Bill Gates Unleashes Swarm of Mosquitoes on Crowd

[Satty]

Linkypoo

Microsoft founder turned philanthropist Bill Gates released a glass full of mosquitoes at an elite technology conference to make a point about the deadly disease malaria.

"Malaria is spread by mosquitoes," Gates said while opening a jar onstage at the Technology, Entertainment, Design Conference — 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."

First reported on social networking site Twitter, Facebook's Senior Platform Manager Dave Morin blogged, "Bill Gates just released mosquitos into the audience at TED."

Gates then waited a minute or so before assuring the audience the freed insects were malaria-free.

The unusual presentation on malaria prevention was confirmed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's media office. A spokesman said the insects released were not carrying malaria.

Gates retired as head of Microsoft last year to focus more on his foundation. One of its key projects is ending malaria and it has spent millions on fighting the disease.

The philanthropist has been pushing to reduce malaria deaths through the nonprofit. In September, Gates announced that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation would provide $168.7 million to the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative to help develop a vaccine for the deadly disease.

I want to release the mosquitoes on a crowd of people.

[Drew Dowdell]

I want a gin and tonic

[Satty]

Isn't it a little early to be drinking?

[Drew Dowdell]

Isn't it a little early to be drinking?

Not if it's a gin and tonic in a swarm of malaria infected mosquitos.

[Sixty8panther]

It would be even funnier if he said that he

infected all the high-class prostitutes in

Washington D.C. with the 'Hiv.

"Every time a Blackberry rings a politician gets AIDS!"

[daves87rs]

That's really funny..bet he pissed a few people off....

[PurdueGuy]

glass full of mosquitoes in probably a HUGE lecture hall is NOT a "swarm". I doubt more than 1-2 people got bit. A quick google reveals that they live 10-20 days, and since these are already alive (not just hatching), then they are already partway through that. Add in large periods of time where there will be no food, a potential for some cold temperatures when the auditorium isn't being used, a lack of water for the most part, etc, and I bet those mosquitoes will be all dead & have little to no chance at reproduction.

It's certainly a "shocking" illustration, but when it comes down to it, it's not that big of a deal.

Edited February 5, 2009 by PurdueGuy

[Oracle of Delphi]

Somebody give Bill Gates a job, he seems bored ...

[daves87rs]

Yep.

[Enzora]

Sounds like Bill Gates is getting an Old Testament God complex.

[capriceman]

Its a effective way of making a point