Any longtime reader of Anne of Carversville knows that I love TED Talks. We have a very special relationship, one that inspires me to curl up regularly with my guy, for a cosy Carversville fireside chat. TED gives me a little downtime, so to speak.

I knew about Bill Gates and his jar of mosquitos this week.

The country may have been focused on tainted peanut butter products being fed to the mouths of American babies by a business that could care less, but Gates was focused on his and Melinda’sglobal campaign to eradicate malaria.

His view that global problems are American problems isn’t shared by all of us. The most delightful man I dined with Friday evening, believes that Gates should spend his money in America.

Civilized people can disagree, but I explained that I’m convinced that the world will just go up in smoke, if we don’t all get in the same boat and start rowing.

It’s this “silo thinking” that Gates attacks in his TED Talk.

A Daring Misdeed

Bill Gates opened his jar of mosquitos at the antsy TED Talks audience. This group of brilliant stargazing optimists is the last bastion thinking they would be part of such an experiment, but Bill had them squirming in their seats anyway.

Of course, those mosquitos flying overhead were nontainted mosquitos . . right? Gates has no sadistic side … right? After all, the guy has enough money to buy his way out of jail … right?

Bill assures us that we’re safe. But not for long. He and buddy Warren Buffet are on my side of this argument. Beyond the moral ethics of Slumdog Life and global poverty, there’s the practical side of the topic … the spillover effect.

If you don’t agree with the statement “All Lives Have Equal Value”, announced on the landing page of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation website. then consider the Code Red scenario, where none of us are safe in tomorrow’s world.

We’re just betting men and women, playing with a “when then” timebomb. It’s mental masturbation to folks like Bill, Melinda and Warren.

If smart is the new sexy, then Gates is our man. Enjoy his show … and do beware of flying objects overhead. Be safe.

A thousand kisses. A