On: Ask YC: Are You Guilty of Not Solving World's Problems?

[Tichy]

I don't think that only solving the most basic problems is worthwhile. Like, is it OK to make music? It doesn't help against hunger in the 3rd world, so it is a useless activity? But maybe occasionally some guy who is working on solving the hunger problem finds the strength to go on by listening to your music. Or so I imagine...

Nevertheless sometimes I wish there was something more direct I could do. I just think the original article was a bit short on suggestions.

Hm, that reminds me of an idea of mine, that some people gave me good feedback about. Perhaps some people here like it and want to join in making it? Basically, I envisioned a bug tracker for the whole world: http://www.cambrianhouse.com/idea/idea-promoter/ideas-id/NcJ... (I suggested this for the StartupWeekend in Hamburg, but unfortunately something else was selected...).

[paraschopra → Tichy]

Yes, I agree with you that it is worthwhile to help someone by making music. But that is a very indirect way. Wouldn't it be more helpful if a better percentage of entrepreneurs worked on projects that help the world directly and powerfully?

Your idea is interesting. Maybe http://www.suggestionbox.com/ is something like that?

[Prrometheus → paraschopra]

>Wouldn't it be more helpful if a better percentage of entrepreneurs worked on projects that help the world directly and powerfully?

I think the world would be a better place if people in poor and starving countries could sustainably enjoy a standard of living similar to what we have in the west. Did the west get so rich because of people trying to help us, or was our wealth a by-product of the capitalist system that we never consciously strove for? I would say the second.

[Tichy → Prrometheus]

There were a couple of bloody wars in history, too, some of them might count as striving for something (freedom)?

I think most people in poor countries are also poor because they are being held hostage by their government.

[bjcook → paraschopra]

That's exactly what we're trying to achieve.

It's where individuals speak and companies listen. Helping to create an ongoing conversation between companies, groups, Nonprofits and their customers who are individuals or employees is our goal. If we can improve the experiences we have with the things we interact with on a daily basis doesn't that support a better quality of life as well?

[Tichy → paraschopra]

Suggestionbox looks interesting, will check it out at home when I have more time...

I guess it is not the same as the world tracker, but it has some common elements.