InnovationCreation

Got your attention didn't I? Yes, I have about 800+ mouse balls. Not real mice balls but those balls in computer mice that roll and tell the computer where to point the cursor. I just have the balls, not the whole mouse.

Huh? Why do I have them? I started collecting them in 2005 as part of an experiment on tapping the wisdom of the crowds (see James Surowiecki book ref). I worked in an innovation disruption group at large company and wanted to demonstrate some of what Surowiecki talked about.

Over the course of 12 months I accumulated from the corporate salvage area these computer mice balls, 20 or so at a time. I used them in much the same way James Surowiecki did with jelly beans except with, uh, mice balls. The balls worked, I got the point across, and the experiment helped refine the discussion on tapping the crowds (for more info on this group see crowd sourcing interview).

So here I am with all these balls... And I need to give them a new life. This new life focus is being driven by the fact that I now have two sons needing space for their things. Priorities ... :)

I am looking for ideas. What should I do with them? What worthy cause would benefit from these mouse balls?

Labels: balls, ideas, innovation