• The Form-1 Kickstarter SLA printer was rejected by the channel as non-open-source, while MakerBot’s Replicator 2 launch was condemned for the same reason, sparking debate over whether its designs were sufficiently derivative of GPL-licensed RepRap to create a licensing conflict and discussion of the reputational damage to the open-hardware community.

• Zach “Hoeken” Smith was characterized as the technical founder (the “Wozniak”) of MakerBot, whereas Bre Pettis was framed as the business-oriented “Jobs” who marginalized Zach and drove the closed-source pivot.

• Participants concluded that fully self-replicating 3-D printers remain impractical because current extrusion technology cannot print motors or precision metal parts; partial self-replication is the only near-term realistic goal.

• A trove of early mechanosynthesis research from Zyvex—covering diamondoid CAD, exponential assembly, and molecular bearing designs—was shared as foundational road-maps for atomically precise manufacturing.

• NASA’s SpiderFab concept for on-orbit robotic construction of kilometer-scale space apertures was highlighted, alongside Chris Phoenix’s hypothesis that the Cambrian explosion was driven by the evolutionary invention of irreversible cellular differentiation.

• The 2012 review paper “Challenges for Brain Emulation – why is it so difficult” was circulated; archels noted his neuron simulations currently run ~2 million times slower than real time.

• kanzure posted a UV-resistance protein sequence (NCBI: 406780405) that could fit on a plasmid, prompting brief discussion of cloning feasibility.

• The diyhpluswiki was updated with candidate gene targets for open-source human genetic modification: LRP5 (extra-strong bones), PCSK5 (88 % lower coronary-disease risk), FUT2 (stomach-flu resistance), CCR5 (HIV resistance), and lactase-persistence variants.

• Sens Foundation reportedly lost senior scientist Gouri to another organization, leaving the institute with “more management than scientists” and raising doubts about research continuity.

• Community pointers were shared for DIY neuroscience (comp-neuro mailing list), life-extension research (GRG), and general transhumanist discussion (DIYbio), while the Open Hardware Summit 2012 live stream and photo set were circulated.