The morning got off on an artistic note and included Ed Ulbrich who showed some dazzling film special effects from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love wooed the audience with an “a cappella” (read: no slide support) walk-through of her creative process while Margaret Wertheim amazed people with her crocheted great barrier reef art installation, which strangely and coincidentally unlocked mathematical secrets. Later Daniel Libeskind took us through a juxtaposed architectural vision and thoughts behind the new Freedom Tower. Shai Agassi who abruptly left SAP to follow a vision on shifting the world to non-petroleum transportation showcased his recent partnerships with both Renault-Nissan and various governments. Sarah Jones brought her multiple personalities to the stage and entertained everyone while poking a little fun at highbrow TEDsters.

Later in the day, TED 2009 Prize Winner Jill Tarter, introduced remotely by Sir Richard Branson and Al Gore, asked everyone to collaboratively find extraterrestrials which was actually rather well received. Sylvia Earle who is collaborating with Google Earth to map the world’s oceans gave everyone a good scare showing that fish populations have been depleted by 90% because of pollution and commercial fishing since 1900. Between Jeremy Piven’s mercury poisoning and this revelation I am going to reduce my sushi intake starting today. Accordingly she asked all of us to ignite public support for a global network of protected marine areas. The response was overwhelming. Jose Antonio Abreu in Caracas who created El Sistema and helped musically inspire impoverished children and bring them out of poverty also received acknowledgment today.

So while the elbow rubbing and hob-knobbing continues, there is clearly an underlying level of tension on the many global crises that exist right now. The good news is that the TED community is pretty powerful and may just figure out how to crack the code on some of these enormous issues

The fashion world is changing. The ethics of where and how clothes of made have become just as important as the color and the shape. Our friends at Apolis Activism have taken a strong approach to making some remarkable clothing while keeping their values of ethically made clothing at hand. Three brothers with a very impressive collection of passport stamps started the Apolis Activism label and have quickly developed it into a very impressive line of men’s clothing.

We caught up with the three brothers that make up Apolis Activism just before the release of their new Spring/Summer line. Have a read after the jump (including some nice new pictures from S/S ‘09).

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Mr. and Mrs. Smith aren’t just hot onscreen assassins who happened to be married to each other. They’re also an agency that specializes in showcasing sexy, couple-friendly boutique and luxury hotels with the rest of us via their guides. Whether you want to enjoy five wild nights in Amsterdam or a relaxing, sensual trip in the Berkshires, these know-it-alls can hook you up. And now, in addition to their indispensable online presence, they’ve published a gorgeous 360-page coffee-table book, The Global Shortlist, featuring their favorite spots to stay. The book comes with reviews of the world-class destinations from Dita Von Teese and Agent Provocateur’s creator. And for an added bonus: a one-year membership to the site. Rarr.

There are plenty games from the 70s and 80s that we all remember: Pac-Man, Galaga, Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros… But there are also plenty you don’t. And for good reason. If you want to take a trip down reject lane, cruise on over to indie game designer Jason Cirillo’s blog and check out Bit Museum, an online show where this resident dork shares his knowledge on forgotten game systems, games, and other useless trivia. If the 70s feel like they were yesterday you’ll get a kick out of remembering these relics. If they don’t, you’ll wonder why the graphics were so awful and go back to playing Call of Duty.

Electrolux, makers of fine vaccums and other home appliances for about 90 years have just announced their seventh global Design Lab Competition. The 2009 contest’s theme is “design for the next 90 years”, a call for creative students to submit their ideas on the future look of appliances. In addition to making something that looks sweet, entrants must take into account lifestyle and eco trends. So, if you’ve got an innovative idea on the evolution dishwashers, washing machines, or refrigerators, don’t be shy. The deadline is May 31st. Finalists will have the chance to present their entries before a jury of design bigwigs at the decisive event in late September. We’ll cross our fingers that you’re among them.

We have no idea yet whether or not Watchmen will be as appetizing as The Dark Knight or as revolting as Catwoman. But we do know is that it’s directed by 300’s Zack Snyder, so it has a fighting chance at being great. The film, based on the comic created by writer Alan Moore (who also published the super-dirty comic Lost Girls) and artist Dave Gibbons and set in an alternative 1985 where Nixon is still President, the U.S. is on the verge of going into nuclear war with the U.S.S.R. and superheroes aren’t just part of our collective imagination. In advance of blockbuster’s release later this year, eerie illustrator Alex Pardee’s company Zerofriends is selling a Watchman-inspired print at this weekend’s New York Comicon.

For those of you on the West Coast, Pardee will be a part of The Art of Rebellion, a one-night-only group art show for Harley Davidson held this Saturday (2/7) night at the Robert Berman Gallery in Santa Monica. Other artists at the event include Shepard Fairey, Frank Kozik, and Tara McPherson.

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Ever dreamed of designing your own hoodie? Blame it on the credit crunch, but Champion is opening up its shop and letting you do the designing. They’ve come up with a super easy Hoodie Remix website to dream up your design. Customize major parts of the hoodie using a full color range, as well as some predefined patters. It’s mix and match from there. We pumped one out in five minutes (not pictured) and half that time was spent debating the zipper color. Here’s the huge bummer: you aren’t able to buy what you create. It’s a contest. The designs are submitted and, through the harsh judging of your peers, a few winners will be chosen. The contest ends March 31st so start entering or voting.