Engineering Web Series?

[EEVblog]

Some very serious money is on offer from Google for the creation of new web series:
https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/news_and_events/2015/mr_150513_skipahead.aspx
http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/funding/tvdrama/special_initiative_SkipAhead.aspx

My channel is more than big enough to qualify to enter.
With that sort of money I could hire a production crew or something.

If I was to enter such a thing and produce a web series, what would you like me to do?

I had two ideas off the bat:
1) Go behind the scenes at various Australian hardware tech startups
2) Tour various companies and universities etc doing creative new research and/or leading edge engineering.

[tautech]

Sounds like its just up your alley Dave. 

Good ideas, we want to encourage the young, help them dream and demonstrate the career path and the rewards of innovative ideas.

[Mr.B]

1) Go behind the scenes at various Australian hardware tech startups

+1

[Fsck]

2) Tour various companies and universities etc doing creative new research and/or leading edge engineering.

looks like fun to me. not sure how long you could keep it up though.

[EEVblog]

There are several catches:

The project that is the subject of the application must:
comprise narrative content intended for upload to YouTube (performance-driven narrative video blogging would be eligible, for example, whereas genres such as ‘How to...’ and lifestyle are not considered narrative-based and would not be eligible).
not be advertorial or intended primarily as advertising or marketing material.

As part of your application, you must submit the additional materials specified on the application form checklist:
a  two-page pitch document that describes your proposal, details the audience development and social media strategies to promote the series to a wider audience than the creator’s existing subscribers, and a plan for how the creator might continue to grow the channel following the release of the Skip Ahead episodes

Funding decisions will be made against the following criteria:

the creative strength and distinctiveness of the proposal, including the concept and entertainment value (30%)
the potential of the project to expand the subscriber base of the applicant’s channel(s) and/or reach new audiences and opportunities for commercialisation (20%)
the viability of the proposal with respect to the budget and scale of the project (20%)
the track record of the key participants involved in the proposal and the likelihood that this program will demonstrably develop their skills in made- for-web content production (30%).

[EEVblog]

looks like fun to me. not sure how long you could keep it up though.

The winners last year only did like 5 or so videos for the web series, it doesn't have to be many.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUwbBsL4IR77xphqBgTGcfkaJrzNeMjRn

[EEVblog]

Another idea would be to pick a technology, say renewable energy, and go explore what's being done to research and innovate in the field. I think that sort of idea would have a more focused narrative, and be easier to sell to the committee. I also have popular videos to back that, both ways. e.g. Solar Roads mythbusting, and my solar energy videos.

All the idea seems to involve travel  (not easy for a family guy)

[rx8pilot]

I have been in the production business for 20+ years and have some solid customers and contacts in all habitated areas of Australia. Would love to see something come of this. To me, there are great stories to be told in technology. The story is not the tech itself or the ridiculous opening drone shot that can be distracting. I want to see, understand, and feel what the smart people in tech do to accomplish something big.

Dave, I think one of your most significant talents is engaging people and showing the concepts - not just hard technical data. If all you did is heave information it would never have become a community like this. FYI, I live in Los Angeles so if you ended up a the YouTube studio come and visit. I can probably get a visit to a few TV shows or movies which are a blast to break down the tech involved in that area.

Anyway, my particular interests are in energy. I believe there is a ton of mis-information alongside some truly great ideas. If mankind worked out putting people on the moon in 1969, it seems ridiculous that there has been minuscule advancements in generation and distribution of power. 

[EEVblog]

I have been in the production business for 20+ years and have some solid customers and contacts in all habitated areas of Australia.

Thanks.
Yes, if I got the nod and I put out the word I'm sure it wouldn't be had to find people and places to visit.

Anyway, my particular interests are in energy. I believe there is a ton of mis-information alongside some truly great ideas. If mankind worked out putting people on the moon in 1969, it seems ridiculous that there has been minuscule advancements in generation and distribution of power.

Totally.
I like the renewable energy angle, it's in my area of knowledge, and it's a big thing here in Australia with potential mass appeal. With quite a few leading edge research projects being done here.

[pickle9000]

Another idea would be to pick a technology, say renewable energy, and go explore what's being done to research and innovate in the field. I think that sort of idea would have a more focused narrative, and be easier to sell to the committee. I also have popular videos to back that, both ways. e.g. Solar Roads mythbusting, and my solar energy videos.

All the idea seems to involve travel  (not easy for a family guy)

This is a winner

[Stonent]

Another idea would be to pick a technology, say renewable energy, and go explore what's being done to research and innovate in the field. I think that sort of idea would have a more focused narrative, and be easier to sell to the committee. I also have popular videos to back that, both ways. e.g. Solar Roads mythbusting, and my solar energy videos.

All the idea seems to involve travel  (not easy for a family guy)

Solar friggin roadways!

[tggzzz]

I like the renewable energy angle, it's in my area of knowledge, and it's a big thing here in Australia with potential mass appeal. With quite a few leading edge research projects being done here.

If you do, can I suggest you look at a book/website that has garnered serious praise from everybody, ranging from "Big Energy" to "Hardcore Ecowarriors". See http://withouthotair.com/endorsements.html

The author's objective is to replace adjectives with numbers. He normalises everything to the area of the UK "occupied" by one person, and points out that if they want to be self-sufficient then everything would have to come from that area. So, what energy do people use for what purposes, and what could be replaced from that area? He provides half-a-dozen future scenarios and states that he is disinterested in which solution is chosen, but he is very interested in ensuring the scenario is possible and numerate.

From the preface http://withouthotair.com/c0/preface.shtml :

What’s this book about?

I’m concerned about cutting UK emissions of twaddle – twaddle about sustainable energy. Everyone says getting off fossil fuels is important, and we’re all encouraged to “make a difference,” but many of the things that allegedly make a difference don’t add up.

Twaddle emissions are high at the moment because people get emotional (for example about wind farms or nuclear power) and no-one talks about numbers. Or if they do mention numbers, they select them to sound big, to make an impression, and to score points in arguments, rather than to aid thoughtful discussion.

This is a straight-talking book about the numbers. The aim is to guide the reader around the claptrap to actions that really make a difference and to policies that add up.

[LabSpokane]

Dave,

I think it would be great, just keep in mind that you'll need to tell a story. If you want to bring on some help, strongly consider bringing in some talent from an advertising agency.  (Yes, you read that correctly.)  A good advertiser is able to tell a story in 30 seconds.  You will need every bit of that person's skill to tell a compelling technical story in 5 to 7 minutes. 

I'd spend most of my time on finding that great storytelling consultant.  The filming / production people would be far behind in priority. 

[EEVblog]

I think it would be great, just keep in mind that you'll need to tell a story. If you want to bring on some help, strongly consider bringing in some talent from an advertising agency.  (Yes, you read that correctly.)  A good advertiser is able to tell a story in 30 seconds.  You will need every bit of that person's skill to tell a compelling technical story in 5 to 7 minutes. 

I think I can tell a compelling story in 5-7 minutes, I just (ironically) need time to do it properly and plan to do it in the first place. It would take weeks and weeks of work to plan and produce a nice polished 5 minute story.
I'd rather bring in a filmmaker and editor than some advertising person.

I'd spend most of my time on finding that great storytelling consultant.  The filming / production people would be far behind in priority.

Yes, the actual production is not much compared to the story and planning it all out.
Yes,

[EEVblog]

No one has any idea for topics? 

[miguelvp]

How about:

The rebirth of the electronic hobbyist, from computer clubs to hackerspaces, the transition from geeks to makers.

But might require travel.

Edit: you can add 35 year span, or how electronics are now more accessible than it ever was, etc.

[JackP]

How about:

The rebirth of the electronic hobbyist, from computer clubs to hackerspaces, the transition from geeks to makers.

But might require travel.

Edit: you can add 35 year span, or how electronics are now more accessible than it ever was, etc.

^ Talk about your PCLA (how the industry has developed, design processes...)

[rx8pilot]

How about:
The rebirth of the electronic hobbyist, from computer clubs to hackerspaces, the transition from geeks to makers.

I was thinking on similar lines. When I got my first Radio Shack AM radio kit for Christmas in 1981, learning about electronics was far slower. It was a hobby for me until a few years ago when I decided that I wanted a career change.

YouTube and THIS community has allowed me to go from ohms law to designing, building and selling commercial electronics as my sole living. I came from designing and CNC machining advanced mechanics and now I have mid-level circuit design and software skills. These are all skills I picked up on the internet. YouTube videos are good and bad, but the good ones deliver not only book knowledge, but the secret skills and tricks that experienced professionals spent decades learning.

This power that has blossomed over the past 20 years has harnessed the people with aptitude into people that make things and solve problems.

"The Impact of YouTube on Engineering our World"

[LabSpokane]

My suggestion: whatever you do, tell the story of a specific *person*.  It doesn't need to be a famous person, but compelling stories are always about people, not stuff.  The stuff is what you use to color in the story. 

So, find an Aussie with a compelling story and start there. 

[rx8pilot]

My suggestion: whatever you do, tell the story of a specific *person*.  It doesn't need to be a famous person, but compelling stories are always about people, not stuff.  The stuff is what you use to color in the story. 

So, find an Aussie with a compelling story and start there.

Yes.

Dave,

I think it would be great, just keep in mind that you'll need to tell a story. If you want to bring on some help, strongly consider bringing in some talent from an advertising agency.  (Yes, you read that correctly.)  A good advertiser is able to tell a story in 30 seconds.  You will need every bit of that person's skill to tell a compelling technical story in 5 to 7 minutes. 

I'd spend most of my time on finding that great storytelling consultant.  The filming / production people would be far behind in priority. 

After doing hundreds of commercials with ad agencies, I would never have them near a project that need to tell a compelling story. There are some talented documentary filmakers that can capture a story and mold the presentation in an organic way. Advertising types plan the project to a near death experience and then waste a ton of money during the actual production.

I really agree that focusing on a person should be the repeating motif for the series. Variations on how they design, make, or learn could be the episode topic.

[LabSpokane]

After doing hundreds of commercials with ad agencies, I would never have them near a project that need to tell a compelling story. There are some talented documentary filmakers that can capture a story and mold the presentation in an organic way. Advertising types plan the project to a near death experience and then waste a ton of money during the actual production.

I suggested an advertising person because of the 5-7 minute timeframe.  I think Dave is fully capable of doing it, but I think there's some expertise that is far better hired than acquired given the need to condense the story.  The perfect person would be someone who works in Public Broadcasting and does a weekly 1/2 show with two to three feature segments.  I just don't know how available that person is. I really think this short format could be quite challenging.  I don't think it's possible to get into any type of "deep technology" with this, but it is a great way to make the general public familiar with icons of whom they could know little or be totally unaware. 

With a $200K budget, I wouldn't discount the possibility of a trip to Hong Kong and Shenzhen.  Bunnie Huang has to know some great people there to talk to. 

[EEVblog]

With a $200K budget, I wouldn't discount the possibility of a trip to Hong Kong and Shenzhen.  Bunnie Huang has to know some great people there to talk to.

The grant  is "up to $100K".
And I don't know what they mean by the "up to" part.

[pickle9000]

Maybe you should do a few quick, run and gun videos. You could post the on the "other channel" and see where it leads do it in your normal style but only 5 minutes.

- Find a person to interview, anyone. Possibly a person that works in a cal lab, designs mics or is a world traveler and a little dicky.
- Do a comparison between hydro power and an AA battery or solar, maybe show the real costs over time. That could include environmental damage and so on. You have solar on the roof do an intro there.
- Pick a basic product that is made locally show designers, pcb line, case manufacturer,  and maybe a sm resistor and explain evey part had gone through a massive build system from raw material to finished product.

[Galenbo]

Another idea would be to pick a technology, say renewable energy, and go ...

Please not that. It's completely polarised between the 98% dilettantes and the 2% that know ohm's law, it's been completely overexposured in the media, and too much politicians are stuck between budget cuts and easy media attention. And they're scared about everything due to being "generalist"

I made the decision to stop talking to outsiders about renewable, drones and 3d printers, because after 3 sentences all I hear is some false representation of what was falsely stated on the news.
It's not the degree of stupidness that embarrases me, it's the 'volume' of stupidness. Before, I politely endured their words, carefully trying to send it to another topic, but everytime it ended up like suddenly everybody at the table had to say their words about it.

You did debunk the solaroads story in a great specific and detailed way, no need for more. The greenbelievers will keep on disliking or blocking your video, the people in the sector knew the thruth before 2004.

No one has any idea for topics? 

One thing I would like to see, is a series of videos that show the huge difference between a hobby project and a product realisation.
As you showed before, you quickly run up to EMC and machine, electrical, safety regulations but there must be a way to illustrate both paths.

Many are stuck at the 'blinking led' level, but also at the breadboard or prototype level.
There's also a big difference between making something for yourself and make it work for others too.

Maybe coach people with a prototype to realise their product selling?

No one has any idea for topics? 

Where's the Dave that said: Don't fucking tell me what to do.
If you have an idea, do it yourself... Wgroahr.
:-) :-) :-)

[EEVblog]

One thing I would like to see, is a series of videos that show the huge difference between a hobby project and a product realisation.
As you showed before, you quickly run up to EMC and machine, electrical, safety regulations but there must be a way to illustrate both paths.

Many are stuck at the 'blinking led' level, but also at the breadboard or prototype level.
There's also a big difference between making something for yourself and make it work for others too.

Maybe coach people with a prototype to realise their product selling?

That's not what this thing is about.
Again, the things they want to see:

Skip Ahead is a joint initiative of Screen Australia and Google to help a new generation of online storytellers to expand their vision and the ambition of the content they create for online audiences.

The program aims to cultivate original Australian narrative-based content made specifically for global online audiences.

"the potential of the project to expand the subscriber base of the applicant’s channel(s) and/or reach new audiences and opportunities for commercialisation (20%)"

This can't be my regular technical type videos that appeal to just my regular audience.

[Galenbo]

That's not what this thing is about.
Again, the things they want to see:

Skip Ahead is a joint initiative of Screen Australia and Google to help a new generation of online storytellers to expand their vision and the ambition of the content they create for online audiences.

The program aims to cultivate original Australian narrative-based content made specifically for global online audiences.

"the potential of the project to expand the subscriber base of the applicant’s channel(s) and/or reach new audiences and opportunities for commercialisation (20%)"

This can't be my regular technical type videos that appeal to just my regular audience.

Sorry, I hadn't seen these sentences.
Am I the only one that hardly can imagine what is asked here? Maybe because i'm no native english speaker.
(or maybe because it's some strange govt-related spec writer?)

What I (I guess falsely) understand in these sentences is:
1) give management lessons
2) translate Australian to global english
3) do some marketing

The other times I saw such sentences, those specs were written on an existing consultant organisation, and the 'winner' was already known.
But I'm surely wrong about that this time.

[Mechanical Menace]

This can't be my regular technical type videos that appeal to just my regular audience.

Given that then an exposé on the oh so common renewable energy and free energy scams would be brilliant, I just wouldn't limit it to solar roads. You could look into the whole culture of the believers and the scam artists themselves as well as the technical and straight up physics failings.

I also think that you're an outdoorsy type and a fan of renewables done right could help it carry more weight than it "just" been the opinion of engineers etc...

[Zucca]

No one has any idea for topics? 

"The Art of EE Design"

A movie exploring the beauty of solving a problem through electronic systems: showing examples of bad/good designs, interviews with some smart asses EE.
Basically do you remember the video when Dave explained the µCurrent? Something like this but professionally made.

[rx8pilot]

This can't be my regular technical type videos that appeal to just my regular audience.

Given that then an exposé on the oh so common renewable energy and free energy scams would be brilliant, I just wouldn't limit it to solar roads. You could look into the whole culture of the believers and the scam artists themselves as well as the technical and straight up physics failings.

I also think that you're an outdoorsy type and a fan of renewables done right could help it carry more weight than it "just" been the opinion of engineers etc...

I like this one.......has a BIG audience and does not need overly detailed engineering analysis to present some critical thinking skills needed to debunk eco-energy-scams.

[LabSpokane]

This can't be my regular technical type videos that appeal to just my regular audience.

Given that then an exposé on the oh so common renewable energy and free energy scams would be brilliant, I just wouldn't limit it to solar roads. You could look into the whole culture of the believers and the scam artists themselves as well as the technical and straight up physics failings.

I also think that you're an outdoorsy type and a fan of renewables done right could help it carry more weight than it "just" been the opinion of engineers etc...

I like this one.......has a BIG audience and does not need overly detailed engineering analysis to present some critical thinking skills needed to debunk eco-energy-scams.

To see one film in this genre, head to: www.switchenergyproject.com

Scott Tinker is a geologist, but a very well respected one. I'm not saying to use it as a model. it is well done, very balanced, and worth seeing as a baseline.

[dr.diesel]

It won't interfere with Mailbag Monday will it?

[ez24]

I may be off base but my feeling this is about entertainment, not serious stuff like here.  So someone sitting at a scope is not going to make the cut.

So some of my suggestions (on stories):

- robot wars  or robot contests in your universities  ( I liked the robot wars a few years ago where they chopped each other up)

- do you have any schools doing any kind of races across Australia using technology?

- drones, drone wars

- well anyway my feeling is they want entertainment, and us being here, it would be technology related.  Today that is toys, robots, cars, airplanes.  ie anything that moves, not test equipment.  Can you doing anything along the lines of MythBusters, ie what would happen if you put a stick of dynamite inside a Tek 465 and wire it to the 20mV/div scale?  They would use a solenoid activator to turn the knob by the way.

Some schools in the US have robot contests, solar car contests, etc.  Do Australian schools do the same?  Something fun that electronics is involved.    So there could be schools, government, private industry.

Does DARPA do anything there?  They have some fun robots  (7.8 million views)  -->   

Or how about one of these going up Ayers Rock  (1.7 million views and my favorite)  -- >    Maybe they could loan one to you and you could do a break down test on top of Ayers Rock.
Maybe Boston Dynamics would work with you (it might help them break into the Australian market)

Can you report on the Australian military work on robots like DARPA?  Any other interesting robotic or drone work being done in Australia?

Do you have any robots going after the dingos?  How about a kangaroo robot?  Seems you have lots of opportunities due to your unique animals and landscape (the Outback).  How about a robot that hops like a kangaroo, runs like a dingo, and crosses the Outback?  Have drone companies crossed the Outback?  Now that would be an Australian story.   

ie any electronic stories on the Outback (maybe put a 8 1/2 digit Keysight on a sled and drag it across the Outback then check the drift?)

A bicycle moves also  --> 

the moral of the story - I do not know what Australia is doing with robots so that might be a fun story.

[Muttley Snickers]

I said previously that I wouldn't post on this topic again mainly because I didn't understand the criteria that was being requested as part of the proposal, and in all honesty I still don't.

Had a look at the videos that you linked to and was not the slightest bit impressed, the lend me your car thing was just showing the tourist a view and was far too planned and scripted for my liking, lost me at the DeLorean but I gave it a chance for a few more videos, didn't get any better. Wont even bother with the rest, had a quick look through, seen zombies before, the axis thing I didn't get at all and the rest were cartoons, and someone gave these people money, for what ?

I do have one more concept and it's a subject that you have touched on before, it indirectly involves you and for that matter all Australians, how about an insight into the National Broadband Network, travel around, talk to the people who are actually installing the cabling and infrastructure, spend some time in the pit yourself, the onsite guys will be entertaining. Have a chat with Malcolm, chuck some rocks at Telstra and NBN Co.

Who will maintain it going forward, who are these people, how did they get here. What qualifications do they need, visit some universities, how will it benefit people. I'm thinking along the lines of a heads up rather than a how to, potential for a huge audience.

You get the gist.

[rogerx3]

Especially after seeing eevblab10 I think Dave should do a series on electronics building blocks.

[EEVblog]

- do you have any schools doing any kind of races across Australia using technology?

Yes, the world solar racing car challenge is held every year in outback Australia.
I was invited to tag along last year, but you know, family priorities, cost, time, the usual stories.

Can you report on the Australian military work on robots like DARPA?  Any other interesting robotic or drone work being done in Australia?

Just tonight I was invited to see and talk tech on a 2.1m rotor-rotor span, 50kg payload ocotocopter.

[ez24]

Just tonight I was invited to see and talk tech on a 2.1m rotor-rotor span, 50kg payload ocotocopter.

now that is interesting - I will start my diet now (50kg uh?)   Maybe could be used to get dogs to the vet ?  ie an emergency air ambulance for animals !  How much does a pig weigh?  ie the day of the flying pigs

hint: for entertainment value and if safe - fly a small pig and post "flying pigs"  Could stay 1 foot off the ground (grass) and use camera angles to make it look good and not endanger the pig.  Since you have a lot of the same slang as the US does, I assume "flying pigs" is also in your language as an idiom or joke of some sort.

like "that will be the day when pigs fly"  or "that will be the day when Dave talks about 2.1 meter ocotocopters"

[tautech]

You could even say that there is a bit of a divide between the old school and new school groups. The HAMs and highly analogue people, and the new "digital module" people who just plug stuff into their Arduinos and use a code library to make it work.

IMHO it's far bigger than this....
EG. My father who was born 200 m from where I live, he saw electricity installed in 1935 and electricity made the largest diference to his, his parents and all our lives, more so than ANY technology in the last century. AND how much are we and and our children taught to marvel in this wonderful electrical world we live in.........BUGGER ALL. 
We respect the guy that mixes our drinks more than those that craft the gadgets that make our lives easier with electrial/electronic wonders. 

Dave, take some time to demonstrate how little we take electricity for granted, how its power influences everything we do, from cell phones to washing machines to PC's to elevators to TV's and so on.
Because ppl can't see it, they don't/won't understand it, it's our job to enlighten them.
Think about "hooking" the un-initiated into the EE field, your existing work for them to "grow" in to. 

[Mechanical Menace]

Tautech, if we carried on treating things as miracles long after they'd become common place we'd still be marvelling at how amazing sharpened sticks are and worshipping people who could start a fire. I'm not saying certain amazingly important things aren't underappreciated compared to useless gits but going too far the other way isn't a good idea.

[tautech]

Tautech, if we carried on treating things as miracles long after they'd become common place we'd still be marvelling at how amazing sharpened sticks are and worshipping people who could start a fire. I'm not saying certain amazingly important things aren't underappreciated compared to useless gits but going too far the other way isn't a good idea.

Agreed, but in your opinion isn't it so often overlooked? 
I see the rug rats of today with NO appreciation of the world we live in, be it natural or man-made.
Aren't they supposed to be the future, god help us.

[Mechanical Menace]

Agreed, but in your opinion isn't it so often overlooked? 
I see the rug rats of today with NO appreciation of the world we live in, be it natural or man-made.
Aren't they supposed to be the future, god help us.

I think some of that is the impression you get of kids, not what they're really like if you can deobfuscate the slang. I also think that my generation onwards have grown up with having to just accept and take for granted amazing changes every couple of years otherwise we'd be overwhelmed.

I mean when I was very young I got a BBC with a whopping 64k of ram. When I was 15 I had a mobile phone that could connect to a cut down version of the web and run Java apps. Inbetween and since there's a constant stream of what once upon a time would be a world changing new tech that there could be decades or (probably before anyone on here can remember) generations between. We've never really had a chance to appreciate what an improvement these new toys have made except in retrospect.

Why do you think the retro scene has got so big? Because it's easier to see what changed the world than what is changing it.

[tautech]

Agreed, but in your opinion isn't it so often overlooked? 
I see the rug rats of today with NO appreciation of the world we live in, be it natural or man-made.
Aren't they supposed to be the future, god help us.

I think some of that is the impression you get of kids, not what they're really like if you can deobfuscate the slang. I also think that my generation onwards have grown up with having to just accept and take for granted amazing changes every couple of years otherwise we'd be overwhelmed.

I mean when I was very young I got a BBC with a whopping 64k of ram. When I was 15 I had a mobile phone that could connect to a cut down version of the web and run Java apps. Inbetween and since there's a constant stream of what once upon a time would be a world changing new tech that there could be decades or generations between. We've never really had a chance to appreciate what an improvement these new toys have made except in retrospect.

True, its a diffent view from my age point. Ram was the sheep that rode a ewe whem I was young and 64k was an address down the road. 

Target audience will be the key for Dave on his quest, and that's not old farts like me. 

[EEVblog]

Another idea:
A doco on how crowd funding has changed the shape of small business startups. Interview people who have gotten millions practically overnight.

[ez24]

A doco on how crowd funding has changed the shape of small business startups. Interview people who have gotten millions practically overnight.

I agree  -   millions is just as much fun as drones and flying pigs

[rx8pilot]

Another idea:
A doco on how crowd funding has changed the shape of small business startups. Interview people who have gotten millions practically overnight.

You will un-earth some naive characters with big dreams and marginal skills for that topic. Maybe a double threaded presentation where one person is actually successful and another is a failure. What was done right and where did the failure go wrong?

Google Sketchup and a 3D printer enable so many to think they can manufacture something commercially. Many new-ish tech is very enabling like 3D printers and micro-controllers. You still have ALL of the challenges of starting and running a real business. Some get that and plan for it, but most seem to think that they only need an idea that they can print out on their new $1500 printer. Those that fund the effort are paying for a VERY steep learning curve that will benefit that person or group - but they may or probably wont get a product delivered as promised.

Yes, I like this one. It could set the stage for cleaning up the system where total hacks are at least ID'd to give the backers more information to base the decision.

[timofonic]

You could even say that there is a bit of a divide between the old school and new school groups. The HAMs and highly analogue people, and the new "digital module" people who just plug stuff into their Arduinos and use a code library to make it work.

IMHO it's far bigger than this....
EG. My father who was born 200 m from where I live, he saw electricity installed in 1935 and electricity made the largest diference to his, his parents and all our lives, more so than ANY technology in the last century. AND how much are we and and our children taught to marvel in this wonderful electrical world we live in.........BUGGER ALL. 
We respect the guy that mixes our drinks more than those that craft the gadgets that make our lives easier with electrial/electronic wonders. 

Dave, take some time to demonstrate how little we take electricity for granted, how its power influences everything we do, from cell phones to washing machines to PC's to elevators to TV's and so on.
Because ppl can't see it, they don't/won't understand it, it's our job to enlighten them.
Think about "hooking" the un-initiated into the EE field, your existing work for them to "grow" in to. 

I would prefer an "edutainment" web series about it.

- How electronics started, hobbyists, Open Hardware and how important electronics is for our current livings.
- Explain in a interesting and easy way basic electronics concepts, discrete components and how much fun they can be.
- A critic about the LEGO way of electronic hobbyists and how it can destroy real creativity, just like you can buy everything instead building it yourself.

What I would do? Something like Halt and Catch Fire with a bit of IT Crowd, but full of realism and good actors that look like the real pioneers. It would cost millions and require a very large cast.

But not, that's not going to happen! People prefer to see gangsta rap, realities, "sports" and all kind of retarded bullshit instead

[rocketfire]

1st suggestion: converting an old car into a drag EV. It doesn't need to be road registrable or have long range just good power.

There's lot of tech decisions to be made; battery types, energy vs power, power electronics, motor choice, etc. All pretty "normal" ee decisions but on a larger scale. Plenty of resources to draw on, plus car mods go great on youtube.

2nd suggestion: Convert a farm quad bike to EV. Farmers don't need to do many K's but an EV quad would be cheaper to run, more reliable and safer. Plus the lessons learnt would help with pimping the Sinclair C5.

[Galenbo]

Another idea:
A doco on how crowd funding has changed the shape of small business startups.

+1

[ez24]

On my local TV news (San Diego, Calif) last night was a story on a "air bike".  It was invented in New Zealand and is being developed in Sydney.  I thought it was interesting to see a story related to Sydney on my local news.  The "air bike" , sorry I forgot the correct name, uses two fans and looks like it hovers about 6 inches off the ground.

But I still think a pig at the controls would be more interesting.  I saw an old film once of a horse driving a car by itself.

[Twonius]

Do a full autotopsy on a tesla model S. After its stripped down drive it around like a big go-kart

These guys did it with a Corvette, and a crappy one at that.

[dexters_lab]

No one has any idea for topics? 

how about looking at the design to production of high value electronics goods...  top spec mobile phones comes to mind or things that have particular design constraints on size, weight like action cams

of course you would have to get co-operation from the brands featured

[colotron]

What about some bullshit hunting?, I mean, techno bullshit. Solar roadways = 1st program, perpetual motion machines, dodgy crowd funding projects.
I don't think it could be the only topic of the series by itself, but a segment maybe?.
That plus some educational stuff....
Well, I'm not very original , do something like Bill Nye + DeGrasse Tyson (from the electronics-tech side)+ Myth Busters + James Randi....
Oh, another shit idea, you could be the Gordon Ramsay of electronic startups!!!.
I'm so predictable 

[ivan747]

This can't be my regular technical type videos that appeal to just my regular audience.

Given that then an exposé on the oh so common renewable energy and free energy scams would be brilliant, I just wouldn't limit it to solar roads. You could look into the whole culture of the believers and the scam artists themselves as well as the technical and straight up physics failings.

I also think that you're an outdoorsy type and a fan of renewables done right could help it carry more weight than it "just" been the opinion of engineers etc...

I like this one.......has a BIG audience and does not need overly detailed engineering analysis to present some critical thinking skills needed to debunk eco-energy-scams.

I agree on this one too. And you're good at this. You would benefit from not having to use a whiteboard. The content is already great, but with hood presentation it would be worthy of being even a TV show.

[ivan747]

What about some bullshit hunting?, I mean, techno bullshit. Solar roadways = 1st program, perpetual motion machines, dodgy crowd funding projects.
I don't think it could be the only topic of the series by itself, but a segment maybe?.
That plus some educational stuff....
Well, I'm not very original , do something like Bill Nye + DeGrasse Tyson (from the electronics-tech side)+ Myth Busters + James Randi....
Oh, another shit idea, you could be the Gordon Ramsay of electronic startups!!!.
I'm so predictable 

tonight on startup nightmares...
'WHYYYYYY! THEY PROBABLY WENT BACK TO THEIR CUBICLES BASHING THEIR HEAD AGAINST THE DESK!'
...dave does a reality check on this new 3D printing company