Google’s Project 10 launched September, 2008, which marked the 10-year anniversary for this popular Web site. This ambitious project asked Google users to come together to change the world. Anyone and everyone was asked to submit their ideas for one year. The same Internet public who provided these gems are about to be put to the test: voting on the Project 10 ideas is now open.
Project 10: The Response
Google asked for the world to contribute, and the world responded. Since Project 10 launched in 2008, more than 150,000 ideas have been sent in. The official Google blog reports that these ideas were presented in no less than 25 different languages. Google employees (more than 3,000, according to reports) reviewed each and every one, and now it’s possible for the public to vote on the ideas they like best.
Voting on Project 10 Ideas
The many different ideas that came in from around the globe were sorted and grouped into 16 major ideals. Topics which can be voted upon include plans for health monitoring and data analysis, making government more transparent, and working toward socially conscious tax policies. Project 10 voting ends on October 8, but as of right now it’s open to all. The results of the Project 10 vote are expected to be released later in the month.
The Bigger Picture
So… what’s the point? It’s nice that the Internet can bring together so many people, nice that one web site would do so much to raise awareness of important global issues. What’s a lot nicer is that Google is going to give $10 million in order to implement the top ideas voted upon by Project 10 participants. Not only will the idea have a solid investment to bring it to life, it will also be associated with the world’s most powerful search engine.
But Project 10 is only a single starting point, just one example of everything which could be accomplished on a global scale. Give the world somewhere to go and something to do online, and the world will answer. An idea is only the beginning of an invention, only the first building block for innovation. When people start to believe in an idea, it becomes much, much more. Perhaps Project 10 foreshadows a new way of dealing with the issues, of sharing with others and serving the greater good. Perhaps the world really can be changed… one idea at a time.
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