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













