This week we're trying to figure out how to create a working Human Stock Market, for both charitable and investment reasons.

Justin brought up a great question yesterday. Because securing funding for one's own education would likely be the greatest use of entering the Human Stock Market. But, buying and selling shares in minors would be problematic, and super creepy knowing you don't really have their consent.

So, I think an 18-year old minimum age is probably a great idea. But also hurts what I think might be a big market - helping put promising third-world children through primary school as well as college in hopes of both helping them succeed and profiting on the success.

Justin hypothesized regulation to prevent monopoly ownership or employer influence. The monopoly question is a great one. What if we make it so that no individual can give up majority ownership in their stock. The individual must always possess at least a 51% share. That would also keep the individual as the primarily "decision-maker" over their own life plan. Can you imagine a meeting where your Board of Directors tells you to give up writing to become a mechanic?

As far as employer influence, why shouldn't an employer be able to buy someone's stock before hiring them? I don't exactly know why they'd want to, because it would just be like taking money out from one pocket and putting it in the other, especially if the job was this person's sole income. But if they think this person is going to go places, sure, the more power to them.

What else do we need to think about ?

So, I want to do this. Or at the very least, figure out it's impossible and give up.

Here's the premise. I love what Kiva's now doing in terms of student loan micro-lending. Having donors provide children with no-interest loans that are repaid upon completion. But, even if Kiva keeps their maximum gift at $25, like they do with their other loans, you're waiting a long time before you get repaid.

Which is fine. But, I'm nervous that the repayment period may scare people away. So, what if we add some risk/reward to the possibility?

Hence my original Human Stock Market idea from a few years ago. You invest in the person. Not the business. The idea-maker. Not just the one idea.

You invest in a promising child's education or other funding, and receive a small share of that person's life earnings. The person becomes the corporation. The share entitles you to a percentage of their net income.

So, here's the problem? Because this isn't going to work if it's on a honor-basis. How could I do this without insane regulation? I would just have to confirm their personal tax statements each year, right? But obviously, the person could funnel money into corporations and other businesses. How could this work?

As far as Justin's question to how share prices are decided. That's for the market to decide. The person could release an IPO at a set price. But based on the factors you mentioned, demographics, resume, parental successes (genetics), goals and dreams, the share price of funding your kid and another kid would assuredly be different.

Help people. If we figure this out by the end of the week, I'm starting it.