How do we create? As a writer, you'd think I'd have a better idea about that than I do. And I'm only more humbled by the creative process after this morning's panel on the subject.

Each presenter taught me something I didn't know, which isn't unusual here at TED. But, as I've felt after watching many other thoughtful and enlightening presentations during the past two days, I'm not quite sure what I'll do with that knowledge.

John Knoll, a visual effects "wizard," as he's called in the agenda, taught me that I will probably never watch a major motion picture in the same way again. Who knew that the ships in Pirates of the Caribbean weren't actually out at sea for most of the scenes in the film? In fact, most of them weren't actual ships at all.

I knew, I suppose, on some level that I kept comfortably buried inside me while watching the films. But after seeing the amazing computer work that went into making the film, that's something I may never be able to suppress again.

Robert Lang taught me that origami can be fun, moving, and put to practical use. After learning the process that goes into creating a tiny roach or a large, scaly snake with simple folds, I'll never again be able to look at a single piece of paper without seeing its potential.

Yves Behar made me wish I knew more designers. I mean, let's face it. They are just cool people. Who wouldn't want one at their next dinner party?

Among his designs are the $100 XO laptop, a funky water bottle for Y Water, a new Bluetooth headset, the NYC condom, and the LED leaf lamp for Herman Miller. I might be able to learn origami or the computer program for visual effects, but I'm quite certain I could never design a laptop. Or a condom, for that matter.

I learned that the novelist Amy Tan is hilarious. TED prohibits speakers from selling their products or services during their speeches, but Tan's eloquent and entertaining talk made me want to add her collection to my bookshelf.

Finally, and perhaps most spectacularly, the head of MIT Media Lab's Hyperinstruments/Opera of the Future group managed to evoke more emotion from the audience than it's experienced since Jill Bolte Taylor's talk about her stroke two days ago. Todd Machover created a software program that lets anyone compose his own music. It's fun to see kids use it, but Machover knew how to really inspire this crowd.

Machover uses the technology with patients suffering from mental disorders, and he brought to the stage with him Dan Ellsey, a 34-year old cerebral palsy patient, to demonstrate just how much potential can be unlocked with the right instruments. Ellsey performed an original song entitled "My Eagle Song" for the audience, which responded with a standing ovation as they wiped away their tears.

Ellsey is a true creative talent. It's something that, without the efforts of Machover, the world may never have known.

Humbling, indeed.

by Megan Barnett