- Atomic Machines (Berkeley-based startup) claims to be pursuing atomically-precise manufacturing (APM) but its MIT dissertation-derived process currently achieves only 10 µm feature sizes via “multi-lamina assembly of laser-micromachined laminates,” leaving a ~10⁵ scale gap to true atomic precision.  
- Participants debated whether the APM branding is a fundraising narrative or a genuine long-term roadmap; cheaper, faster, fully-automated MEMS fabrication for mobile-device sensors is viewed as the nearer-term, fundable value proposition.  
- MEMS cost and durability were highlighted as the main barriers to large-area applications such as “moving-sidewalk” surfaces or shoe-based powered skating using arrays of piezo inchworm actuators; skin oils and sheer part count make practical deployment unlikely at current prices.  
- Ethereum’s planned “quick merge” from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake triggered discussion of miner backlash and the risk of a 51 % attack; comparison was made to the Tradecraft/Freicoin merge-mining rollout, whose developers secured miner buy-in beforehand.  
- A Springer paper invoking “gravitomagnetism” (frame-dragging) to explain galactic rotation curves was dismissed as internally inconsistent by some, while another participant reported an independent, non-GR derivation supporting the gravitomagnetic term.  
- An anecdote was shared about an acquaintance founding a company around programmable VR environments after receiving early notes on the concept, prompting reflection on idea-sharing risks and a reference to the historical Croquet Project as prior art in programmable virtual worlds.