Microsoft founder Bill Gates performed the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in his techie style by engineering a new way of pouring a bucket full of ice over his head.
After being challenged by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Gates recorded a 90-second video showing the entire episode. He gave a technological twist to the task that did not involve lifting the bucket to soak him wet in ice water.
In the video posted online, Gates is shown watching Zuckerberg's video of performing the task in his laptop. Gates promptly accepts the challenge, but suggests doing it in a "better" way. After getting the final blue prints of his idea, Gates shows a demonstration of how to perform the task with a tiny model. Then, Gates is shown putting some finishing touches to his final model and readily stands in position to do the task.
Just before taking the shot, Gates challenges three people - Elon Musk, TED conference curator Chris Anderson and Ryan Seacrest - for the ALS Ice Bucket challenge. Gates pulls a rope and the bucket above him turns upside down pouring the chilled water on him.
Now, Musk, Anderson and Seacrest have 24 hours to do the task or donate to the ALS Association, a non-profit organization fighting the deadly neurodegenerative disease or do both. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's Disease attacks the brain and spinal cord, resulting in eye movement impairment, difficulty in swallowing, speaking and breathing. The fatal disease has no cure and the foundation works towards raising awareness and finding a cure.
As a result of the ALS Ice Bucket challenge, which has attracted renowned public figures like Apple CEO Tim Cook, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella among many others, the foundation has raised $9.5 million. Last year during the same period, only $1.6 million funds was raised.
"We're heartened that the momentum of this incredible visibility continues," Barbara Newhouse, President and CEO of The ALS Association, said in a press release, Friday. "We are so thankful for the generous outpouring of donations and people's interest in learning more about ALS."
The strategy is clearly working for a good cause.
