Ski bindings that work more like crampons. Maybe the whole structure of the boot could be removable, such that skiers don’t all resemble arthritic robots when walking around the lodge. This might sacrifice performance, but would make walking more pleasurable, as well as doing backcountry hiking/skiing.
March 7, 2011
March 5, 2011
OSAD #4
Collective bidding all over the internet. Imagine being able to go to any website where a product you want is sold, and instead of purchasing at the company’s listed price, you can bid on what you’d really want to pay. Other people can come to the site and bid as well. And, if the company realizes that they can sell 1,000,000 products at $10 instead of 1,000 at $15, then the collective bargaining works. This could also be applied to lower the eBay “buy it now” prices.
Yes, it sounds like Groupon, but exercises much more freedom on the consumer’s part, and would be totally flexible throughout the web.
March 3, 2011
OSAD
#3
An effective and intuitively designed interface for remote group ideation. Many prominent design firms use techniques for brainstorming that includes sketching ideas, sharing them in a group, placing them in a visible location, and then voting and grouping using sticky notes.
(see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M66ZU2PCIcM)
There should be a way to accomplish this without having everyone in the same room. Sometimes an even greater problem than having everyone in 1 space is having an adequate space to conduct this type of brainstorming – you need a large surface, paper, things to hang paper with, and sticky notes.
Why can’t we do this on iPads or laptops instead?
March 2, 2011
OSAD
#2
A service that puts your online deals on a map/calendar so that you know what your deals are and when you should spend them. Just an organizational thing.
March 1, 2011
OSAD
One Startup a Day
I want to try and post one startup idea (or rough idea that could eventually be turned into a startup) every day. It’ll inspire me to start thinking of more ideas and help me hone in on what I’m interested in starting.
Duration? For as long as I can remember to update.
#1
an athletic training tool that selects music specifically for your pace/workout/goal to help you run faster, lift harder, work out better.
February 10, 2011
Chris Hughes – 6.976
need for more social media / internet education in schools. online profiles/using email/etc.
why no diversity in the entrepreneurial space?
social networking might become more personal / more compartmentalized
decline of email?
asana – check it out.
http://www.ted.com/talks/sheryl_sandberg_why_we_have_too_few_women_leaders.html
February 3, 2011
Dragon
Actually kind of accurate?
http://www.usbridalguide.com/special/chinesehoroscopes/Dragon.htm
November 25, 2010
Giving Thanks
It’s 22:35 on Thanksgiving, and I’ve realized that I have kind of brushed off this holiday. I haven’t spent a thanksgiving at home in 5 years, and it hasn’t really felt the same since. While many of my friends would join their families across the country, I kind of just thought about how much I missed being home, and didn’t really pause to give thanks for everything that I did have. This year, I’m at my second-cousins in NY, and am so lucky to have my mom here with me as she finishes a visit to my grandmother in Montreal. I miss the big table, big meal, big hearts that we had in our rotating-Thanksgiving dinners. This Christmas will be particularly special, with my grandparents, aunt/uncle/cousin (and dog!) joining us in Ashland for the first time. I’m really looking forward to this.
But to pause. I am incredibly thankful for my family. I love being able to pick up the phone and feel so happy after talking to any one of them. My mom, for being my best friend. My dad, for always giving me sound advice and guidance. My brother, for being such a spunky, interesting, and loveable little hunk. And I have also immensely enjoyed talking to my grandparents more on the phone this year while I’ve been in school.
I’m thankful for my friends. I love them and lean on them. I’m so lucky to have them around in the same house, or very close nearby. Also grateful for meeting and loving a person who has led me on new adventures, with many more to come.
Especially, I’m thankful for where I am in my life. The fact that the future has promise and swelling potential. I still don’t know what I want to do immediately after graduation, but I am grateful for the wonderful place that I’m in, that gives me the freedom to explore and challenge myself.
October 21, 2010
Startup Fever
Now is the time, not only to start a company, but to somehow act upon the burgeoning resources that are springing up for entrepreneurs. From an article on yahoo!:
They’re entering industries that previously required large investments, thanks to websites that offer help with manufacturing, inventory management, and accounting
Takeaways:
- top MBA programs creating programs focused on entrepreneurship and innovation labs
- university curriculums are changing – more focus on forcing students to actually take the plunge and try a startup
- global dissemination of information & knowledge is facilitating starting companies, from communication with China, to wholesale international goods.
October 20, 2010
Hugh Herr – 6.976
Hearing Hugh Herr talk about his research, inventions, and entrepreneurship last night absolutely blew my mind. He is singlehandedly changing the world of prosthetics – turning what was thought of as a disabling solution to a problem, to a beautiful, and powerful augmentation of the human body. His devices seem to make him super human – he uses less energy than we do, can climb rocks harder than we can, and can even augment his height to whatever he desires. I’m craving more technology like this – that makes you sit on the edge of your seat and shake your head is disbelief when you hear about it.
