- Debate over the NIH-funded H5N1 “gain-of-function” influenza study: participants argue that the research (identifying mutations that increase transmissibility) is being used to justify censorship, note that ferret models are poor predictors of human pathogenicity, and point out that the 1918 H1N1 sequence is already public.

- Concern that “amateurs = terrorists” rhetoric is being deployed to restrict open scientific knowledge; chemistry textbooks and open data are cited as precedents for unrestricted access.

- Assertion that natural viral mutation poses a greater threat than deliberate engineering, and that defensive countermeasures (vaccines, surveillance) should be prioritized over secrecy.

- Skepticism within the DIYbio community that virus engineering is “too hard” for motivated individuals; observation that multi-million-dollar budgets are not uncommon among hobbyists.

- Links shared:  
  – Keyboard-shortcut libraries for web apps (Keymaster.js, keyboard.backbone.js).  
  – In-browser Org-mode viewer (yata.in/docview/r/4ed70c031a7ba32edb000002) and Android sync tool MobileOrg.  
  – Ottawa Citizen article on Canadian H5N1 vaccine clinical trials; request for underlying patent.  
  – Visual résumé generator vizualize.me.

- Autodesk acquisition history clarified: VisualTAO (AutoCAD WS) purchased in 2009; confusion over whether Autodesk also acquired Instructables.

- Discussion of Google Trends-style plots showing cyclical search spikes for programming terms, interpreted as academic-calendar effects.