We are certainly facing an economic crisis like most of us have never seen before, and the signs can be seen all over the world, but are we reaching the extreme of offering valuable services for close to nothing? Or is this a clear case of a genius idea that we have never thought of before?

"I'm serious," John Morefield said, laughing when asked about his booth, which has appeared two weeks in a row at the open-air street market in old Ballard. "I'm here to answer questions. And I do charge a nickel. I've made a dollar today so far."

Twice laid off from architectural firms in the past year when work dried up, the 27-year-old was inspired by a public radio program's "Ask an Iraqi" show and Lucy's psychiatric help stand in the comic "Peanuts." Morefield decided to set up a booth, offer cheap advice on home remodeling - and hope the contacts would turn into design jobs.

So he built the small stand and painted his sign. He packed up his draftsman tools and laptop (for mapping research that extends beyond the top of his head) and set out. He secured space with market organizers, and brought a stool and a warm coat.

The more I think of it, the more I realise that it was an excellent idea. "It will never pay off", you might say; but the truth is that this guy has already had news coverage from the blogosphere, some newapapers... and on top of this discreet fame and attention he is getting, he still has the chance of finding some job opportunities amongst the people he talks to in the street. So, in a way, it has paid off already.
A genius is an individual who successfully applies a previously unknown technique in the production of a work of art, science or calculation... according to wikipedia, this guy is Einstein. Lets wait and see.

Check out his website here: Architecture 5¢