h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Many people, including some of the most die-hard stalwarts of h2g2, have become disaffected with it. They've become disaffected most with the PR process, not because of the process itself but because of the material going through it.

I had an idea for a collaborative entry that could help make the place a little more interesting. It's a project called '100 Great Inventions'. We've all had times when we've thought 'I wish I'd thought of that!' I suggest that everyone who is interested pens a piece on something that they thought was a great idea. Not only will it describe the idea and how it came to fruition, but it will allow the author to put something of themselves into the article, arguing for why *the rest of us* should care about these ideas.

I've written some entries myself that could help get the ball rolling:
A3320939, A2116766, A762662 . They don't have to be *physical* inventions either: how about women's suffrage, or the NHS?

Any takers?

Hi Felonius Monk

Skankyrich has started a project of reviving PR recently. I think you will find takers in the sign up thread. A28763472

Wishing you a nice Sunday.

tartaronne

It's a laudable initiative, but I'm not so much concerned with writing entries for the sake of writing them. I think if h2g2 is to recover it needs not more of the same but some fresh thinking. It needs to allow people to personalise their writing to some degree. This is why I deplore the kind of writing I find at http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/F66763?thread=4419389

>>but I'm not so much concerned with writing entries for the sake of writing them<<

Oh, I agree.

I've often wondered 'who' reads the entries - besides some researchers here. Who are in the target group? And are the people in the target group able to find the edited entries in The Guide?

Maybe I know too little of what the idea behind h2g2 is. I initially came here through a friend's recommendation - to talk to interesting people, learn something new and contribute with my knowledge and opinions.

As I'm a journalist I write articles every day, and everything I write becomes journalism - even love letter. In almost five years I haven't written a single entry. Maybe because I see it as more work - maybe because any entry of mine will become too long for The Guide.

But some day, when I'm not running to catch my deadlines, I'll look into what the 'idea' of this place is - if there is a single one.

Back to work.

Perhaps I may contribute again, but I've lost some energy concerning the site.

I like the inventions idea though

As to who reads it, I was recently contacted by a group of University students about my William Stead A12461546 entry.

That's cool..or?

I don't know that there is a target group as such. The Guide was to create the Earth edition of hhgttg. Not sure there was any thought as to who would read it, I assume because it was intended as a 'dip in when you need something' resource.

Douglas Adams wanted it to be more of a review site it seems: A550955

Yes. "Need" is not what would drive me to dip in here.

Hi FM

Great idea. My nearest thing to a previous contribution is a bit dire:
A558380
so I'd like to offer another one. Do we have to nominate the subjects?
Anyhow, I'd like to write an Entry about Stainless Steel.

Ooops. Wrong Entry - that one was actually good and not mine.
I meant this one: A6026933
Sorry

I think nimination might a courtesy, just in case two people end up posting to PR on the same subject.

Stainless Steel sounds like a great idea. Think of all the things that would not be possible without it: cheap cutlery, surgical ironmongery, the De Lorean....

Here's a couple more ideas:

Cooking
Anaesthetics
Antibiotics