Who or what inspired you in creating the TEDTalks theme?
TED itself inspired me greatly. I tried to put the feelings that I retained from being at the conference into the music, the emotions that surround the idea of grappling with global modernity. This brought me to a compositional place of energy, complexity and anticipation.

Is this the first ringtone you’ve created? How do you feel about it?
I have created others for advertisers. But this is most special to me because it’s for TED, and for the enormous worldwide audience that the TEDTalks have reached.

What makes a great ringtone?
In this case, the music was meant to communicate that something very compelling is coming, and that it’s not about passive viewing, it’s a real call to action. Transfers nicely to an arriving phone call. Also, I hope it will start conversations with bystanders who recognize the theme and with those who don’t.

What ringtones are on your phone?
Standard iPhone. But now I’ve switched!

Do you think this ringtone could be likened to a poem? 
If the poem was being read by someone with a megaphone in front of an excited crowd, then yes.

What’s on your music playlist these days?
Peruvian folk songs, cellist Erik Friedlander, Toru Takemitsu, the soundtrack to the original Planet of the Apes by Jerry Goldsmith, lots more …

What are you reading?
Reading and rereading John Berger’s books. Very inspiring for me. He mixes art with politics. Right up my alley. Hold Everything Dear, Here Is Where We Meet, Pig Earth, Photocopies, etc.

He writes: “I almost fell off my chair when I saw the list of the “Top 10 People I should talk to at TED.” The TED secret algorithm said the No. 1 person I should talk to was “Joe Crump.”

Here’s the amazing part. My name is St. John, but my original name was “Crump.” Back in the 1980s, instead of getting married, my wife and I both changed our last names to St. John (my wife’s mother’s maiden name). And instead of calling me Richard, my father nicknamed me “Joe.”

So deep down I’m “Joe Crump” – and the number one person the TED secret algorithm said I should talk to was Joe Crump. Few people in the world know that. So another TED first – a psychic algorithm!” – Richard St. John (Joe Crump)

Nina Jablonski talked to us about skin. One thing we learned is that those with lots of melanin have to recognize that they have a lot of natural sun screen in their skin, which slows the process of making Vitamin D.

I had the opportunity to ask Nina some of the questions emailed in (to jane@ted.com) by audience members.

Carter Burwell, Long Beach
Q: As humans in Northern latitudes lost melanin to adapt to lower UVB, did they evolve better DNA repair mechanisms to deal with UVA?
Nina: No they didn’t, and this is a real problem in the causation of skin cancer.

Kyra Gaunt, Long Beach
Q: Do you think that climate change will or is affecting people with lots of melanin adversely?
Nina: No, climate change is the least of the problem in terms of skin. Much more serious is the problem that people with moderately to darkly pigmented skin are more at risk of vitamin D deficiency when they stay inside a lot, or wear concealing clothing. This is also a problem for people in general with indoor lifestyles and who wear a lot of sun screen. The important thing is to make sure you get vitamin D one way or another and the safest way is through your diet.

Christine Sciulli, Long Beach
Q: Is eating Vitamin D as good as synthesizing it from the sun?
Nina: Yes it is, provided that you eat a source of food or a supplement that contains Vitamin D3, which your body can easily convert into the active physiologically important form. Good foods include vitamin D enriched milk, oily fish, and vitamin D supplements.

Photo: Nina Jablonski at TED2009, Session 5: Understand, Feb. 5, 2009, Long Beach, CA Photo: TED / Asa Mathat

“I am watching TED 2009 live from Moscow and I am really excited about TED! Speakers, conference organization waaaay differs from conferences here in Russia! Keep up the good work and now I know whom to have as an example! Thanks a lot for TED Associate Program because I have a chance to spread “ideas worth spreading” here in Russia!” – Bayram Annakov

“I am making this world a better place, Thanks to TED.” – Salim Bamakhrama, UK

“TED means freedom of knowledge for a more livable and exciting world.” – Rodney Gypin, CA

“We love it. And after five years attending I’m finding it better to be away from the crew to spread the word. We need more in the Tribe.” – Scott Laine, New York City

“It is the place that matches me, and I match it, too. I like it.” – Veni Markosi, Long Beach

Brain food that sustains me and helps me nourish others. Inspiration and energy. Momentum – Mark Benerofe, Long Beach

Also, here is The Early Crew today in Sydney. For these guys, TED means looking surprisingly semi-alert at 3:00 AM:

And a radiantly cheerful Hello from Minnesota:

During the talk he read a poem written by one of his employees, Glenn Thomas, after Glenn heard Ray talk. Having received a number of emails asking for the text of that poem, here it is:

Tomorrow’s Child
© Glenn Thomas
Without a name; an unseen face
and knowing not your time nor place
Tomorrow’s Child, though yet unborn,
I met you first last Tuesday morn.

A wise friend introduced us two,
and through his sobering point of view
I saw a day that you would see;
a day for you, but not for me

Knowing you has changed my thinking,
for I never had an inkling
That perhaps the things I do
might someday, somehow, threaten you

Tomorrow’s Child, my daughter-son
I’m afraid I’ve just begun
To think of you and of your good,
Though always having known I should.

Begin I will to weigh the cost
of what I squander; what is lost
If ever I forget that you
will someday come to live here too.

Photo: TED / James Duncan Davidson

Note — you have to go in bottom first, then pull your legs in.

After his ride, Josh was beaming — he said it was an awesome ride, two miles around Long Beach. Along the way jaws dropped, policemen pulled over and pointed, pedestrians waved, looking thrilled and confused.

It’s not a car, it’s a vehicle.