- The channel discussed the MtGox Bitcoin exchange hack, noting that leaked passwords included those of several regulars (nchaimov, bkero, elmom, atrus6, wware, Ian Daniher) and that transaction rollback caused the famous $0.01 price anomaly.  
- A DIY-keyboard Google Group (groups.google.com/group/diykeyboard) was highlighted as an example of open-source hardware development happening on GitHub without a unifying community.  
- FundingTrends.org was introduced as a new tool that maps global R&D spending; “stem cells” shows $2.4 T, “cancer” ~$70 T, and “EEG, nootropics” appear as searchable keywords.  
- The most-cited scientific paper of all time was identified as a 1951 Journal of Biological Chemistry article with ~300 k citations, dwarfing the well-known BLAST bioinformatics paper.  
- Bruce Schneier’s evolution from “encryption equals security” (pre-2003) to a broader security mindset was debated, alongside the rise of automated astroturfing and “social automation” suites.  
- A $20 tabletop plasma-focus device operating at record-low voltage was shared (IEEE Xplore 5539755), illustrating ultra-low-cost fusion research.