2002-06-22»
the rational street performer protocolยปThe folk who brought you the The Circle (a P2P network with some intriguing properties) have just finished their first round of funding. To get the cash, they used one of their other innovations – a tweak of Bruce Schneier’s Street Performer Protocol that, they say, gives better incentives to freeloaders to become contributors. They call it The Rational Street Performer Protocol.
One useful aspect about the RSSP is that even if you understood none of the above, you can still use it. Basically, the RSSP says that if you are providing a regular service (like a Web comic, or software maintenance) you should get people to pledge you money in the form:
I will donate one dollar in every $____ raised over $____ up to a maximum contribution of $____
I still don’t quite understand the logic here (which never bodes too well for economic ideas that rely on “rational” consumption), but at least it’s easy implementable. Also, it somehow reminds me of sponsored swims at school.