This is an idea I came up with while talking with my friend, Ethan, who was brainstorming for Internet startup as well.
The concept is very simple. I ask myself this question: There are lots of so-called web2.0 service at this moment, but which one actually serves the “basic need” of human beings, if any? So, at last I come up with an answer – people always want to be cared, be noticed, or be complimented with. That’s right, why not use the Internet as a bridge to link “remote cares” from strangers?
My approach is based on a simple website. First, users input their email addresses. (without login or signing up for accounts) Next, write down a “bless” or other positive, encouraging words such as “cheer up, I believe you can make it!” and submit this sentence to the server. Upon receiving the submission, the server will randomly send those good-words to a certain email (which is left by another user.) The result is, everyone who contributes a positive saying can get one in return, and it’s from a stranger, which means sometines you may get a touching story, other times a few cliches. Who knows? Is’ always a surprising!
To sum up, only 3 steps required to complete the process:
1. send in your email.
2. offer cares (or your own struggling stories, if you will) for others.
3. receive others’ good-words in return.
Beside, this service can extend to cellphones. Words can be sent/reveived through SMS at anytime, anywhere. Thus, users can decide a specific time they want to receive these words. (eg: when in low mood)
How do you think about this idea?
Interestingly, while I was contemplating this idea, it brough up another opposite one: “why not harnessing collective hatred?” (as concept of Tim O’Reilly’s “harnessing collective intelligence”) which completes another half of this “no-love-no-hate” project.
I will reveal this one next time. 
