Propose:Business, Economy, Policy:da Vinci Concept - a think-tank for all fields and all problems
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da Vinci Concept: a think-tank for all fields and all problems
This is a foundation whose members differ in both background and education. The members of this foundation propose to create a methodology for cross-discipline collaboration. This foundation proposes to formulate a means fror solving any real problem. This does not mean the solution to every problem, or the solution to every problem addressed, but instead addresses a means, a general method to a solution.
It is obvious that not every problem has a generalizable solution, and that not every solution will have an identifiable means. This is only temporary. Higher level reasoning can provide hints at what direction needs to be taken by future entrepreneurs and problem solvers.
--sunny Sun Dec 14 17:43:44 2003
charmed_quark Mon Dec 29 16:17:55 2003
The links that you provided, about technology in third world countries, that you provided in another thread were the types of problems that I imagined this foundation would solve when you first descibed it to me, must have been a couple of years ago. It's these types of problems that I might be qualified to work on.
What is first needed is a way of systematically identifying specific problems and defining what constitutes a solution. The defining of the problem is where the most creative thought is required for real world problems. Once you have a well defined problem, 'brute force' type of thinking and effort can usually come up with a solution.
Example from the articles you link to: Realizing that African farmers had an irrigation problem took insight and firsthand experience. Designing a low cost pump is easy by comparison.
A simple way is just to have people suggest problems and use the organization to prioritize and direct efforts to solve those problems. The trick is to 'format' those problems in a way that is not overly broad (world hunger, crime, poverty), but at the same time non-trivial.
--charmed_quark Mon Dec 29 16:17:55 2003
sunny Sat Jan 3 17:54:15 2004
CQ, you are likely "qualified" to work within many different areas, and not just in the most humanitarian. It is your mind that qualifies you and not your degree field or specialties of study. One of the underlying premises of the da Vinci Concept is that through the interaction of diverse knowledge areas the best possible, long-term, meaningful, generalizable solutions are created.
I think that it is a cynical perspective and reliance on "brute-force" afterthoughts that create poor, short-term, and overtly specialized solutions. We are not trying to patch the world with a plethora of duct-tape solutions. We are making an industry out of successful problem solving. Our intent is very specific. Successfully problem solving. And this means that a problem solution should at least point toward the optimal in all cases. This means long-term. This means, whenever possible, mathematically optimal. This means the minimization of regulating policies, the replacement of policy with working practice to create solutions that are self-sustaining and thus profitable.
The "MoneyMaker" irrigation pump was successful because it was profitable. The reason that it is a solution and not just a brute-force attack on a symptom is because it is a very fundamental issue. Common brute-force attacks on the symptoms of starvation within third-world countries are to throw grain supplies at them, medical supplies, any kind of aid that might alleviate the symptoms of starvation. This is a brute-force "solution," and these are not actual solutions to any problem at all. Any type of brute-force "solution" will always be addressing only the symptoms and not the root of the matter.
In the case of the third world, the root problem is the lack of fundamental freedom, political and economic. Because the third world is rife with warfare and oppression and therefore lacks fundamental freedoms no amount of freely given aid will change its state. Individuals within these countries must choose to change. Since we cannot force their government to change then the solvable problem is the lack of any type of internal economic market. The solution is the creation of these markets using the similar solutions to the "MoneyMaker" irrigation pump. The solution is to create native entrepreneurs, to provide the means for them to begin making money and resources.
[ Edited Mon Jan 19 2004, 03:47PM ]
--sunny Sat Jan 3 17:54:15 2004
joryea Thu Jan 29 19:41:42 2004
How large a group of individuals are we talking about here? Is there a limit to the amount of people recruitable into this foundation of problem solvers? When do you wish to begin taking direct action on this project, other than the action already taken of coarse? I feel it would be best to actually begin the formation (creation) of this group. Iím quite sure the members of this site itself are capable of much direction. We are all quite diverse, and together, who knows what were capable of. Weíll never find out if we donít at least experiment a little. Perhaps we should create some threads based on direct discussion with possible problems worth our time in solving, and take the steps towards coming up with a solution, working with it, and perhaps even involving the actual people involved in the problem if the solution found is sound.
This is what Iíd like to see happening. If you feel itís to early to begin such action, although Iíd disagree, itís your project, Iím just here to help out if possible.
--joryea Thu Jan 29 19:41:42 2004
sunny Sun Feb 1 14:29:46 2004
I've considered this question before. Psychology and common sense hold that there is a definite upper limit to the number of people that an individual can possibly know at any one time. I would like the foundation structured so that everyone can know everyone else. This makes for much better communication. This means a smaller organization. A smaller organization means a much more nimble organization, adaptable, versatile, yet large enough to be diverse. Likely less than a hundred individuals, but more than 30 or 40.
There is a thread for originating problem solutions. Please see New Problems and Proposals thread.
[ Edited Sun Feb 01 2004, 11:23PM ]
--sunny Sun Feb 1 14:29:46 2004
