Rapper Big Boi helps charity by getting 50K diamond Nikes for free

If you're like me, when you think of innovative ways to be philanthropic the first thing that comes to mind is getting workers in India to put fifty thousand dollars worth of diamonds on a pair of Nikes so you can give them to a wealthy celebrity. 

It's a simple dream, really, but in these cynical times it has been a dream long left unfulfilled. 

Until now.  A few weeks ago in Atlanta, Outkast's Big Boi was presented with the first (!) pair of 50K Solitaire Kicks.  Less expensive versions will go on sale to the rest of us mere mortals. 

And how does this benefit charity, you ask?  Proceeds from sales made during the event announcing the diamond-encrusted sneaks went to Big Boi's Big Kidz Foundation.

One observer's commentary: "sneaker culture is wack."