collectedthinkery

I have long since been fascinated by the use of incentive prizes to achieve far reaching goals. Netflix and the algorithm challenge is the classic example, although there are plenty of others, as you can see in the chart above.

Real lessons for businesses trying to crack significant problems.

And now we have the Wolfson prize, awarded to anyone that can propose a method for the successful removal of a troublesome state from the EMU.

theweekmagazine:

The Occupiers of Wall Street have been portrayed as everything from hippies to “hot chicks,” from everyday people with friendly dogs to violent anarchists. Now, two surveys offer some actual data about the demonstrators and their sympathizers. Here, a look at the movement’s demographics:

15 
Percent of the demonstrators who are unemployed

53
Percent of demonstrators who say they have previously participated in a political movement, according to Schoen’s survey

98
Percent who say they would support civil disobedience to achieve their aims

31 
Percent who say they would support violence

8
Percent who say they are unsure of what they would like to see the movement accomplish

More numbers here

Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images