Open Brainstorms

How to utilize the power of public libraries

How to promote local foods / farmers' markets?

Spread understanding about recycling programs to promote better practices.

How to clean up lakes and streams?

How to promote better water usage practices?

How to reduce skepticism about and promote useage of power utility renewable energy programs (like MGE's).

How can public transportation be integrated more effectively in a country as large as the United States?

How to reduce energy consumption in the typical dorm room / bedroom / kitchen, etc.

How to get involved in your community

If you want to find listed problems then the Global Ideas Bank is a good resource. Every idea published on the bank highlights the problem addressed by the idea. http://globalideasbank.org/site/bank/

We've selected the plastic grocery bag question for a live community service brainstorm. Anyone is encouraged to join us at http://www.brainreactions.net/brainstorms/1815 at 21:00 GMT on Wednesday, 10/10 (4pm CST).

Here's a way to find good questions: contact different charities and ask their reps what issues/problems they are faced with.

How can we harvest the good ideas of "ordinary" people? -- most people you speak to seem to have a few great ideas but don't know how/where to publicise them.

What subjects could be taught at schools that are not covered now?

How can we cure world hunger?

Interactive Communication Facilities to all Humans

Education to All Children

How can we inspire couch potatoes and people wasting time gossipping from being time wasters to society contributors ?

How can we easily replicate good social initiatives happening in one region of the world to wherever else needed in the world ?

How can leftover plastic grocery bags be utilized in a sustainable, low-cost manner for a greater cause?

And how to apply this GLOBALLY, not just in countries in distress. When you look at the food production of Africa vs. its population (and population growth) you see a pretty silly situation - but if you can't make the population aware of this in a real, immediate and tangible way, the problem can't be solved. Sending aid makes the problem worse, not better. - Sorry if I've offended anyone.

I think a better idea might be to first have a brainstorm on what are the truly pressing issues that need to be addressed. For example; "foreign aid" has done more to DESTABILIZE Africa than to stabilize it - it might be worthwhile to look at the bigger picture first, prior to solving apparent problems in the current worldview. For example; how about investigating options for sustainable community based independence, where we figure out how to make a village require no basic imports to survive.

How can we ensure fair elections based on representative districts that are truly competitive?

What is the best way to ensure universal helath care without excessive taxation and rationing of health care?

How can the illegal immigration crisis be solved: fairly to applicants who follow the law, meeting the needs of employers, undocumented aliens who have a stake here, including those whose chilren are US citizens by virtue of birth?

What are random acts of kindness that can make a person's day great (Ripples project... goes out to their 15,000+ people in their newsletter)

WHO

What are ideas around low cost mass transportation in developing countries?

How can non profit organizations/NGOs submit their questions and challenges to BrainReactions.net brainstormers?

How can normal people support micro lending?

How can more mentoring relationships be established?

What are ideas to improve water quality?

Save the Children

UNICEF

How can anonymous comments on YouTube and other Web 2.0 applications become less nasty?

How can awareness be generated around poverty?

How can K-12 education be improved?

What are actions people can take to reduce the impact of global warming?