SocialVibe.comThe Vibe
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Bill Gates is smart by anyone's standards, but I don't think any of us thought he had the guts to make the statement he did at this week's TED conference.

The Microsoft genius released a glass full of mosquitoes on a room full of attendees - why, you ask? To emphasize the importance of putting a stop to malaria, which is spread through infected mosquitoes.



    'Malaria is spread by mosquitoes,' Gates said while opening a jar on stage at a gathering known to attract technology kings, politicians, and Hollywood stars. 'I brought some. Here I'll let them roam around. There is no reason only poor people should be infected.'"

We're pretty sure none of the mosquitoes were infected by malaria, but regardless, he makes a good point. Sure, there may be better methods of driving the point home, but this was certainly effective. Not only are the attendees sure to remember, but his surprising gesture has given him plenty of press coverage which will bring attention to the malaria issue.

Each year there are approximately 515 million new cases of malaria, killing between 1 and 3 million people - the majority of them young children in Sub-Saharan Africa. Last year, SocialVibe members raised enough money for Children for Children to provide 400 insecticide-treated bed nets that will prevent the spread of malaria.

What do you think of the great mosquito release? Was it too much or do you think this scared the attendees into action?

via SlashDot


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COMMENTS (92)
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LilJohnAY

LilJohnAY says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

That's actually pretty cool.
He's right, not only poor people should be infected.

Bravo, Mr. Jobs,
on an excellent show.
:]

Genovipers

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Great idea, but I'm surprised the DHS didn't detain him for terrorism.

Martin

Martin says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

'Malaria is spread by mosquitoes,' Gates said while opening a jar on stage at a gathering known to attract technology kings, politicians, and Hollywood stars. 'I brought some. Here I'll let them roam around. There is no reason only poor people should be infected.'"

if were talking about jobs then why does it say gates.

JERthe3rd

JERthe3rd says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

I am with Martin, it says Gates. But yeah, this is a perfect example. Go Mr. Jobs.

daisy

daisy says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

definately not too much, that was a great way to prove a point and push for action

Kassy Dee

Kassy Dee says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

i would freak out!

Kassy Dee

Kassy Dee says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

didnt it say steve jobs 10 seconds ago? hahaha.

SocialVibe

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Yes it did!!! We messed up. It's fixed now thanks for setting our record straight. Is it Friday yet? :)

sandra92

sandra92 says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Good idea :D

lovesandhugs.net

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Gotta love Mr. Gates.

gacktxrawr

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

smart guy.

Jlettimo

Jlettimo says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Indeed, good show my good man ^_^

Darian.

Darian. says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Wow!! Ha, that's amazing. He has guts, I'll give him that. Oh hell, He's my hero. xD (not really...) That was a great way to prove his point though, by making sure people knew what he was saying. He didn't just give a speech, he made sure they would remember it and think about it.

hhhayl.

hhhayl. says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

the best way to get the point across!

ahoykrristen

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Way to get the point across :P

muh-lis-uhh

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Smart idea.
I'm just shocked he didn't get in A LOT of trouble

Edgar Ranger Danger

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Go Bill !!!!!!!!

chelsea-cringe

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

I have a new respect for him actually, you know he had a point about not only poor people should be infected, it goes to show he has a lot of character. Excellent Mr. Moneybucks your an allstar!

kristaleann

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Ughh I hate mosquitoes. They are and will always be my phobia. I can't even stand to be in a room with let alone one. I hear a buzzing noise and I get panic attacks.. I'd say he made a very point, yes. Although I if I were in that room, I'd be the maniac to go running and screaming out of the room as fast as I could. haha.

Chelly

Chelly says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

wow thats actually a great way to get your point across. not out of line at all.

simplie strasse

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

nicky:
what he did is hella smart.
seriously, a lot of people in power are just finding ANYY solution. in my opinion it would take for them to spend time in the life of a person truley battling those mosquitos. So Bill Gates pretty much gave them shit for a whole speech. I LOVE IT! (:

kevin

kevin says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

thats a good way to get ppl to do something about it! lol thats cool

BrittneyNicole;;

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

I think it was a bloody brilliant idea. :D

Stacia.

Stacia. says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

excellent idea.
but i can help but feel a little irked about what probably happened to most of those mosquitoes.

The Monkey Genious

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

I don't care for his computers but his outlook on morality and ethics is astonishingly well developed

floridablonde2099

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

i think thats not right. i understand trying to prove a point but that's just a little scary

Natascha

Natascha says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Bout time....for truth!

[SAM]antha

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Well, I do think it was a little over the top, but if nothing else is going to catch the people's attention, why not? I mean, whatever's clever! haha I think it was very brave of him. Good job, Bill!

Maddy

Maddy says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

That was a good idea. I wish I was there to see it.

Jessieboo

Jessieboo says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Amazing, i love it, he is so right.
poor people get treated like animals.

joezwife

joezwife says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

THATS THE BEST iDEA EVER...WHAT A WAY TO GET ATTENTiON. :)

distortedart

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

people seem to only react when there is fear involved. i think bill gates did the right thing. as it is a little strange, it drove the point straight home and it's something that needed to be understood

Nicoles Like_Whoaa

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Go Mr. Gatess !
lolz
i really like the way your creativity (:

Daspark12

Daspark12 says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

yea bill show em

*roXXX* â„¢ [WWF]

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

I actually think that is amazing the point he was trying to make. Just because we do not live something ourselves does not mean it does not happen other places.
AWARENESS is necessary!

kudos to BILL

VeggieNuisance

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

That's awesome.
Enough said.
;D

LifelessLisa

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

woo. Go Bill Gates. Lol. I mean, it may have been a really stupid idea, but, it proved a point.

*!*Ritz*!*

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

I think he set a good exaple by doin that...Good job mr.Genuis :]

Kristie

Kristie says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

I think that's awesome. There were probably more tactful ways to prove his point, but would any have been as effective? I doubt it, lol.

nessa

nessa says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

good job :D

ztaeyecandy

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

hahahahha that's awesome

HSIV2009

HSIV2009 says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

wtf??? if he weren't the nation's richest man he'd be charged with terrorism and detained by the department of homeland security!

Jazmynn

Jazmynn says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Hes great

ana_g2010

ana_g2010 says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

good.

[: Marilyn :]

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

I think it was definitely not too much, it was just perfect.....
way to go Mr.Jobs :]

Garrett

Garrett says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Way to go Bill Gates, way to wake them up!

Victor

Victor says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

LilJohnAY ....its Bill Gates .....not steve jobs

Azzy

Azzy says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Holy crap! Bill Gates is a badass!

Victor

Victor says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

oh i see...SV messed up!...haha........

Daniel

Daniel says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Mad respect for Bill Gates!

dolphinlefty

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Dang. I have goose bumps from this! Mosquitos are the WORST. They love me. 8| He definitely got the point across.

amandagirlll

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

WOW, GO BILLL GATES !!!
dont stop now keep going !

Genovipers

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

I read this earlier and it said steve jobs....now it's bill gates?!?

mellllyyyyy

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

that's really awesome.

LunacyFringe

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Kudos to him
That was a very good analogy

*Carolina*

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Props to Mr. Jobs. He always know how to make an impression.
:]

Danielle

Danielle says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

brilliant!

kizz33

kizz33 says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

haha nice. good way to prove a point. awesome

Nicholas

Nicholas says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

I think that It may actually be possible for HIV to be spread by mosquitos. Although not probable, I dont see any scientific reason why it would be impossible...

Kassy

Kassy says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Wow.

~dp2007~

~dp2007~ says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

I think that was great what he did!! It proves a point and makes people realize that we need to help.

Alyts.com

Alyts.com says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

wait , wha?
i saw thing is the morning and it was it was steve jobs lol
....
i guess XD

mattchew

mattchew says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

i think he did exactly what needed to be done
:)

thefirestarts

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

that's amazing.
:D

Zuri Coteau

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

I think that's an amazing way to make a statement and get people to pay attention.
props to him. bravo.

SH0RTY SANCHEZ

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

=D

dazed_in_the_music

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

He definitely got his point across.

Kudos to him for bringing everyone's attention to this.

sticks.stones.techno

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

that's totally genius.
go gates!

collieluver66

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

why does the link say steve jobs but the article says bill gates? D:

marissa mockingbird

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

he's my new hero ;D

Meycee

Meycee says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

That's amazing. He's definitely using his brains for a good cause.

foreverloving

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

That is a great idea to show the rich a point about what is happening in the world

RAWRCindy

RAWRCindy says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

that was actually a good idea, and good on him for trying to help and getting his point across

moeluvshobo

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

i totally would have slapped him.lol.

SARAH SAVES THE WORLD!

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

GO BILL!
FTW!!
:)
XD

Heywingz

Heywingz says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

go BILL!!!

Dark_Gecko33612

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Bill Gates is looked at as a bad guy in a lot of ways. but to me hes more human and real then anyone else out there. Beast lol

@m&@

@m&@ says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Lol. I support Mr. Gates. XD

valerieann

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

that was a really good idea. it makes a lot of sense. <3

Kev-0

Kev-0 says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Very great

gerli next door

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

great idea. I think he's absolutely right.

Saby

Saby says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

now, THAT is a great kind of statement!

kadyllaine

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

pretty sure it scared them into action. it's a really good push for them.

MR X

MR X says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

a bit on the extreme side but if the mosquitoes weren't infected by malaria, than it is actually pretty cool and he got his point across and also got a lot of press attention which will bting this case to light even more

cadillac807

POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Ok like I know Bill Gates Has his own cause. Why is he not using this site yet to help raise even more money

Yasmin

Yasmin says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

Well they do say actions speak louder than words....

jayareee

jayareee says:
POSTED 3 YEARS AGO

that is awesomeee. haha he definitely knows how to make a statement :P P

ginny1226

ginny1226 says:
POSTED 2 YEARS AGO

Sean John is also helping the fight against malaria - for every t-shirt purchased, $20 will go towards providing mosquito nets for African families! http://www.seanjohn.com/malarianomore

katrinaPadilla

POSTED 2 YEARS AGO

he's a beast. I admore him haha. rich and still cares, what a generous man.

414407

414407 says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

My name is Craciun Florin , I'm from Romania and I watched on TV Discavery, two reports made in Africa and India to fight against the mosquito population and we were impressed by the victims in India, God forgive them, Considering that the situation will be repeated and measures that we have seen that are proposed to be taken,poliestern expanded in the toilets and beds and mosquito nets sprayed with chemicals, or not to save people, they'll have little impact and will not protect the poor and uninformed, we propose to apply the method that I apply when fishing in the Danube Delta, a damp place where they are at least as many mosquitoes for 2-3 days wash 2-3 times a day with a piece of raw salt from the salt mine, I wash with it, like a soap, let it dry salt on the skin, then rinse and leave it in a few mins will feel a little oily,do not use perfume , deodorants or soap for 2-3 weeks to wash the skin where it emanate a smell of salt, a little harsh but not like the mosquitoes will not bite the skin and .1 ton of salt, in this raw, and cost $ 100 can save the lives of tens of thousands of people I hope you apply and be well. So God help us,Florin

414407

414407 says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

My name is Craciun Florin , I'm from Romania and I watched on TV Discavery, two reports made in Africa and India to fight against the mosquito population and we were impressed by the victims in India, God forgive them, Considering that the situation will be repeated and measures that we have seen that are proposed to be taken,poliestern expanded in the toilets and beds and mosquito nets sprayed with chemicals, or not to save people, they'll have little impact and will not protect the poor and uninformed, we propose to apply the method that I apply when fishing in the Danube Delta, a damp place where they are at least as many mosquitoes for 2-3 days wash 2-3 times a day with a piece of raw salt from the salt mine, I wash with it, like a soap, let it dry salt on the skin, then rinse and leave it in a few mins will feel a little oily,do not use perfume , deodorants or soap for 2-3 weeks to wash the skin where it emanate a smell of salt, a little harsh but not like the mosquitoes will not bite the skin and .1 ton of salt, in this raw, and cost $ 100 can save the lives of tens of thousands of people I hope you apply and be well. So God help us,Florin

414407

414407 says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

My name is Craciun Florin , I'm from Romania and I watched on TV Discavery, two reports made in Africa and India to fight against the mosquito population and we were impressed by the victims in India, God forgive them, Considering that the situation will be repeated and measures that we have seen that are proposed to be taken,poliestern expanded in the toilets and beds and mosquito nets sprayed with chemicals, or not to save people, they'll have little impact and will not protect the poor and uninformed, we propose to apply the method that I apply when fishing in the Danube Delta, a damp place where they are at least as many mosquitoes for 2-3 days wash 2-3 times a day with a piece of raw salt from the salt mine, I wash with it, like a soap, let it dry salt on the skin, then rinse and leave it in a few mins will feel a little oily,do not use perfume , deodorants or soap for 2-3 weeks to wash the skin where it emanate a smell of salt, a little harsh but not like the mosquitoes will not bite the skin and .1 ton of salt, in this raw, and cost $ 100 can save the lives of tens of thousands of people I hope you apply and be well. So God help us,Florin


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