I need an innovative idea

[alleyallen]

I've been doing some out-of-work writing and I'm trying to come up with a couple of ideas.

To wit: I'm looking for a couple of interesting concepts for reducing crime, cleaning up pollution, increasing income, etc., all at the city or municipal level. Just a couple. If it's one you've reported on, all the better.

I appreciate any help y'all may be able to provide.

P.S., if this belongs on the journalism board, let me know.

 

[PeteyPirate]

Check out the most recent season of The Wire for an idea for reducing crime.

Hamsterdam.

 

[alleyallen]

The Wire? Need a little help. I'm not familiar with it.

 

[PeteyPirate]

It's an HBO show about Baltimore cops. One of the police guys told all the drug dealers in his neighborhood that he would leave them alone if they all went to one location removed from residential areas to sling their stuff.

 

[alleyallen]

Good start. Thanks FDP.

 

[The Big Ragu]

Don't know why the first thing I thought of was "A Modest Proposal," by Jonathan Swift.

http://art-bin.com/art/omodest.html

 

[zeke12]

Wind farming. Polllution-free energy.

 

[Lugnuts]

This may not be an innovative idea, or an idea at all, as much as it is a rant... But here goes.

Regarding pollution.

What ever happened to the concept of the "multi-pronged approach"?  Our society seems only satisfied with easy, one-word solutions.  i.e. The solution is:  Bicycles!  (No, that won't work.)  The solution is:  Carpooling!  (Won't work.)  It's:  Ethanol!  (Too many problems.)  It's:  Hybrids!  (Too expensive.)  Hydrogen Cars!  (Drawbacks.)

Imagine if we put effort into combining all of these attack strategies.  That would make a dent in the problem.  But people are reluctant to try any one thing because that one thing is constantly being dismissed.

I read a big article on Ethanol in the NYT last Sunday.  Ethanol is a very cool proposed solution.  It has many problems, but it could be one big piece in the puzzle.

Our impatience and cynicism seem to be getting the best of us.

 

[alleyallen]

Good rant Lugs and good idea.

I came up with one concept on my own, although whether or not it would work, or even be legal, is not as big a concern. It's the idea that matters.

My concept would be centered in a large college town (i.e., Norman). Students arrested for crimes like underage drinking or MIP, public intox, trespassing, etc., could have the charge (and conviction) expunged immediately if they pay a fine and perform a certain level of public service (lifeguarding, park cleanup, waste management, etc.).

 

[Freelance Hack]

This may not be an innovative idea, or an idea at all, as much as it is a rant... But here goes.

Regarding pollution.

What ever happened to the concept of the "multi-pronged approach"?  Our society seems only satisfied with easy, one-word solutions.  i.e. The solution is:  Bicycles!  (No, that won't work.)  The solution is:  Carpooling!  (Won't work.)  It's:  Ethanol!  (Too many problems.)  It's:  Hybrids!  (Too expensive.)  Hydrogen Cars!  (Drawbacks.)

Imagine if we put effort into combining all of these attack strategies.  That would make a dent in the problem.  But people are reluctant to try any one thing because that one thing is constantly being dismissed.

I read a big article on Ethanol in the NYT last Sunday.  Ethanol is a very cool proposed solution.  It has many problems, but it could be one big piece in the puzzle.

Our impatience and cynicism seem to be getting the best of us.

Wasn't there a West Wing episode where all the alt-fuels people were in the same room bashing each other's proposals in an attempt to make their's look better?

 

[Lugnuts]

Wow - That writer really had a handle on reality! I don't think I saw that one.

 

[Chi City 81]

This may not be an innovative idea, or an idea at all, as much as it is a rant... But here goes.

Regarding pollution.

What ever happened to the concept of the "multi-pronged approach"?  Our society seems only satisfied with easy, one-word solutions.  i.e. The solution is:  Bicycles!  (No, that won't work.)  The solution is:  Carpooling!  (Won't work.)  It's:  Ethanol!  (Too many problems.)  It's:  Hybrids!  (Too expensive.)  Hydrogen Cars!  (Drawbacks.)

Imagine if we put effort into combining all of these attack strategies.  That would make a dent in the problem.  But people are reluctant to try any one thing because that one thing is constantly being dismissed.

I read a big article on Ethanol in the NYT last Sunday.  Ethanol is a very cool proposed solution.  It has many problems, but it could be one big piece in the puzzle.

Our impatience and cynicism seem to be getting the best of us.

Wasn't there a West Wing episode where all the alt-fuels people were in the same room bashing each other's proposals in an attempt to make their's look better?

Yes. Season 6, I believe.