How to Spend a Billion (Google) Dollars

Google.org, the search giant's philanthropic arm, iselectronic health implants, computerized tracking
managing a commitment of roughly $1 billion to worksystems, and mobile supply and distribution centers
on global issues such as poverty, energy and theoperating on an as needed basis.Further, it could try
environment over the next 20 years.While that's a lotto connect and empower communities all over the
of clams, how much will $1 billion really buy you inworld via virtual community centers that offer
global social change--particularly if spent over aself-organizing and social-collaboration tools, including
20-year time frame?It works out to about $50 millionreal-time feedback mechanisms from individual
a year, minus foundation administrative expenses.households on community needs and the
Assuming that Google indeed allocates $1 billion to theperformance of elected and community officials.In
foundation, and the foundation elects to spend it allother news:
down (foundations are only required to spend 5Viiv--the name isn't the only mystery
percent of their assets each year), that would leaveRepublicans defeat Net neutrality plan
roughly $47.5 million a year for direct donations.WhySocial networks going wireless
not leverage the power of Google's search engine toLinuxWorld not just for Linux fans anymore
solicit ideas from Google users directly? What willExtra: Google aims to track users with Wi-Fi
$47.5 million a year get you in today's dollars?Video: More juice than Blackberry?In addition,
According to economist Jeffrey Sachs, director ofGoogle.org could choose to innovate on the
the United Nations Millennium project, a contributionhomefront immediately. Right on the Google campus
of $110 a person a year can lift a dirt-poor village outthey could build an economically, environmentally, and
of poverty in five years. That means a $47.5 millionsocially sustainable global village inhabited by people of
annual investment could move half a million peopleall backgrounds, races, and belief systems (including
out of the world's 1 billion desperately poor eachGoogle employees) to represent a positive and
year. And if Sachs' five-year plan is correct, in 20achievable vision for the future.The company could
years a $1 billion allocation could potentially raise closetry to leverage in-house technologies and R&D to
to 2 million people out of poverty.Now that is ancreate a separate "technology for good" division
achievement any socially responsible billionaire wouldwithin the company that produces products and
be proud to own.But we have to remember thatservices specifically to address challenges in the social
Google has built its reputation on being the oddsector.Another idea: Issue all Google employees social
corporate duck, and the Google.org is likely to wantcredit cards that encourage each individual to lend or
to distinguish itself from the established do-gooderborrow "social credit" with others in their local and
billionaire club. Google.org is competing with the likesglobal neighborhoods in the form of volunteer time or
of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, currentlyexpertise. The 20 percent work time that Google
valued at $28.8 billion, which made well over $1 billionemployees currently are granted for individual
in global health and education grants last yearprojects could also be offered up as time to work on
alone.Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Pagesocially significant efforts specifically.Finally, why not
have stated publicly that, beyond devoting significantleverage the power of Google's search engine to
resources, they are also interested in "ambitiouslysolicit ideas from Google users directly? A simple
applying innovation" to the largest of the world'squestion like "How should Google spend a billion dollars
problems. So, let's talk innovative.How aboutto change the world for the better?" on Google's
leveraging the Google billion and joining with otherhome page would undoubtedly generate a lot of
billionaire philanthropists to do what worldgreat ideas. That's putting a billion minds to work for
governments have proven incapable of doing? Whyyou, and it wouldn't cost a dime.There are lots of
not establish a globally operated "just in time"good ways to spend a billion dollars. But if Google.org
detection and transport system that redirects surplusstays true to the vision of Sergey and Larry--who
food and supplies to everyone who needs them,suggest that Google the foundation could eventually
when they need them.Google could set up free,eclipse Google the company in overall impact--then
mobile medical monitoring and care units inmaybe making a difference in the world will itself
underserved communities worldwide, utilizingbecome the next big thing.