The TED Blog asked TED@PalmSprings attendees for their closing thoughts as we move into this year’s final two sessions.

“The talks inspire me, as they always do. But the community is really what’s inspired me. I’ve been to a lot of design industry conferences and events, and my biggest frustration is finding open community and a really good open conversation. And the conversation here is so easy. It gets to the good stuff immediately.” — Christopher Everett

“It’s my fourth TED. I was at Aspen last year. I was at Monterey the year before. Each year it seems to surpass itself. You never know what you’re going to enjoy most. You go through the program, things catch your eye. But then you’re just astonished by something you thought you didn’t have an interest in. It’s marvelous, in a time of economic gloom and global uncertainty to come to an event that’s so full of optimism, creativity and good will.” — Kevin Horgan

“My reaction today is that the universe is such a beautiful and intricate and complicated and connected place, and everything I saw today brings me closer to that, inspires me to do something about it, and humbles me to see the kinds of things that other people are doing that are just so amazing.” — Mike Lundgren

“It boggles the mind the number and length of standing ovations in Palm Springs for speakers in Long Beach. They clearly can’t see or appreciate the gratitude. Yet the power of their ideas, talent, and passion compel the audience to stand and express their joy none the less.” — Greg Smitherman

“I’m leaving with a broader awareness of what’s going on in industries other than mine, and what’s on peoples’ minds. I’m getting a sense of what everyone has in common even though they’re in totally different fields. I’m just seeing how people have this passion about things that are about humanity.” — Mike Simonian

Photo: TED / Michael Brands