The "itch" problem is a problem where direct solutions are ineffective. (The more you scratch it, the worse it gets.)
A side-effect solution is a solution that is meant to solve another problem but happens to solve yours too as a side effect.
How do I identify this kind of problems and find side-effect solutions for them?
2. Survey on you Online dating stats: Active users? Dates? Marriages? Think it's lame? Think users are desperate? Hesitant to tell others? Tell strangers you're single and looking? You are a bad data sample.
3. The problem with dating sites is... ...they are called dating sites.
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5. The point There's a special type of problems, where the direct solutions are not the most effective solutions. "The itch problem"
8. Networking Old solution: "Networking" events Fail: Douche bags New solution: Events with other purposes People will network.
9. Dating Old solution: Bars, single events, dating sites Fail: Douche bags, not "sexy", "magical" New solution: Concerts, classes, bookstores People will flirt.
10. Advertising Old solution: Commercials in your face Fail: Intrusive, not relevant, desensiting New solution: Search, blog affiliated ads People will buy.
11. Welfare Old solution: Money Fail: Dependency New solution: Education, transit, internet People will earn.
12. Hiring Old solution: Job ads Fail: Unskilled applicants New solution: Contests (Netflix) People will work.
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14. How do I find side-effect solutions? There's no magical formula.
19. Strategies Step 1: Recognize the itch Step 2: Brainstorm for solutions Step 3: Apply, rinse and repeat
20. Game with a purpose (gwap.com) Side-effect solutions in real action. Founded by: Luis von Ahn (CMU) Google talk: search for "human computation" JT is not affiliated with this project.
21. That's all. JT Web developer / Entrepreneur simplyjt.com (slides, email) Questions? Or brainstorm?
