What’s the mantra of any startup?

Work hard. Have fun. Make an impact and change the world.

Work hard.

Have fun.

Change the world??? Come again?

The first two are really easy. It’s the “changing the world” that boggles the mind. Compared to other companies, we have it easy since it’s inherent in what we’re trying to do. Our team envisions a society where your reputation is completely ubiquitous…where you can ping someone’s Rapleaf score, while away from the computer, and consider if you should buy or sell to the individual. That’s just an example but that’s very plausible, no?

To answer my own question, it is possible of course, but the process of getting to that point personally frustrates me. I, the author, can’t speak for the entire team when I say this but, it really infuriates me when I hear about these new cases of people getting ripped off, scammed, etc.

Phony Katrina story scam

Auren blogged about a previous Katrina scam. This one occurred recently. Basically a women scammed a church, nonprofits, and others into giving her alot of money by making up a story about her children dying during Hurricane Katrina.

Check from a scammer bounces victim in Jail

This guy was the victim of a Nigerian 419 scam that occurred while trying to sell his bike through craigslist. The result? He was apprehended by the police while trying to cash the check at BofA. He was then thrown in jail, had to pay bail, all while going through hell (obviously trying to rhyme).

Arrrrgh!!! Seriously, who are these people that commit these acts? Just adds fuel to the fire for sure. It makes me think if only this victim knew about Rapleaf, maybe this wouldn’t have happened. Who knows.

Sorry I had to unleash the beast. And thanks for listening to me vent. Now I need to get back to changing the world with my team members (just gotta keep on trucking…).