"Fun Theory" contest makes people more socially responsible

[kevinbgoode]

I actually saw the first link to this yesterday from a friend on Facebook - in a contest sponsored by Volkswagen in Europe, people had to design something that would encourage better behavior among people in public yet make the task seem more fun. It appears the winner of the contest designed (in cooperation with the Swedish government) a Speed Lottery scheme. . .in this experiment, drivers were encouraged to go at or below the speed limit using the standard camera - in addition to this brightly lit sign which registered that they were entered into the "lottery." Speeders were issued the standard tickets; however, those who DIDN'T speed were entered into a lottery to win part of the proceeds FROM those ticket revenues. Pretty clever? haha. . .

Another one noticed that when there is a staircase next to an escalator, people usually took the escalator. One innovator decided to see if making taking the stairs more fun would encourage a change, remodeled the staircase, turning the steps into piano keys with sound. Suddenly there was a significant increase in people interested in climbing the stairs!

Well now - isn't this the kind of innovation we need in America? See for yourself. . .the trash bin entry is cute as well:

http://www.thefuntheory.com/

Haha. . .now this could be featured on next year's state of the union. . .:)

[lumberjack_jeff]

1. I like the bottomless trash can.

[mimitabby]

7. too bad where we live they are removing trash cans

because the city/county can't afford to pay the guys that used to collect the trash. :-(

[OneGrassRoot]

2. I saw that on FB as well. I agree...

we desperately need more creativity and innovation in this country, with social and eco-responsibility fueling the innovations. We need to support visionaries thinking WAY outside the box.

:hi:

[enlightenment]

5. It's rather sad that the winner is from the US -

but the idea was implemented in Sweden.

Kudos to VW for a brilliant concept.

[OneGrassRoot]

9. True. :(

There are some big (even multinational) corporations doing good things. If we can encourage that to be the rule rather than the exception, we may start seeing things turn around. The leaders of these corporations are human, after all, and maybe some of them can see that it's in their own children's best interests to have a healthier, more whole society, rather than a society and world in decay.

I know greed, exploitation and detachment are pervasive, but it's not absolute, imho. I want to find more companies doing good things -- genuine "good works," not just greenwashing or a PR stunt -- for a Robin Hood type of idea I've had in mind for a while.

Very few are going to be perfect models for most of us here, but if they're headed in the right direction, that's a start.

:hi:



edit for typo

[alphafemale]

3. I always take the stairs instead of the escalator if people are standing on it so you can't walk by

The stairs are much faster and better than having somebody's tush at eye-level for a minute and a half.

[Voice for Peace]

4. Brilliant.

[GiveMeFreedom]

6. Unfortunately

The speed lottery would not work in most communities in the US. Local governments need the cash and handing cash to good drivers would cut into the ticket tax that generate from "fast driving awards".

[intheflow]

8. Re: the piano stairs:

They've had those at the Boston Museum of Science for at least two decades. Oh how the wheels of health and progress move slowly!

[TlalocW]

10. At one time in the 90s

Police in Wichita, KS, would pull over good drivers and give them tickets to local sporting events. I'm sure that last all of one month as revenue from pulling over offenders declined.

TlalocW