Bill Gates' mosquito stunt: What really happened at TED today |
Connect with TechFlash on our Facebook page for all the latest technology news headlines and commentary, plus information and access to special events, photos from events, promotions and more.
Today On Techflash
- Former Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson resigns from F5 board
- Microsoft rolls out facial recognition for Windows Kinect
- Startup of the Week: LocalBonus aims at 'buy local' movement
- Facebook's Zuckerberg No. 26 on billionaires' index
- Microsoft launches student-oriented social network, So.cl
- Amazon targets industrial supply market
- Microsoft rolls out facial recognition for Windows Kinect
- Startup of the Week: LocalBonus aims at 'buy local' movement
- Microsoft launches student-oriented social network, So.cl
- Amazon targets industrial supply market
- Former Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson resigns from F5 board
- Handbag rental service Avelle cuts staff
Mass High Tech
- Microsoft Build: Windows 8 preview a hit, but are investors unhappy?
- Build an app in a day at Mobile App Hackathon
- Beefed-up Skype for Windows; Indie author joins Amazon's 'Kindle Million Club'
- Only solution to Xbox 360 update error is new console
- Ballmer: Windows Phone update 'Mango' has over 500 new features
Bill Gates' mosquito stunt: What really happened at TED today
Yes, they were real. No, they didn't carry malaria. And they definitely didn't qualify as a swarm. But they sure did get a lot of attention.
That's the word from a reliable source after the Microsoft chairman set the tech world, ahem, abuzz by opening a jar of mosquitos at the TED conference today -- reportedly telling the crowd that not only poor people should experience the problem. We made a few calls and found out that the jar contained a relatively modest collection of mosquitoes: more than a few, but probably fewer than ten.
The dramatic move was meant to highlight the issue of malaria, which was one of two subjects of Gates' talk at the hip conference. (TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design.) Gates also spoke about education. For a good rundown, see this detailed blog post by Ethan Zuckerman. A video is also expected, and we'll link to it when it's available.
In the meantime, TED's Chris Anderson had the line of the day, saying that the headline for the talk should have been, "Gates releases more bugs to the world."
Update: Here's the video. Thanks to Benjamin for pointing it out below.
[Flickr photo: naturegirl 78]
If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.
TechFlash Team
Recent Sponsor Posts
Follow, like, and connect to a broader audience for your company!
The Puget Sound Business Journal announces Social Madness: A Corporate Social Media Challenge, presented by Capital One Spark Business. This a local and national challenge that will spotlight the best social media programs of companies in 43 cities. The local challenge begins (following the nomination period) on June 1, 2012. The promotion will culminate in a national bracket challenge that will crown Social Madness champions in 3 categories based on company size. To see the official rules, visit http://www.socialmadness.com/rules.
For more information on how your company can participate, visit the nomination page here. Nominations are due May 15th.
BizDev Seminar Series - Leadership: Rallying People to a Brighter Future
Join us for this one-of-a-kind seminar series where you hear directly from the experts about hot topics to grow your business.
The skills to be effective as a leader can be learned. What are the skills and attributes needed to be effective top leaders? How do you tell what level your people are at, and what development skills each person needs? Workshop attendees will learn the answers to these questions and more.
Tuesday, May 17, 2012
8:30am - 10:30am
The Harbor Club, Seattle
Register here.
