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FAVE EXPERIMENT: The Listserve hopes to let each of us reach one million people via email lottery

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What if you had the chance to speak to one million people? What would you say? The Listserve is a daily email lottery that hopes to give each of us a chance to share our voice.

The Listserve is a new social experiment launched out of NYU’s ITP masters program led by Clay Shirky. While it’s not yet live, it will launch once they’ve reached 10,000 subscribers and they’re almost halfway there. Once launched, each day,  one person is randomly selected to write one e-mail that is sent out to the growing list. That’s the only e-mail allowed to be sent to The Listserve. One email a day from someone with something to say. Brilliant.

This especially caught my attention after reading a recent New Yorker piece about why so many Americans are lonely and/or live alone. The Listserve could offer a unique way to reach out, make new connections or just “feel” validated.

What happens if your email is selected? You will receive notification from The Listserve team and you’ll have three days to respond with your submission. No pressure.

I love the experiment. It will only be as good as those who submit, those who read and those who decide take action (or not). Are you going to sign up? Let us know in the comments.

(h/t Betabeat)

Fave Startups

FAVE STARTUP: Brinkmat uses tech to get laundry delivered (if you live in NYC)

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Avoiding laundry day? If you live in New York you have a few less excuses. Brinkmat lets you find laundromats that offer pickup and delivery in a location convenient to you, schedule your laundry and pay online. Hey now!

It’s not that I’m lazy, there are just certain chores I detest more than others. Maybe if we didn’t live in a 100-year-old home complete with super scary basement and laundry area, I’d enjoy it more. One thing is for sure, if I lived in New York, this is a service I’d use. I mean someone picks up my stinky laundry and delivers it back all clean and fresh? Love.

According to Brinkmat, “when you place an order, the cleaners are contacted directly to pick up your laundry. When it’s ready, they’ll deliver it back to you.” Honestly, what else can I say? It’s that simple.

What if your FAVE cleaners aren’t on the list? Make an intro between Brinkmat and the cleaner and if they end up on the site, Brinkmat gives you $100 in credit. All you have to do is give them a contact name, number.

The brainchild of two former Goldman Sachs engineers they’re trying to corner the market on laundry and tech. I, for one, wish them best of luck. (h/t Betabeat)