- Andrew Hessel’s BIF Summit talk “When Biology Goes Digital” was shared, outlining visions for fully digitized biological design and manufacturing.  
- A UC Berkeley study reported that young-blood transfusions do not reverse aging in mice, although participants noted that some regenerative benefits on germ-layer derivatives still occur immediately after blood exchange.  
- A collection of fresh arXiv preprints was circulated, covering evolutionary game theory limits, phase-field simulations of embryonic lung branching, stochastic synaptic-membrane protein dynamics, attention-driven conflict suppression, and high-dimensional ecological complexity.  
- Discussion of speculative geo-engineering included using icebergs as stable platforms for deep-water oil-rig deployment, with a side reference to WWII “pykrete” (ice-and-wood pulp) airstrip proposals.  
- Links to 2016’s best SF/fantasy book lists and classic sci-fi films such as “Evolution” (2001) and “Island of Terror” (1966) were exchanged for their portrayals of rapid speciation and silicon-consuming organisms.  
- A 1957 film, “The Monolith Monsters,” was highlighted for its premise of a self-replicating silicate meteorite, resonating with recent research on silicon-carbon hybrid proteins.  
- Interest was expressed in inviting mycologist Paul Stamets to the channel, prompted by a page on leaf-cutter ant agriculture and coinciding with news that the upcoming “Star Trek: Discovery” will feature an astromycologist character named Lt. Stamets.