ideas42

ideas42 was established in June 2008 by Sendhil Mullainathan (Harvard University), Antoinette Schoar (MIT), Simeon Djankov (IFC), Eldar Shafir (Princeton), Jeffrey Kling (Brookings), and Michael Kremer (Harvard) as a Social Science Research and Development laboratory at Harvard University, with the goal of using scientific insights to design innovative policies and products, both domestically and internationally. The initial sponsors were Harvard University and IFC (World Bank Group).The origin of the name lies in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, a novel by Douglas Adams. There, Deep Thought - the most brilliant computer - is tasked with finding the meaning of life.  "Alright," said Deep Thought. "The Answer to the Great Question..."

"Yes...!"

"Of Life, the Universe and Everything..." said Deep Thought.

"Yes...!"

"Is." said Deep Thought, and paused.

"Yes...!"

"Is."

"Yes...!!!...?"

"Forty-two," said Deep Thought, with infinite majesty and calm.

"Forty two?! Is that all you've got to show for seven and a half million years' work?"

"I checked it very thoroughly," said the computer, "and that quite definitely is the answer. I think the problem, to be quite honest with you, is that you've never actually known what the question is."

 

ideas42 is grounded in the understanding that all good work is predicated on asking the right questions.