• A BodyMedia armband was successfully activated without a subscription, demonstrating continued interest in open-source health-tracking hardware.  
• Discussion of open-access science: 8,200 researchers signed a petition to pressure journals into open-access policies, and PyCon 2012 hosted an open-science track; NumFOCUS was highlighted as a vehicle for donating to NumPy/SciPy development.  
• New Brainbow/Confetti fluorescence-imaging results were shared, showing multicolor labeling of mouse tongue muscle fibers and liver cells.  
• Mike Treder, former IEET managing director, was reported missing in Detroit, prompting concern in the channel.  
• Ray Kurzweil’s speaking fee was cited at $35–50 k/hour, with debate over whether he discounts or waives fees for smaller events.  
• A White House executive order on “National Defense Resources Preparedness” was flagged for allowing unpaid federal conscription and broad resource requisition powers.  
• Android kernel patches are being merged back into mainline Linux, potentially improving future open-source mobile bio-/neuro-interfaces.  
• Philosophical debate on embodiment and transhumanism: arguments for gradual mind uploading versus purely biological enhancement, plus a proposed “Futurist Political Compass” mapping transhumanist vs. primitivist and pastoral vs. anti-pastoral axes.