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Then again, you could try something completely left field and creative. People who know anything about machine learning will follow conventional wisdom and pot

• 3pt14159 14y ago
  I've seen a couple step changes in the quality of results and they are usually from people that have immersed themselves in current methods, identified the problems with the current methods, then stepped back 100 meters to try to reason about the problem in a different way. Unlike, say, selling something online, machine learning has strong underpinnings in mathematics. You do really need to stand on the shoulders of giants in order to move the needle forward. It is more in common with building a bridge than it is with coming up with something revolutionary like renting dvds through the mail instead of a brick and mortar store. Imagine a bridge building contest where the goal was to something that could take a train across a river. I should hope someone coming along and suggesting the rough concepts to an aspiring bridge builder would be lauded. "If you use suspension, be sure to check for systemic wind loads" "Don't forget about the foundations at the end of the bridge" and "If you use concrete, remember to give the concrete enough cover over the reinforcing steel bars so that it doesn't become unsightly" are all good pieces of advice that someone should know. Now, once you learn the basics and can do what has already been done - absolutely push the field forward.