We think 'sexy' is a weird characterization. Sexy is usually what happens at the end, when the final result is shared or published to the public. How sexy a project is usually has nothing to do with the scientific impact of the research - e.g. the bat fellatio project.
Instead, we want to make people realize that the research process itself is sexy. And that in itself is a social experience.
What I mean is that when I look at your site, I find the same thing I mostly find on other crowdfunding sites: projects that are easy to explain and to which it is easy to draw popular attention.
The vast majority of scientific research simply doesn't fit in that model. Newton's work leading up to the Principia Mathematica simply did not have a cool-sounding elevator pitch. Neither did Einstein's early investigations into the photoelectric effect that led to relativity.
My problem with crowdfunding research is the exact same problem that increasingly occurs with ultra-scarce research grants: research effort is diverted into advertising and into projects that are easy to advertise to broad audiences, at the cost of deep research.
So then we have to ask ourselves, for a value of "sexy" being "easy to advertise and explain", do we want research to be sexy? If not, why should we require it to be sexy?
We've discussed this many, many times, and I think for us starting off it's just a really careful balance. You can definitely make technical depth 'sexy' in the same way vein of what makes Wikipedia sexy (depth, thoroughness), but it comes down to process and not so much delivery.
At least that's what we decided. If you make your elevator pitch about how you are guaranteeing a cure for cancer, maybe you're sacrificing value. But if you make the pitch about the process and steps, while validating basic things like fraud, ability, capacity, then maybe you're onto something.
Best of luck Denny, et al. This looks great! I'm glad you guys have research experience since that's integral for understanding this space.
I hope you motivate a lot of new interest and exchange of knowledge. Also, try to get some disease-related projects in the future; I think people will go crazy over those.
I know it's irrational, but I want something in return for donating. For example, I'd give $20 or so to the hot chili project if he'd send me $2 worth of "something really hot" to me. Somehow getting something in return makes me feel more connected to the project.
Yeah! All I'm really looking for is for the person to acknowledge my donation.
BTW, I did just donate a small amount to the chili project. One more piece of feedback. My real name shows up on the donation page. Not a big deal, but I'd prefer if my user name appeared there instead. I'd like to remain semi-anonymous.
I'm not asking for anonymous giving. I'm asking that my user name appears on the backers page instead of my full name.
It doesn't bother me that the project (or the site) knows my real name. However, I feel better if future employers of mine don't know about my love of hot chilis :-)
You know, if you want to do some sort of regular feedback thing, we'll always be willing to listen to you! Let us know on the feedback page if you ever come up with other ideas. We really really appreciate it.
Congrats Denny! It's clear that you and your team have put in mountains of work with some amazing attention to detail. How much of the development did you end up contributing?
We just launched the full website this morning. Would love any feedback and impressions!
Incredibly beautiful. The first column seems to have a little text overlap into the bottom "Learn More" in Chrome 18.0.1025.151 on Lion.
I feel like the about us section could use a little bit of touch up. It seemed a little redundant.
Congrats on the launch!
Thanks! It really means a lot to hear that.
I'll take a look at the overlap soon, and fair point about the about us section. We'll work on revising it.
How is this going to work for the vast non-sexy majority of research?
We think 'sexy' is a weird characterization. Sexy is usually what happens at the end, when the final result is shared or published to the public. How sexy a project is usually has nothing to do with the scientific impact of the research - e.g. the bat fellatio project.
Instead, we want to make people realize that the research process itself is sexy. And that in itself is a social experience.
What I mean is that when I look at your site, I find the same thing I mostly find on other crowdfunding sites: projects that are easy to explain and to which it is easy to draw popular attention.
The vast majority of scientific research simply doesn't fit in that model. Newton's work leading up to the Principia Mathematica simply did not have a cool-sounding elevator pitch. Neither did Einstein's early investigations into the photoelectric effect that led to relativity.
My problem with crowdfunding research is the exact same problem that increasingly occurs with ultra-scarce research grants: research effort is diverted into advertising and into projects that are easy to advertise to broad audiences, at the cost of deep research.
So then we have to ask ourselves, for a value of "sexy" being "easy to advertise and explain", do we want research to be sexy? If not, why should we require it to be sexy?
We've discussed this many, many times, and I think for us starting off it's just a really careful balance. You can definitely make technical depth 'sexy' in the same way vein of what makes Wikipedia sexy (depth, thoroughness), but it comes down to process and not so much delivery.
At least that's what we decided. If you make your elevator pitch about how you are guaranteeing a cure for cancer, maybe you're sacrificing value. But if you make the pitch about the process and steps, while validating basic things like fraud, ability, capacity, then maybe you're onto something.
All right then. I might try it out.
What language? How did you design?
We have the two best designers in the whole world who did all the illustration and UI. It's mainly a mix of rails and coffee.
Beautiful design. Clean. To the point. Love the fossil at the end. Congrats!
Thanks!
Best of luck Denny, et al. This looks great! I'm glad you guys have research experience since that's integral for understanding this space.
I hope you motivate a lot of new interest and exchange of knowledge. Also, try to get some disease-related projects in the future; I think people will go crazy over those.
Thanks a lot, we really appreciate it! We've got tons of stuff in store and can't wait to see what happens.
Seriously though, if chance ever brings you Seattle give me a shout!
Way to go! I know these guys personally and they are definitely passionate about Microryza's mission in the world. Keep up the hustle!
Cheers! Thanks Rishi!
I know it's irrational, but I want something in return for donating. For example, I'd give $20 or so to the hot chili project if he'd send me $2 worth of "something really hot" to me. Somehow getting something in return makes me feel more connected to the project.
Love the idea. Hope it catches on.
What about a great chili con carne recipe?
Yeah! All I'm really looking for is for the person to acknowledge my donation.
BTW, I did just donate a small amount to the chili project. One more piece of feedback. My real name shows up on the donation page. Not a big deal, but I'd prefer if my user name appeared there instead. I'd like to remain semi-anonymous.
Yup, we're working on anonymous giving, definitely will have that up very soon!
Just hold tight, hopefully you'll enjoy having donated to the project. :)
I'm not asking for anonymous giving. I'm asking that my user name appears on the backers page instead of my full name.
It doesn't bother me that the project (or the site) knows my real name. However, I feel better if future employers of mine don't know about my love of hot chilis :-)
Got it ;)
You know, if you want to do some sort of regular feedback thing, we'll always be willing to listen to you! Let us know on the feedback page if you ever come up with other ideas. We really really appreciate it.
Congrats Denny! It's clear that you and your team have put in mountains of work with some amazing attention to detail. How much of the development did you end up contributing?
Hey! Been missing the rails meetups because we've been working hard for launch for the past few weeks. Hope all is well with your venture!