- A Nature paper (s41598-019-53042-3) was shared that documents neuroplasticity in a patient with extreme hydrocephalus whose cortical volume is only 7 % below normal, prompting discussion about whether such cases are imaging artifacts or genuine evidence of minimal-brain cognition.  
- Participants debated training GPT-2 on GitHub merge-request data (issue descriptions → diffs), noting that the entire codebase would have to be included as context; jrayhawk provided a Google search link showing existing GPT-2 code-autocompletion projects.  
- lsneff is sourcing inexpensive 4 k LCD panels (≈ $10–$20 for small units) to build a DIY light-field display using microlens arrays; 3-D-printed optics companies are being evaluated for fabricating 700 µm lenses to match 72 µm pixels.  
- kanzure linked a BBC Storyville documentary (“The Gene Revolution: Changing Human Nature”) and a ZeroHedge article on a U.S. congressional funding plan for stratospheric aerosol geoengineering (“Plan B” to cool Earth by spraying particles).  
- maaku and others reflected on personal motivations for transhumanism: fear of death, body-image issues, and the desire for fully reversible body modifications; kanzure cited early exposure via email lists (2006–2007) and a 2005 “productivity cult.”  
- Recent open-source milestones mentioned include the decompilation of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (github.com/n64decomp/majora) and the release of Tony Hawk’s Underground source code (github.com/thug1src/thug).