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

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61–70 of 191 posts

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

#61
post #55

Longer lifetime...200-300 years. There is just too much to do and time flies way too fast. One minute you are a 20 year old college student, the next minute you are 40 years old, running out the clock.

http://www.methuselahfoundation.org/ has helped provide monetary incentive for longevity research. So far they have increased the lifespan of mice by 20%

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

#64
post #55

Longer lifetime...200-300 years. There is just too much to do and time flies way too fast. One minute you are a 20 year old college student, the next minute you are 40 years old, running out the clock.

But is this of any use if we continue to deteriorate and need to spend more and more of our time one treating more and more aches and pains?

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

#65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

I find it strange that the majority of people thought the OP was referring to equal wages regardless of effort. It was pretty clear to me that he was referring to the difference in salary between countries for the same type of work. It disheartens me sometimes hearing that entry-level programmers in the US make $20 an hour, while I, with more than two years of experience, make about $30 a day . People don't realize h…

Upvoted because its true. I worked as an independent programmer(still do) and i often got judged by the country that i live in instead of how well(or badly) i do the job.

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

#66
Break the speed of light barrier. If it's not possible, then at least average out our speed to be faster (like the bending the universe sort of method). Even 1.1c would mean we wouldn't really know the limit, and would shrink the universe within reach.

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

#67
End all fraud. The online version of this is, Spam, Phishing, Spyware, identity theft, etc. Offline: con artists, political bribery, tax evasion, ponzi schemes.

I don't believe eliminating all crime is possible, as I can always whack my neighbor over the head with a stick and steal his wallet, but alot of crimes are only possible because the victim has a lack of good information. This is fraud. Eliminate or drastically reduce all fraud.

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

#68
Something I thought of when I was studying engineering at Uni (I dropped out) was to fit a small device onto the accelerator cable of a car that can apply varying degrees of tension to the pedal. This device would be moderated by the computer in the car to "condition" the driver to adopt a more fuel-efficient driving style. If you drive in a non-fuel efficient manner, there would be more "drag" on the pedal, thus requiring slightly more effort. The "sweet spot" of minimal drag/tension would encourage drivers to maintain a driving style which is the most fuel-efficient speed/acceleration.

This idea depends upon the ability to condition people over time in an almost subconscious manner. Not sure if it would work or not.

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

#70
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.

I would argue that someone destined to be a good programmer would have the ingenuity and drive to install a freakin' compiler and IDE. It isn't exactly rocket science.
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