When you are issued a public challenge, you better go in firing on all cylinders. Especially if your last name happens to be Gates and that of your challenger, Zuckerberg.
The ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) ice bucket tag challenge is
taking over America, and when Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO at Facebook, nominated Bill Gates, co-founder, former chief executive and chairman of Microsoft, for the challenge, he gave him 24 hours.
If the challenge is not completed within 24 hours, one has to donate to the ALS Foundation. One can also choose to do both. The sole purpose of the challenge is to raise awareness about ALS - a neurodegenerative nerve disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.
"I'm always up for a challenge," Mr Gates wrote underneath a video clip on his Facebook page that showed the world how one tech genius goes about things when challenged by another tech genius.
The man who created Microsoft wasn't going to simply dump a bucket of freezing water on his head, oh no. The 58-year-old seated himself at a work desk in a garden, and decided to do it "better". He sketched a design for the perfect drenching machine and even built a working mini model out of wood and paper. "It's going to be great," he declared after he approved it.
He then donned a welder's mask to put finishing touches to the real set-up. Before drenching himself in ice cold water, he extended the challenge to three other celebrities - Elon Musk of Tesla, Chris Anderson of TED, and American Idol host Ryan Seacrest. Will they be able to outdo Mr Gates? They will have to try very hard.
For now, watch the smartest way to pour water over your head:
Apple CEO Tim Cook had only 3 minutes left to finish the challenge, when he decided to donate as well as take the ice. He passed the challenge on to - founder and CEO of Beats Electronics Dr Dre, CEO of Disney Bob Iger and recording artist Michael Franti (who had to finish the challenge on the spot). Ice, Ice baby:
Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin also followed suit. "Felt worse than I expected," Brin confessed:
Former CEO of Microsoft Steve Ballmer was challenged by a Microsoft employee as well. He did it with unbelievable ease (OMG!):
The ice bucket challenge continues to gain momentum, and Oprah Winfrey is expected to join the list soon.