- A new paper proposes an “ant routing algorithm” for the Lightning Network that uses pheromone-inspired multi-hop locks to improve path-finding and privacy; links to the arXiv preprint (1807.00151) and a Building-on-Bitcoin transcript are shared.  
- A Scaling Bitcoin Tokyo 2018 call for submissions is briefly reopened, giving researchers ~24 hours to submit talks on Bitcoin scalability.  
- A Nature Scientific Reports article shows parrots evolved a primate-like telencephalic-midbrain-cerebellar circuit and an avian nidopallium functionally analogous to the neocortex, prompting discussion on why large human brains might still be advantageous.  
- A preprint titled “Life versus dark energy” explores how an advanced civilization could counteract cosmic acceleration; a Technology Review piece popularizes the concept.  
- Slate Star Codex’s “Dissolving the Fermi Paradox” post is circulated, arguing that parameter uncertainty—not absence of aliens—explains the Great Silence.  
- Watchtower wire-message formats for the Lightning Network (lnd PR #1512) are noted as a step toward safer offline-channel monitoring.  
- Anki long-term-memory optimization guide (augmentingcognition.com/ltm.html) is linked for spaced-repetition enthusiasts.  
- Hypothetical non-carbon biochemistries are briefly surveyed via the Wikipedia page on alternative biochemistries.  
- Anecdotal claims that psychopaths experience MDMA as a pure stimulant rather than an empathogen are mentioned, with a request for further reading.