A contest

[trailertrash]

I propose a contest. We are the thinkers, right? But we always stumble because we don't have enough time, energy, or money to follow through on all of our grand ideas.

What if we have a contest for the best innovative idea. Something that we can make money on. Everyone who enters into the contest, must give a submission fee. Fees will be pooled and used for implementation of the winning idea.

All contestants would then be issued a dividend if the winning idea returned money.

Let's organize! and use our powers to help each other.

Thoughts?

[kuranes]

All fees should be sent to Kuranes for safekeeping, of course.

[trailertrash]

We could work out the details like that later. A pay pal account would work, maybe. The question is whether people would be interested in organizing.

[mgb]

I predict that Hustler will steal all of the ideas.

[MacGuffin]

I predict that Hustler will steal all of the ideas.
Just who do you think trailertrash IS?

[trailertrash]

No. Not Hustler. Thank God.

[kuranes]

The idea that of brainstorming workable ideas seems excellent, except that the better they are, the more likelihood they could be stolen in a public forum like this. I think it would be good to form a SIG on it, and to get to know one another, as far as those who are interested in this direction. There seems to be a lot of people on the forum who truly don't want to be bothered with entrepreneurial concerns, even though discussing cool ideas is OK with them. I guess I'd be more interested in such a SIG than I would a "contest", although I understand the spirit of proposing one.

[YardGnome]

I'll come up with the mother of ideas, that is when I get around to it...

[trailertrash]

The idea that of brainstorming workable ideas seems excellent, except that the better they are, the more likelihood they could be stolen in a public forum like this.

That is a consideration, but ideas are just ideas until they are acted on. They could steel it, but if they didn't have the resources or expertise, the idea would be useless. Working as a group on the project would be were the value would lie.

I think it would be good to form a SIG on it, and to get to know one another, as far as those who are interested in this direction. There seems to be a lot of people on the forum who truly don't want to be bothered with entrepreneurial concerns, even though discussing cool ideas is OK with them. I guess I'd be more interested in such a SIG than I would a "contest", although I understand the spirit of proposing one.


What's a SIG? An investment group, I'm assuming. I'm open to that, but I think it would lose the competitive aspect that drives creativity so well. It would be much more practical though, and easier to orchestrate.

[Shai Gar]

yeah, i'd do that, but i would much rather not pay

[Vagabond]

[Hustler mode] I should pay to enlighten you? You should pay ME instead, ignorant fools.[/Hustler mode]

[kuranes]

What's a SIG? An investment group, I'm assuming. I'm open to that, but I think it would lose the competitive aspect that drives creativity so well. It would be much more practical though, and easier to orchestrate.
SIG stands for "special interest group" and is typically a "group within a group". So, for example, in an association like "Chicago Information Technology Club" there would be many members who just go to meetings now and then for general info; and for a presentation that may apply to their personal interests, but may not; where they can catch up with other members as they hang around. BUT . . . .within the CIC there may be 15 or so SIGs that are geared towards specific niche interests. So there might be a Graphics SIG, for example. If enough people in the graphics SIG were interested in "computer animation" then they might change the name of the SIG if they want to focus on just that, or they might have an informal "SIG within a SIG" dedicated to that. Eventually such a "mini-SIG" might grow big enough that they want to ditch the informality of it, and become a full fledged SIG separate from the "Graphics" SIG. And so forth.

So this SIG you are talking about could be the "inventor's SIG", or it could be the "Entrepreneur's SIG" or whatever. ( Investment would be an option down the road if you hit it off with a person or group that becomes real tight as time goes on. I wouldn't suggest starting that way. )

People ( including me ) have joked about their tendencies to start things but not finish them, and so what you originally suggested is theoretically more practical, if all we wanted to do was float up a balloon of an idea and then move on. However, if I had a really great idea, I don't think I'd want to just "blow" it like that, even if I wasn't sure I would ever have the time to commercialize it. There will be conversations between people where this sort of thing comes up, but I'd rather be talking about something that we hope to eventually DO something with. If we ultimately don't, well; that's different than telling ourselves right from jump street that it's all just for farts and giggles.

I guess I don't see the "prize" being too much incentive right now, though technically it COULD be.

This forum has people who are tech whizzes, and also people that have good people skills etc. Theoretically, the makings of a business organization are amongst our ranks. People with no interest in it can elect not to participate.

[tragula]

http://www.globalideasbank.org/site/home/

[trailertrash]

I'd have to agree with you on most points. This is something that would have to be "grown". People would have to buy into the idea of it.

I appreciate your concern about letting go of your balloon, but here are some things to think about:

1) Many people can have ideas, or steal them, but it takes a whole team of people to make something come to fruition.

2) If concerns are that strong, or the idea is that good, for $100 you can get a provisional patent which solidifies the date you thought of an idea. I have one right now. It takes six weeks to get it, and lasts for a year.

3) Written documentation of your progress on an idea, in the form of a blog for instance, is the best evidence of the inception of an idea and holds up in court better than any other document - not that you'd want to end up in court.

These might not be the arguments that you'd like to hear, but I don't think any level of familiarity with your business associates would prevent all fear of betrayal.

Tragula: I love the site, but those are all ideas that are unpatentable and nonprofit.

[trailertrash]

I'm looking to move out of my trailer.

[kuranes]

I'd eventually share things with certain people within the SIG, obviously. I'm not suggesting that we all keep the ideas strictly to ourselves until we die. I'm guessing you don't like the idea of a SIG?

[trailertrash]

SIG is fine. It sounds like you have experience. Could you get it started?

[trailertrash]

Why won't my pictures take? Any suggestions?

[kuranes]

If you're trying to send a pic of yourself, I'm no tech expert, but people doing that generally use that thread called "What we look like" for whatever reason. PM the member named "File Cabinet" if there is some technical aspect of the site that you are having trouble with. He'll help you if he's around. OR . . you could always ask Jim Kopelli. Just ask him. He'll tell ya.

Feel free to PM me as well regarding the thread topic. To answer your other question, I'm not an expert on intellectual property. Just laying out what I think would be a good start. I didn't want to do it the way you originally suggested. I'm not sure who else was interested.

It's strange, because you would think more people on a "thinker" site would be interested in something like this.

[trailertrash]

I thought more would be interested too. Motivation problems. Maybe once someone comes up with some blockbuster ideas they'll get excited about it.

I just thought it would be great to harness our collective brain power behind a common goal - namely self-sufficiency. Too many of us are managing a Borders.

Where are all of you?! WAKE UP!

Thanks for the tech tips.

You have to stop using acronyms. I've only been blogging for a month. PM. Post Message?

[trailertrash]

I've gotto run. Until tomorrow.

[kuranes]

PM means "personal message" on this site. It's something that other members do not see.

[trailertrash]

OK. I've definitley seen some others interested in things like what I'm proposing. They've just taken different forms in different threads.

The main goal is to have a collective that can accomplish the things that we as individuals cannot.

Some of the threads have degenerated into classical career searches or flights of fancy about utopian communities.

Let's stay focused. We are talented people. We think alike - it's scary! And we are very, very capable. But we tend to try to accomplish things as individuals, which never works out. Take it from me, I'm trying to start my fifth business and I'm not even thirty.

Organize and think positive. Something will happen.

If it were up to me, I'd start by taking an inventory of our abilities. Some kind of database.

[kuranes]

I see you're from Austin, TX. Lots of tech entrepreneur-ship going on there. Are you a guitar player? I'm assuming music is important to you.

[trailertrash]

It's the live music capital of the world! No I don't have the patience to practice. I taught myself a song on the piano - let it be by the beatles - but like other INTPs, I get board after I know I can do something.

I'm definitely a conosiuer though. (did I spell that right?)

I'm moving there in one week and I didn't feel like changing my profile. I'm in a backwater town in central florida right now.

Tech entreprenuers - yes yes yes. I want to get some on my team and start inventing things. I thought of a great one last night right before bed.

I need an expert in cell phone electronics.

[trailertrash]

I'm outa heeeerrrreeee! Talk later - no connection in the trailer.

[Ascending]

You'll need a machette to whack through the apathy around here.

[trailertrash]

Yeah, I've noticed a little cynicism. It's the result of negative thinking and to quote Dr. Evil "the general malaise" of the genius.

I just finished watching American Splendor. What do you guys think, Harvey Pinkar - one of us? I'm pretty certain he's a good example of the unhealthy version. :zombie:

[jimore]

These might not be the arguments that you'd like to hear, but I don't think any level of familiarity with your business associates would prevent all fear of betrayal.




Yeah, I've noticed a little cynicism. It's the result of negative thinking and to quote Dr. Evil "the general malaise" of the genius.




I thought more would be interested too. Motivation problems. Maybe once someone comes up with some blockbuster ideas they'll get excited about it.

I just thought it would be great to harness our collective brain power behind a common goal - namely self-sufficiency. Too many of us are managing a Borders.

Where are all of you?! WAKE UP!




The main goal is to have a collective that can accomplish the things that we as individuals cannot.

Let's stay focused. We are talented people. We think alike - it's scary! And we are very, very capable. But we tend to try to accomplish things as individuals, which never works out. Take it from me, I'm trying to start my fifth business and I'm not even thirty.


Dear Mr. Trailertrash:

I don't have enough information or evidence to label you a second rate con artist, nor can I rule out the possibility that you are in fact sincere and destined to be part of a group that does indeed band together and become fabulously wealthy. What I can, and feel obliged to say is that your proposal has more red flags flying over it than the average United Nations Headquarters building. Looking in my INTP crystal ball, I see a time when there really would be an investment nest egg. Of course before any real money is deposited in the kitty, everyone would have to agree on an absolutely foolproof method of keeping the money safe— something that would "prevent all fear of betrayal". And then comes the magic moment when the investment money is actually transferred to the investment implementers... And ... "No, this can't be, I sealed the envelope myself!!" (or similar words that mean we wuz robbed). "How could I have been so stupid."

Therefore, I am going to offer this thread a REAL FABULOUS INVESTMENT OFFER. Each one of you has the choice of either sending me a large sum of money (preferably in small, unmarked bills), OR, reading the following information for free, or cut and paste it and sell it to Time-Life, or try to get it patented, or expose it as the sour grapes of a negative loser from whom your hero will rescue you thus earing your undying gratitude ----or anything you please.

Book Title: How to Become a Real Con Artist in 10 Easy Lessons.

1. Pick your marks carefully. Look for some common thread among the prospects. Ideally, it should be some characteristic that is really unusual but is misunderstood and undervalued by the general public.
"We are talented people. We think alike - it's scary!"

2. Develop a real need for the marks to come together for a common purpose.
"But we tend to try to accomplish things as individuals, which never works out."
Be flexible. Be prepared to answer and dispel all objections no matter how "sensible" they seem."
For example, suppose you have a group of people who have the common trait of not completing projects. You must be prepared to answer questions like "well if you have ten individuals who have trouble completing projects, and you band them together, won't you then have a group that has trouble completing projects?"

3. Develop word swapping skills. For example, change "reasonable doubts", to "cynicism". Remember that when you word swap, you should have a reason to discredit the words you want to change. " It's the result of negative thinking." It is really more powerful if you can name a culprit, someone to blame. "Dr. Evil ‘the general malaise' of the genius".

4. When you first start your career as a con artist, you may have trouble developing a real plan of your own. Don't be afraid to ask for help from your marks— it reduces suspicion. "once someone comes up with some blockbuster ideas they'll get excited about it."

5. Develop comradery.
"Let's stay focused."

6. Build up a sense of urgency.
"WAKE UP!"

Seven, eight, open the gate..
Better to pick up your checkbook, lock it out of reach, and rush out and buy yourself a lottery ticket.

... wanders off to take a nap...

[kuranes]

I think he was sincere. I wasn't planning on sending any money to anyone until I got to know them real well, anyway, but the idea of finding fellow entrepreneurs here remains strong with me. Trailertrash moved to Austin, and apparently got very busy there, as I have not heard anything from him in a while.

[kuranes]

Yeah, I've noticed a little cynicism. It's the result of negative thinking and to quote Dr. Evil "the general malaise" of the genius.

I just finished watching American Splendor. What do you guys think, Harvey Pinkar - one of us? I'm pretty certain he's a good example of the unhealthy version. :zombie:

It's "Pekar" not "Pinker". I know Harvey. He's a good guy. Don't know ( or care much ) if he's INTP. I can get along with other types, usually. He somewhat recently got over a bout with cancer which may or may not answer the question about "unhealthy"?

[jimore]

I think he was sincere. I wasn't planning on sending any money to anyone until I got to know them real well, anyway, but the idea of finding fellow entrepreneurs here remains strong with me. Trailertrash moved to Austin, and apparently got very busy there, as I have not heard anything from him in a while.

Finding fellow entrepreneurs with whom you share methods of operation characteristics is sound thinking, and this might well be a good place to find them. The trailer fellow might indeed be sincere, it is just that my scam alarm operates on a hair trigger and when it goes off, I say so. Rather go through the embarrassment of distrusting someone at first and be proven wrong, than the reverse. It is typically easier to apologize than it is to get your money back once it has flown the coop. As for me, I am retired and prefer not to discuss the four letter W word or the five letter M word, and don't even want to consider the ten letter I word. Peace. :)

[Star Cannon]

How we start a cafe called "gleich um die Ecke?"

Serve European (I'm thinking more towards Deutschland!) drinks and food including Spezi!

[prometheusdestroyed]

The idea that of brainstorming workable ideas seems excellent, except that the better they are, the more likelihood they could be stolen in a public forum like this.


Ideas are pretty much worthless, I think, unless you have an idea and patent it and screw up the implementation for someone else who would like to use it and had the idea second who would have to pay you. It's like people wandering around with book ideas - someone might steal it and 'just' write the book from my fabulous idea. The hard work/genius is in the implementation usually. If you are idea people then coming up with an idea to sell ideas is the way to go or, alternatively, seize on the millions of ideas out there already and put in the effort and implement them

[jimore]

Ideas are pretty much worthless, I think,

Agreed. Ideas are very cheap to manufacture. Using them is the hard part.