- The Institute for the Future (IFTF) hosted a “Future of Open Fabrication / Future of Open Hardware” workshop; a full transcript was captured and posted at http://diyhpl.us/~bryan/irc/iftf_open_hardware_future_workshop.html.  
- Discussion surfaced skepticism about the Thing-o-Matic 3-D printer after an IFTF staff member’s disappointing build experience.  
- A participant asked whether an inductive charging coil could be wrapped around both a micro-motor and an AAAA battery; the consensus was that metal proximity and motor characteristics make this inadvisable.  
- Allegations of embezzlement and financial fraud within the Singularity Institute (SIAI) were raised, with participants noting the lack of public disclosure and questioning the broader non-profit ecosystem’s integrity.  
- Humanity+ was criticized for recent decisions; one participant announced withdrawal of support except as a potential funding source.  
- Kartik reportedly suggested that traditional “poverty and aid” non-profits have rarely been approached for open-source hardware funding, opening a possible new donor class.  
- OpenCourseWare and the OCW Consortium (http://www.ocwconsortium.org/) were shared as resources for free educational content.  
- Fight Aging’s post “To Die in Order to Live: Thoughts on Cryonics and Legal Hurdles” (http://www.fightaging.org/archives/2011/02/to-die-in-order-to-live-thoughts-on-cryonics-and-legal-hurdles.php) was circulated.  
- Plover, an open-source stenographic typing system promising 240 WPM “thought-to-text” speeds, was highlighted along with demo video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3MYFT6VZk8.  
- A Wall Street Journal front-page photo featuring Todd (likely related to BIL Conference) was noted, prompting surprise that even the participant’s grandmother had seen it.