The guys over at the X-Prize Foundation are at it again:

The people behind the X Prize that kick-started personal space travel are planning prizes in a variety of non-space fields, from automobile technology and genome research to nanotechnology and education.

Next X Prizes target genes and gas mileage - LiveScience - MSNBC.com


I think this is a good approach to solve tough problems.  It is capitalism at its best.  I wonder why this can't be applied to our border problems.  I know that the border problem is a complex one but I think most people agree that "good fences make good neighbors."  Obviously, the first step is to seal the border.  However, that is not that simple. 

A fence is fundamentally obtained by blocking or patroling.  You can either use people or things (i.e. technology) to achieve this.  We definitely do not need a "Great Wall of China" but there are alternatives.  But I think they are technology alternatives that have never been explored.  The government really can't do this...they get stuck with analysis paralysis and we'll have another SDI. 

The best bet is to create a Minuteman Prize...funded by a private organization. 

Just my thoughts...