Google ranks the web by popularity. Wouldn't it be great if we could rank the web by intelligence or other attributes? People's IQ is measured in tests, why not measure the content of websites similarly and then filter search results accordingly?

Google probably has the brains and resources to offer such service in the future. For example, if I do a keyword search for 'subprime market tips', I want to filter the display of my search results so that I get the websites with most intelligent content only and not those with the most popular content. I know it sounds nice but people might say it's not possible to do. Google succeeded as a search engine because it was smarter due to the accuracy of its searches. Why not add intelligence or other attributes in the display of its searches?

http://www.thinkaloo.com/ideas

Here is a very interesting article i read on the concept of fixed term marriages:

Marry with a fixed-term contract, not for 'til death do us part

Article from: The Courier-Mail
written by Helen Goltz
April 24, 2009

ACCORDING to the Australian Bureau of Statistics it appears that lifelong marriages are becoming a thing of the past. Few marry for life any more.

Thirty-two per cent of divorces involved separation within the first five years of marriage, and 22 per cent within five to nine years of marriage.

We have fixed term-contracts for the buying of property, cars and insurance, but there is only one contract available for marriage and it is for life. Is it time to consider introducing fixed-term marriage contracts?

The fixed-term contract is not meant to be a "quick fix" or an "easy out".

It would allow for the celebration of the renewal of vows after a five-year or 10-year term and encourage partners to work towards maintaining a good relationship in effect, it opens communication akin to a marriage performance review.

Or it would allow for the marriage to be dissolved by completing an acceptable contract term, without the shame and stigma associated with the failure of a marriage.

So why bother getting married at all? Because inherently we want to believe that we are making a commitment for life. Surely no one enters a marriage with a view to "give it a shot".

We stand in front of friends, family, even God and promise "until death do us part" and, at the time, we believe it. This only adds to the sense of failure when we can't deliver this promise.

It's a simple process: the standard certificate of marriage becomes a five-year contract. The marriage celebrant would continue to retain a copy for their records; forward the certificate to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages for the registration of the marriage; and provide the marrying couple with a copy.

The marriage licence would clearly state the start and dissolution date for the five-year term.

The marriage contract dissolves if the parties do not "apply again". This eliminates the stress of dissolving the marriage by having to reopen wounds one year later, file papers together and be issued divorce papers.

The celebration is in the renewing, what better excuse for a party and family gathering?

The marrying couple are responsible for monitoring the date of renewal, signing the renewal form, having it witnessed by a Justice of the Peace and returning the form to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Perhaps when a couple completes a 10-year marriage term (two five-year consecutive contracts), they could opt to undertake an "eternity" contract.

And what about the children? Divorces are happening irrespective of the family unit. The proportion of divorces involving children was 49.3 per cent in 2007 (ABS). Is a fixed-term marriage contract likely to increase this statistic? Are parents more likely to stay together for the children if they have a traditional marriage licence?

According to Families in Australia: 2008 (released by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet), marriage bears a less direct relationship to having children.

By 2026, couples without children are projected by the ABS to be the most common type of family in Australia (44 per cent of all families).

We are a society that has adapted to change: divorce, work contracts, the internet, SMS text, email, digital television, water restrictions and much more.

Eventually a generation may only know of one type of marriage contract: fixed-term.

Have your say: What's the ideal term for a marriage contract?

http://www.thinkaloo.com

How about a same-day divorce service for marriages that are not contracted on a fixed-term basis? The application could be made online and the divorce issued instantly even if both parties do not consent to it. Whatever disputes the couple might have (money, children custody etc) they can be resolved in the court and take as much time is usually needed but from the day the divorce is issued the couple is no longer considered married under the law.

http://www.thinkaloo.com

If Susanne Klatten is worth $13.2 billion, shouldn't Sgarbi have asked for at least $1 billion? That's about 10% when the tip at a restaurant in the US is normally between 15-20%. With the global economic crisis in full swing, I'd say $2-$3 billion would have been the right amount. The $60 million seemed suspiciously low and probably that's why the short-cut heiress reported him to the police. Something wasn't making sense. $60 million? Come on people get serious, this is a Real economic crisis to be blackmailing at the low end!! What kind of example do we set for our children, the Somali pirates and others here? Seriously now don't You think...

http://www.thinkaloo.com

Having grown up in the Swiss slums a married man will do anything to escape the harshness of his life. Married with three children he leaves his family to work as special representative in crisis zones in India. When all the poverty and dirt of Mumbai won't be enough to bring him redemption, Sgarbi will seek love. Pure, romantic, untainted love. His fortunes change when he meets Susanne Klatten, a generous $13.2 billion sexless blonde who falls victim to Sgarbi's most innocent instincts and his new passion for photography. Be sure to see this $60 million epic film production directed by life itself. Critics say it'll definitely change your views on the cost of love, romance and amateur photography. Coming soon to a theater near You! :)

PS: All proceeds go to the BMW Special Trust Fund for the Redevelopment of Swiss slums. Let no kid go through what Sgarbi had to go through...

http://www.thinkaloo.com