Insights · April 24th, 2013
I’m amazed to see the impressive things being funded on Kickstarter lately. Veronica Mars fans everywhere broke Kickstarter records by garnering support from 91,585 backers to revive the cancelled-too-early-TV-show for a Veronica Mars Movie. With over 63,000 backers, OUYA raised over $8.5M to create a TV game console, powered by Android and open for all app developer contributions. The system is inexpensive, crowdfunded and open-sourced, which to me confirms the exciting declaration on OUYA’s Kickstarter page: “The possibilities are limitless.â€
The idea of crowdsourcing as an endless source of possibility swept over me again when I found this Kickstarter for microprocessors the size and cost of a pack of gum. This exciting project was funded by 709 eager backers for more than $23,000 over the initial goal. A campaign for microprocessors doesn’t seem too exciting until you dig into the details:
- This ultra-low cost development platform for micro-robotics can be easily assembled with through-hole components and a soldering iron
- The purpose of this Kickstarter is to make a platform for future projects in the Robotics club, which will be documented and made open source for everyone to share
What if everyone had easy and inexpensive access to making their own microprocessors? What will we be able to achieve in minutes, without even leaving the house? What if we get to vote for the media we want to consume and fund the startups we want to see created? In this era of crowdfunding and crowdsourcing, we’re customizing more and more of our lives and it’s getting easier and easier to do. I’m excited to see projects like these succeed because they remind me that it’s not only possible for us to create our own customized futures for ourselves, but it’s seems likely that one day it will be probable.
