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Your chance to win a share of a $10 million prize is one in a googol


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POSTED: Sunday, September 28, 2008

How would you like to win a share of a $10 million prize pool? No, this isn't one of those Nigerian Internet scams in which the wife of an executed dictator asks for your help in recovering millions he stashed before he was overthrown. (According to the amount of spam I get, there must be 1,425 executed dictators in the world who stashed millions.)

I'm talking about a for-real opportunity and Honolulu Lite will help you grab your share of the loot.

The $10 million is being put up by the Internet company Google as part of “;Project 10 to the 100th.”; Ten to the 100th is a pretty big number: a one followed by 100 zeros, which in the math world is called googol. In the world of the American economy, a one followed by 100 zeros is how many dollars the next national financial bailout will cost us taxpayers.

Anyway, Google (aka Googol) is seeking “;ideas that can change the world by helping as many people as possible.”; Google will pick the best 100 entries and then online voters will pick the Top 20. Then judges will decide the Top 5 who will split the $10 million pot. The deadline is Oct. 20 and you can enter online at project10tothe100.com.

  You know there will be a lot of entries, probably a vigintillion (a one with 63 zeros). But we're going to increase your odds by giving you some ideas that would change the world right here that you can submit.

» Motion Sensor Kitchen Laser Cockroach Zapper: Unit will detect any cockroach that comes out at night and zap it with a laser beam. Fun and functional and will improve world health!

» Hippo Beer Roller: Don't lug beer home in heavy cases. The Hippo Beer Roller is like a wheelbarrow with a large, hollow wheel that is filled with beer. You simply push it home. (Based on the Hippo Roller water mover used in some Third World countries.)

» Motion Sensor Outdoor Laser Cat Zapper: Like the roach zapper but not fatal. Rid your back yard or village of pesky cats. Works with chickens, small dogs, rabbits and gerbils, too.

» Anti-gravity Underwear: Just enough lift to help you float through the day, whether digging yams with a stick in a Third World field or crunching big numbers (i.e. quintillion, sextillion ) on Wall Street.

» Happy Thoughts Propeller Beanie: Put on the beanie, spin the propeller and nothing but happy thoughts enter your head. Hours of fun and exercise.

» Happy Thoughts Solar-Powered Beanie: Same as above only less exhausting and more eco-friendly.

» Dirt-to-Water Atomic Converter: Handy piano-sized nuclear apparatus converts any dirt to pure, drinkable water. A must for any drought-stricken area. Each unit costs only $19.95. (Actual technical and financial details yet to be worked out.)

Now get out there and help change the world!