- MIT OpenCourseWare was surveyed for neuroscience audio classes; only a tangential “neuroscience of behavior” lecture was found, highlighting the scarcity of open audio resources in that domain.  
- Anselm posted on the DIYbio list about “fast-acting transcriptional regulation by light-responsive elements,” prompting discussion of a proposed “writozyme” concept that had previously been explained to him in multiple contexts.  
- Fenn outlined a concept for a high-resolution VR haptic suit made of hexagonal inflatable bladders; control would be achieved via a fractal micro-bladder array driven by light-addressed, phase-change microfluidic valves—potentially using modified LCD projectors or laser pointers for addressing.  
- The same VR thread explored alternative actuation schemes including thermo-responsive hydrogel valves, phase-change wax micro-actuators, and piezo-driven lab-on-chip micro-valves, with emphasis on modular “comb” arrays to reduce wiring complexity.  
- SKDB (the open-source hardware design/assembly tool) was reported as dormant for months, prompting jokes about its demise and brief discussion of using SMS-based, location-aware instructions for distributed SKDB builds.  
- Kanzure announced venture funding for an iPhone app (video demo linked) and complained that the investor expected 10-hour workdays with a mandatory 2 hours of meetings daily—sparking debate on efficient startup culture.  
- A side discussion covered the lack of Django-based auction-site packages and the difficulty of integrating Google Checkout for a custom auction platform, noting eBay’s antiquated interface as motivation for alternatives.  
- Practical hardware notes: Dave Rauchwerk’s nearby machine shop (with a working Bridgeport mill) is planning DIYbio kits; Dr. Treadwell owns an early MakerBot (#7); surplus ballscrews were acquired for an unspecified project.  
- Fenn requested shell access on bkero’s servers for low-latency compute tasks like toolpath generation, illustrating ongoing needs for shared hacker infrastructure.