# Key Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion

• The Pirate Party in Sweden achieved significant political influence beyond their numbers (nearly 10% in EU Parliament elections), helping block legislation like HADOPI and providing infrastructure support for WikiLeaks.

• Kanzure described development of a CAD engine combining Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) and NURBS, addressing a significant gap in open-source design tools.

• Multiple brain-computer interface projects were discussed, including a fundraising effort to acquire Emotiv EPOC hardware for hacking purposes and development of a 32-channel OpenEEG device.

• Participants debated space colonization as protection against extinction events, with technical discussions about lunar manufacturing capabilities and the challenges of reproduction in low gravity environments.

• A NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts report on self-replicating lunar factories was analyzed, with proposals for a 500kg lunar replicator seed and discussions about using lunar materials to create superconductors in permanently shadowed regions.

• NASA's Project-M was evaluated, focusing on methane-powered landers and humanoid robots for lunar exploration, with debates about power sources and technical feasibility.

• The group discussed electromagnetic launchers for space applications, with divided opinions on their practicality compared to other approaches.