- Lightning Network is impractical for very infrequent users (≈1 tx/2 months) because it requires an always-online node or a trusted watchtower to prevent counter-party fraud.  
- Bitcoin on-chain fees are debated: recent user-reported costs of $0.33–$1.11 are considered “outrageous” by some participants, driving interest in alternatives such as Litecoin or Ethereum.  
- Aster.org’s “Molecular Systems” program (backed by Jed McCaleb’s foundation) was highlighted as a new funding source; Adam Marblestone is noted as a research director though not currently listed on the team page.  
- A tongue-in-cheek discussion arose around intentionally inducing “silver poop” (normally a rare cancer symptom) for cosmetic novelty, with half-serious suggestions of ingesting gold or silver compounds.