- SciCast, a 2011 Robin Hanson–initiated prediction market for scientific questions, achieved 85 % accuracy versus an uninformed baseline, demonstrating the viability of forecasting platforms for research outcomes (Nature news article shared).  
- Discussion of whether Paul Sztorc should write about using prediction markets or credit-rating-style mechanisms to fund high-risk science, despite skepticism toward Hanson’s “gambling” framing.  
- kanzure reported that Hanson himself conceded prediction markets do little to improve funding of risky science, based on a conversation in Milan.  
- Links to cryptographic transparency tools: RFC 6962, Merkle-tree consistency proofs, and the new Mimblewimble blockchain implementation “Grin” (GitHub repo highlighted).  
- Security alert: CVE-2016-5195 (“Dirty COW”) local privilege-escalation vulnerability allowing unauthorized file overwrites (LWN and Hacker News references).  
- Curated resources circulated: Asimov Institute’s “Neural Network Zoo” poster and a GitHub roadmap of essential deep-learning papers for systematic reading.  
- Pop-culture cross-overs noted: NBC developing a CRISPR-themed bioterror drama produced by Jennifer Lopez, and concept art (François Baranger) depicting a glowing biolab circulated as visual inspiration.