From projectredstripe.com
"We already have some ideas, of course. But as champions of free markets, we abhor the concept of a closed system. This is why we would like you to submit your idea by filling out the form at ProjectRedStripe.com. The deadline is March 25th, 2007."

Now read the first five words. They have ideas. All businesses must try to innovate around there product offerings. I for one am happy to see companies embracing the web and its users. Companies stop existing pretty fast without customers and The Economist seems to be reaching out and saying. "What can we do for you?" I'm glad they are not just going to push some in house fluff out on the world.

The six months subscription is obviously, for me, a legal thing that they had to throw in to stay legal. You can't have a contract between parties without payment. I guess this is why my house lease cost a peppercorn. They are a company and I am not sure whether they have even figured out what to do with the ideas. Perhaps they'll involve the idea originators in a serious way when the gathering and selection round is over.

I think that if they are going to be creative and help build and combine the ideas they receive they will need to be together. One thing the web hasn't gone anywhere near emulating is the personal touch. The ability to see the wince in someone's eye. An uneasy shift of the legs. They need to be together.