Wrapping up today's around-the-clock blow-out-the-budget LIVE! coverage of Pop!Tech was a session called "The Creative Instinct."

Ah yes, something former English majors everywhere are searching for (and sometimes journalism majors).

Here's something cool - meet Pleo, the baby dinosaur that thinks...and wuvs you!

Before I get accused of shilling for the toy overlords, let's take a few steps back. Caleb Chung, the man who created Furby (ah yes, how could we forget you Furby), is the man behind this new thinking, walking and grunting creation.

Chung has had a long strange journey, that took him from toy manufacturing for the likes of Mattel, to minor acting, and eventually boatloads of money thanks to a talking, emoting furry gremlin.

Chung said creating toys to him is a combination of beauty and magic, or in this case, art and science. These days when so many toys are mass produced in faceless factories (or in China, stealthily designed to kill...), Chung seems like a real, old-school toyman.

Pleo represents a lot more time, thinking and money (as much as $10 million over four years), but Chung said he feels that people need toys like it as something to show empathy.

Pleo also represents a new spin on the old "it walks! it talks!" toys. Pleo not only responds to the environment, but it learns.
The toy follows the three rules of robotics (not the ones from iRobot)
They must feel and convey emotion, be aware of themselves and their environment, and learn and change over time.

(Also, never kill humans)

Another interesting part of the creative innovation session was John Shearer, who is working to find ways to transmit energy wirelessly.

Shearer is the CEO of Powercast, a company that is trying to tackle big problems in small ways. The idea of transmitting enough energy to power lights or small devices would have been impossible a decade ago, but now is a little more realistic thanks to the growth of the wireless industry.

The company's not aiming big with this, they don't want to power homes, city blocks or industrial plants, but instead the small stuff. Transmitting enough energy to keep a house running is more than a little dangerous, so they're going low power, enough to say, power gadgets like your cell phone, PDA, camera batteries or even Christmas lights.

That's about it tonight, things are wrapping up, people are heading out and I could use either some caffeine, or perhaps, a drink - because that is what people at conferences do.

Hope you guys have been enjoying all the updates.

A few quick notes:

Please check out the new podcast, which is up and ready for your listening enjoyment. This week we take a look at the new production from Add Verb Productions, "When Turtles Make Love," which is part of the the Real Life. Real Talk. campaign

I got to hang around at a recent practice and talk to the cast and crew about the production and why its just so hard to talk about sex.

It should be no coincidence that this is the first podcast with the "viewer discretion is advised" label.

Lastly, and I know this is short notice, but if you've got time tonight head over to One City Center for the Portland Music Foundation's open house/coming out party. They're looking to get the word out about the foundation, how to join, and the benefits of membership. Should be a good time as plenty of musicians and artists will be in attendance. If you're in a band, thinking about being in a band or like music, check it out. The shindig is going on until 9 p.m.

That's about it for me, oh wait, here's something good to know: a parting note from Pop!Tech curator Andrew Zolli - Tomorrow morning there'll be yoga at 6:45 a.m.

Yeah. I'm all about that.

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