal crimes. It is a fascinating, disturbing, read.
(http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/health/dealing-with-dement...)
Re: HN: Name a problem, any problem, you'd like to see someone solve
#60When I'm in the grocery store, looking for an obscure item (cheese cloth is the one that made me think of this). Build me a mobile app to search and get info on where in the store the item is.
How about asking one of the store employees lurking about?
(Your idea is indeed pretty cool. It would be nice if your smartphone walked you up to the item you are looking for. But I don't see a positive cost/benefit factor. It will be needed only on rare occasions.)
I can see this being useful in large libraries too.