Have a Bright Idea? Let the World Know!

By Flickr user ieshraq
Back in 1996 when the internet was taking off, our founder Ami Dar changed our website name from "Contact.org" to "Idealist.org." The name signifies both somebody who believes in idealism, and of course, a literal place for good ideas. Clever, right? (Don’t worry if you didn’t get it at first. It took me a little while to figure it out myself.)

Now, there are all sorts of sites out there geared towards idealists. And quite a few with the word "idea" in its title, just like us. In the spirit of helping good ideas travel, I thought I’d highlight two cool websites that appreciate the entrepreneurial mind.

Imagine my surprise when, while browsing the internet the other day, I came across a site that has the same name as we do. Maintained by Hong Kong designer Bernat Cuni, Idealist is literally a listing of inventions that people can vote and give feedback on. I started poking around and found some good ideas geared toward making the world a better place. Some highlights: a bike that folds up like a 1950s-style bowling bag; hangers made out of plastic bottles; and a bench with a seat that flips like a page in a book when it gets dirty. And my personal favorite, an energy-efficient floating gym.

Ideablob is another site that encourages creativity, doing so by awarding one innovative business idea each month $10,000. I wrote about it when it first launched last fall, and it’s striking how many ideas since then are do-gooder in nature. There are currently hundreds in the "Non-Profit" category alone, ranging from philanthropic weddings to nonprofit wishlists to music for the deaf. Most of the grand-prize winners over the past few months, too, have all had a socially conscious bent. July’s winner, for example, was an idea for an organic food vending machine.

Have a world-changing project you’re itching to get off the ground? Or need some nudging? Try joining or starting an Idealist Group, an online space where you can connect with others and grow your idea.

This entry is by Celeste, who co-produces our podcasts.