25 Comments
author

67. Investigate Weighted Belts As An Appetite Suppressant

This isn't really a request for money. What they need are people to try out the concept. And personally, I have no interest in wearing armor around the house for personal pleasure.

Expand full comment
author

#93: Found A Non-Territorial Nation-State

I have been workshopping a word: cojco (卡只家) (id: kosekosa) for a type of rules-driven, mission-based organization. It would seem to roughly define this concept.

However, it is a terrible idea in its presented form. In particular, at "the mission must be to have a seat at the UN" I tuned out. Though that might be an indictment of the UN more than this proposal.

Expand full comment
author

#109: Writing That Explains And Normalizes Hybrid Remote/In-Person Schools

It's not clear if this is a "fellowship" grant (where the recipient will study) or a "practice" grant (where the recipient is operating an educational organization).

So long as the school curriculum includes learning the Korean Alphabet and basic ASL by the age of 11, I may be interested in a follow-up pitch.

Expand full comment
author

#102: Screen Addiction Detox Via Competitive Water Fight League

for the last time, it is not "screen addiction" that is the problem, it is "having friends with screen addiction". I'm not sure what a water fight will do for that.

Expand full comment
author

#99: Research Retraction Insurance To Ensure Retractions Get Publicized

The idea itself is so bad that it gets a full rejection, rather than a mere "this needs to be phrased in the form of a business" rejection. However, I will listen to this person's next idea.

Expand full comment
author

#96: Improve The Readability Of Scientific Writing

The proposal is confusing, and the project undesired. Strong pass. We propose a different project: *Elsevier delenda est*.

I want one state legislature to pass a bill forbidding state university employees from paying to publish journal articles, and forbidding exclusive-rights agreements in exchange for publication.

I'm interested in proposals on this topic.

Expand full comment
author

#94: A Clinic That Practices A New Model Of Community Medicine

Scott's readership still contains a substantial "SF Bay Area Local Politics" contingent. This falls in that category.

As for myself, I abandoned California years ago and would not dare touch the proposal.

Expand full comment
author

#124: Develop New Systems For Understanding Model And Human Genetics

I don't think Dr. Bryan Andrews is looking for money, I think he is looking for graduate students.

Expand full comment
author

(from the comments section) # 126: Restore the American Chestnut Tree

The only way to save the American Chestnut Tree is to clearcut an entire county (minimum 1000km^2) and put up walls so only non-migratory pre-Columbian species are present.

I heard a tall tale once of a man named Noah trying that. I think I will try something else.

Expand full comment
author

#88: Daniel Ingram’s Nonprofit For Studying Emergent (ie spiritual) Phenomena

This is a flawed pitch. It is written entirely in tautologies. Once again, while they will take your money, they may or may not do anything with it.

Expand full comment
author

#87: Gather Data On Successful Arguments

There is a saying: "ideas are worthless". And this is just an idea. It is a terrible pitch. Why should I want to get involved with you on this anyhow? Isn't this the same thing that somebody else did on ACX a few weeks ago? (*gets a vaudeville hook*)

Expand full comment
author

#81: Entheogenic Plant Program For Addictions

Unfortunately, I don't know what the word "entheogenic" means.

This also looks like an anti-alcoholism treatment camp. Which, maybe the government should fund, but I would not endorse personally.

Expand full comment
author

#80: A “Mnemonic Medium” To Replace Textbooks

They have an online textbook. Unfortunately, it is unreadable. Anything that is about "quantum" is likely fake, and if they explain "spaced repetition" before they get to the uncertainty principle it is surely crap.

Expand full comment
author

ACADEMIC GRANTS

There are too many pitches rejected under the {category|clause} of "you are conducting a research program that needs to be affiliated with a university." Here are several of them.

Expand full comment
author

BUSINESS VENTURES

There are too many pitches rejected under the category of "you are not looking for a grant, you are looking for an investment. if you will not learn the difference, you shall not receive either". Here are several of them.

Expand full comment
author

#68: Educational Software To Hit Developmental Windows In Babies

This isn't something that needs to be done with my money. I think it already exists. What about https://lookit.mit.edu/ ?

Expand full comment