It’s the perfect anniversary present for the company that has everything. As Google turns 10 this month, it’s kicked off a contest where people submit ideas they say will do the most good for the most people around the world. The winners won’t receive the prize money, but their ideas will be funded–Google plans to distribute $10 million among as many as five top ideas. And in the end, the world will be a happier place, for Google and for us, or so the contest site says.
The contest, called Project 10 to the 100th, is based on a simple idea, the site says: “Beyond a certain very basic level of wealth, the only thing that increases individual happiness over time is helping other people.” And Google wants to make the world a happier place, so the winning ideas will be those that help the most people, and thus make the most people happy. (Just an aside: $10 million is nice, but the U.S. could use more like $700 billion right about now–with that, Google could make a lot of people very happy.)
Anyway, there are seven categories for idea submissions, including encouraging communities, building opportunities, sustainable energy use, environment, health, education, shelter, and then a catch-all category for “everything else.” The deadline for submissions is Oct. 20, and the top 100 will be presented for voting on Jan. 27. So get your helping hat on and submit your idea. Google needs to spread happiness, and you can help.
