Bill Gates Talk at TED

Bill Gates How I'm trying to change the world....

It seems as if one can embed, but it just doesn't show up.

It's an interesting talk. A couple of points -

Gates talks about malaria and the use of DDT. It has been shown that DDE and DDT have some undesired effects and toxicity.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDT#Effects_on_human_health
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDT#Criticism_of_restrictions_on_DDT_use

Then there is the issue of good teachers vs bad teachers. No doubt it has importance, so does good healthy food at schools. I'm reminded by a TV show here, comparing the performance of Finnish students to Danish students. It turns out Finnish schools have some food programs that ensure students have the necessary raw materials.

Sometimes low-level solutions exist (good food, not just good teachers). Sometimes not (a chemical solution with its own problems and toxicity).

exoteric said:

It's an interesting talk. A couple of points -

Gates talks about malaria and the use of DDT. It has been shown that DDE and DDT have some undesired effects and toxicity.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDT#Effects_on_human_health
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDT#Criticism_of_restrictions_on_DDT_use

Then there is the issue of good teachers vs bad teachers. No doubt it has importance, so does good healthy food at schools. I'm reminded by a TV show here, comparing the performance of Finnish students to Danish students. It turns out Finnish schools have some food programs that ensure students have the necessary raw materials.

Sometimes low-level solutions exist (good food, not just good teachers). Sometimes not (a chemical solution with its own problems and toxicity).

Bass said:

exoteric said:

*snip*

Malaria is such a bad disease that any risks of using DDT is greatly outweighed by the prospect of reducing malaria outbreak.

CreamFilling512 said:

Bass said:

*snip*

True and in poor countries they can't afford have the luxury of an FDA or WHO whining that something might have health risks, either they use it or people die.  Especially when the UN tries to strong-arm these countries into banning it by taking away aid.

http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

"olé !" to Bill Gates and any one ells who attempts at making a difference.

I was pretty impressed - I've found Bill's keynotes to be a bit well, um, boring in the past, even when he was talking about things I was interested in.This was much better.
It shows what a difference it makes to talk about something you really care about.
It was also quite subversive. I like that

PS. Malaria is a good reason to worry now about global warming: the nasty little carriers are increasing their range as the climate warms. Dengue fever is already getting close to us here.

I really think good teacher and bad teacher cannot be measured. I believe everyone has a role to this world, whether it is a gardener or a scientiest. Our economy requires a healthy mix of edcucation levels and job opprotunities. What's happening is that it is no longer balanced after everything is "recommended" to out source with tax cut.

Good teacher and bad teacher? I would say the ones that I respect the most is not the one who offers better knowledge about the subject, but some casual suggestions that show me the right diection where I should be heading. I don't care if someone failed at the subject. I care if the teacher can motivate students to have a dream or purpose. This is something no one can measure.

Better education mostly provides smarter zombies, not dreamers. Without American Dreams, US will lose its edge.

magicalclick said:

I really think good teacher and bad teacher cannot be measured. I believe everyone has a role to this world, whether it is a gardener or a scientiest. Our economy requires a healthy mix of edcucation levels and job opprotunities. What's happening is that it is no longer balanced after everything is "recommended" to out source with tax cut.

Good teacher and bad teacher? I would say the ones that I respect the most is not the one who offers better knowledge about the subject, but some casual suggestions that show me the right diection where I should be heading. I don't care if someone failed at the subject. I care if the teacher can motivate students to have a dream or purpose. This is something no one can measure.

Better education mostly provides smarter zombies, not dreamers. Without American Dreams, US will lose its edge.