After the presentation on homelessness, I wanted to do a bit more research into models that would provide funding for such a program and increase its sustainability. I stumbled upon this article outlining a company called “The Giving Keys“. Word of encouragement are carved onto keys and sold at various retailers with the proceeds going to end homelessness. In 2017, they “helped 22 people move into permanent housing and employed more than 70 people who have struggled with homelessness.” I really like this model because it uses the marketplace to funnel resources and training to people in need from people who care about the situation. Great social entrepreneurship model that could be used as a framework for operations in many other areas of the country. Would be very interested in comment from members of the group that presented on homelessness.
Monthly Archives: April 2018
Drone surveillance vs. the surveillance of drones
I found this article to be highly relevant to today’s discussion concerning drones. The Trump administration wants to make it easier to intercept electronic communications from drones in order to protect sensitive targets. In other words, they want surveillance of drone surveillance.
Increased Fees at National Parks
I thought I would post the National Park Service’s press release from last week that addresses some of the fee increases we discussed today during our presentation at Zion and other national parks. Among the many interesting points the article addresses, one fact stood out to me. The article points out that Mount Rainier charged a $5 entrance fee in 1914, and adjusted for inflation, that would be $123 today. However, current prices at Zion are $15 per person or $30 per vehicle. I think it is interesting to think about how much cheaper it has become to visit national parks today as they have become more popular.
Should Law Enforcement Agencies Use Drones to Fight Crime?
This short piece talks about current trends in using drones for law enforcement. The author follows some of the concerns highlighted by the group that presented its proposal in class today.
Even though drones are praised as useful tools for fighting crime, several cities, as Seattle, have pushback its use due to legal an cultural issues.
Building Homeless Shelters on the Sides of Buildings?!?
This article is about a way to provide low-barrier housing to homeless people. As we will discuss today, a lack of low-barrier housing is one of the barriers to homeless people turning their lives around. It is not a problem our project can address, but an associated problem we hope can be addressed by others.
3 Key Lessons We Can All Learn From Andre Ingram
It is not very often that we post about athletes on the blog, but, with the NBA Playoffs underway, I thought this article touched on some traits seen in both athletes and entrepreneurs. I actually heard and read about Ingram’s story about a week or so ago, and I recall thinking to myself, “His patience and work ethic are probably traits that many successful entrepreneurs had to possess during the difficult start to most of their entrepreneurial careers [dreams].”
Basically, Ingram, 32, was never drafted and had been playing in the NBA’s Developmental League for the past 10 years (with the hopes of one day playing in the NBA). It is important to note that he was only making $30,000 a year, but refused to give up on his goal. Then, after 10 years, the Lakers signed him for the final two games of the season. Not only did he achieve his goal, but he finished with 19 points (11 in the first six minutes) and became the oldest player in the NBA since 1963 to have scored more than 15 points in an NBA debut.
With that being said, I guess my point is that we have to believe and keep developing the ideas that we present throughout these weeks. They are all innovative and have potential, but it is our approach, mindset, and perseverance that will evolve those ideas beyond their initial potential.
80 Percent of Investments go into 3 States
I came across this article that I thought was relevant to our class generally. This article talks about how 80% of venture capital investments go into 3 states—California, New York, and Massachusetts—and places like the Mid-West are “locked out” of the economy. As many of you know, the Mid-West is also known as the “fly over states” and tend to be forgotten. The article talks about how VCs and lawmakers attempted to solve this issue by taking a “tour” of cities in the Mid-West—namely, meeting with local businesses, elected officials, and community leaders so that the VCs can learn about potential investments that they can make here.
Bid Protests
I found this interesting article about the top 5 bid protest topics from 2017 for anyone that might want to read a little more about them after our presentation last week.
Big Four taking on Big Law
http://www.canadianlawyermag.com/author/jennifer-brown/big-four-accounting-firms-well-positioned-to-move-in-on-big-law-15296/
I think this is an interesting article in what could be coming up in the legal profession. The big four accounting firms are looking to break into the legal market. Because they have much more of an “entrepreneurial mindset,” I think this could be a threat to the status quo of big law. I am interested to see how, if at all, big law responds.
Mexico tackles air pollution
Here’s a video that talks about Mexico’s innovative way to combat air pollution! It’s beautiful and useful.