Sometimes I think we need an English to English translator. Regionalisms … Street Talk … Academic and technical language … You’d have an app that could reword anything from pop music lyrics to Shakespeare in ways you’d understand. Or vice versa. Need to sound super-educated? Or just clever? App would do that. Could call it Read More …
It’s one thing to be a detective, doing the actual sleuthing that can get you killed. Or a scientist doing the actual research. It’s another to be a professional theorist. The ultimate specialist. He doesn’t gather any clues. No, when all your theories seem to go nowhere, you seek him out, and he comes with another, Read More …
I’m inching forward with a spinoff from Steal My Ideas, Please. Rather than just give away ideas, through posts or emailed answers, I’m moving into developing some with friends and even total strangers. If you’re an illustrator, software designer, writer or JUST LOADED AND LOOKING FOR PLACES TO INVEST, check out www.wackydadandfriends.com. I hope to Read More …
Here’s a win-win for charities and advertisers. It’s a site where companies get good publicity in exchange for matching contributions to charities. Plus it’s a way for philanthropic, benevolent souls to get more bang for their buck. Basically, works like this: Charities and companies with existing matching-contribution programs sign up, agreeing to link to the Read More …
No, I’m not talking about burning off calories by talking. Just seems that exercise would be more fun if it had an element of socializing. Noisy machines, regimented classes, the need to grunt while weightlifting, the love of quiet in yoga … they all work against talking. So why not design routines to be compatible with conversation? First, have participants stand in Read More …
Just as some people need help being neat, perhaps some obsessive types need help being sloppy. Business-wise, the great thing about this service is employees would be a snap to find. Then again, such help is probably widely available for free. Everybody has a friend who’d be only too happy to come and leave stuff Read More …
Gossip columns are popular, and so are TV series. Doesn’t it seem sometimes that people are almost as interested in TV characters as they are in real people? Aha! Do a newspaper column called Character References that’s “gossip” about what happened last night on TV. Write it up in chatty mock-shock-schlocky style. Boldface the unreal names. Only Read More …
Clearly, newspapers are best when readers have lots of time. And newspapers know they need to have content for the five-minute reader. But how about being multi-tasking friendly? What kind of content could you enjoy while you’re watching TV? Eating dinner with the family? Driving? Out on a date? (Patience: Asking dumb questions sometimes leads Read More …
You know you need to be told what to do. So call 1-900-GRANDMA. Press 1 to be told to get a job. Press 2 for her rap on keeping your pants on. Press 3 to be scolded for using sauce that comes in a jar. You suggest the rest …
Think about it. On TV, if you see two people who are happy, they’re probably eating, drinking or having sex. Maybe this is part of the obesity epidemic. Who shares the message: Feel lousy? Be patient. Sigh, suffer and cry, if you need to. The rottenness will pass and you’ll feel better. Trust me. It’ll happen. Or, Read More …
Want to outdo the Truth Booth? Right next to it, set up the Praise Chaise. (OK, I’m committing another Rhyme Crime.) Anyway, a silver-tongued host stands by a lounge chair, and invites people to lay back and relax, while getting effusively flattered (an ego massage). Bet this would do better business than the Truth Booth, but they might complement (and Read More …
Caricatures. Palm readings. Balloon-tying. Face-painting. And once upon a time, kissing. Many are the arts and gimmicks people have provided in booths at fairs and malls, for profit and nonprofits. But how about a Truth Booth? Basically, somebody sits there and when someone pays a buck or two, gives a truthful answer to a question. Could be about the asker (“Is Read More …
Ever notice how many current and once-popular brands sound like baby talk or nonsense? Google. Barbie. Madonna. Sudoku. Bambi. Yahoo. Howdy Doody. Coca-Cola. Pokemon. Pop-Eye. Wham-O. Oreo. Goobers. iPod. eBay. Frisbee. Gumby. ABBA. Barbra. Pizza. The Doobie Brothers. Dydie Diapers. Tutti frutti. The Bee Gees. BVDs. Jeep. Fuji. Hula Hoop. Uma. Oprah. Subaru. OK I’m exaggerating, but simple nonsense is (a) simple, (b) Read More …
What if stores had PhoneZones where customers could tap into all kinds of customer service options through their cellphones? Rohit Bhargava starts a discussion on his Influential Interactive Marketing blog, saying a photograph of a barcode could give shoppers immediate access to all sorts of price and product information. I’d like to see it do even more, like fetch a salesperson, tell what’s in Read More …
One worry I have is that many of the ideas here are tricky to turn into a business. But here’s a way to make money right away, have income to write off expenses, get feedback, find possible collaborators, and collect information that could become a book: Teach an evening class at a local high school. Want to write a Read More …