Industry Figure Tom Chappell

IBM and top scientific research organizations are joining forces in a humanitarian effort to tap the unused power of millions of computers and help solve complex social problems… The massive volunteer project will be unveiled Tuesday by Sam Palmisano, CEO of International Business Machines Corp. (IBM), the world’s largest computer company, along with United Nations officials, researchers from the Mayo Clinic, Oxford University and South Africa, and others.
-Eric Auchard, Reuters

The first project, underway now, is described on their web site:

Human Proteome Folding Project
World Community Grid is focusing on a project key to advancing our knowledge of human disease. By identifying the proteins that make up the Human Proteome, scientists can build the understanding needed for novel and effective treatments for diseases like cancer, HIV/AIDS, SARS, and malaria.

So, stop looking for e.t. and start using your idle CPU minutes to actually help change the world.