How about olympics for videogames?

Kids are spending more time playing video games than playing outdoor games. So, why not have Olympics for video games like GrandTheftAuto™, Halo™, WiiTennis and so on?

We could have boxing, running, jogging and treasure hunt all in one video-game. These Olympics can happen over Internet so that no one even needs to leave his or her home to play (or) watch Olympics. This new form of Olympics will be a level playing field for all countries because everyone can easily afford a game console and internet connection. Most third world countries hardly win any medals in "offline" Olympics because of lack sports infrastructure in those countries.

Testing on animals and saving pain for humans

Using Animals for medical research is a controversial issue. Some question the necessity and cruelty of using animals for medical research. Many websites (e.g. http://www.stopanimaltests.com/) ask people to raise their voices for condoning animal testing. Others say the testing on animals helped expedite invention of medicines and achieved this with least human suffering.

Almost every medicine that came into market in last two centuries was derived from some form of animal testing. The experiments on these animals helped humans find medicines for many diseases, thereby reducing pain for humans. There is absolutely no question that the research has benefited human civilization.

Would the people who are against animal-testing come forward and take pledge that they would not take these medicines? I bet no one would take that pledge. Hypocrites! If you are against using animals for laboratory testing, then you don't agree with the process that was used in discovery of current medicines. If you are a principled person, don't take any of the available medicines.

But, we are living in a civilized world. Being civilized, we should have compassion on animals, we have control over. Wherever possible, laboratories should try to minimize pain for the animals. However, no regulations (or) new rights for animals are needed in this context. We need the laboratories to continue their testing (some way or other) and find cures for diseases, for which we don't have cure yet. Our civilization will be better off in next generation.

Apple should sell futures for IPhone

A new version of Ipod came out every year for past five years. IPhone had a new version within one year. Apple does such a good job with every new version that existing versions look obsolete. Apple's fans always want the newest Apple gadget. They wait for hours outside Apple stores whenever new versions come out.

What if Apple sold an future-contract to exchange current IPhone for a new IPhone? Let's say for an additional $100, buyer of current IPhone can buy a coupon that lets him exchange it for any new model that will "possibly" come out in next 2 years. I would definitely be interested in such a coupon.

I foresee two problems with such a contract.

• What if Apple does not release any new version before the option expires? This should not be a big problem because cell phone market is very competitive and Apple should innovate continuously to be relevant.

• How can Apple profit by giving you a new IPhone for just $100? Since most money on the IPhone is made from the cut Apple gets from AT&T service plan, subscribers could be forced to sign a new service contract when they use the $100 coupon.
  

PS: Someone told me that MSFT sold such kind of a contract right after Windows XP was released. The contract promised free upgrade to new OSes which MSFT might come out with in next few years. However, there was no new release of desktop OS for many years. Buyers of such contracts might have felt cheated.