Project 10¹⁰⁰

Why this project?

Never in history have so many people had so much information, so many tools at their disposal, so many ways of making good ideas come to life. Yet at the same time, so many people, of all walks of life, could use so much help, in both little ways and big.

In the midst of this, new studies are reinforcing the simple wisdom that beyond a certain very basic level of material wealth, the only thing that increases individual happiness over time is helping other people.

In other words, helping helps everybody, helper and helped alike.

The question is: what would help? And help most?

At Google, we don't believe we have the answers, but we do believe the answers are out there. Maybe in a lab, or a company, or a university -- but maybe not.

Maybe the answer that helps somebody is in your head, in something you've observed, some notion that you've been fiddling with, some small connection you've noticed, some old thing you have seen with new eyes.

The deadline for submitting ideas has passed; now it's time to find the best ones. On January 27th, 2009, we'll be asking the public to vote on some of the top suggestions. Our advisory board will be reviewing your chosen finalists to find up to five ideas that we'll make real. So help us change the world by signing up for your voting reminder.

And may those who help the most win.