# Key Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion

• The channel discussed practical DIY technologies, including paper airplane design with virtual wind tunnel testing tools (http://raphael.mit.edu/Java/) and solar water disinfection (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_water_disinfection), showing interest in accessible innovation.

• A proposed bill for establishing a national fab lab network in the US (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-6003) was examined, which would create approximately 438 fab labs nationwide, potentially democratizing access to manufacturing technology.

• Participants debated the Semantic Web's viability, with critics arguing it requires specialized coding rather than leveraging machine learning to extract meaning from existing content formats.

• A substantive discussion on intellectual property in biotech contexts revealed tensions between open innovation principles and commercial viability, with kanzure arguing against patents while others noted investor requirements for IP protection.

• The conversation addressed prosthetics as transhumanist technology, noting that current brain-computer interfaces aren't yet advanced enough to make prosthetics desirable for non-disabled individuals.

• Ray Kurzweil's ongoing work was highlighted, particularly his continued development of technologies for the blind (http://www.knfbreader.com/) and text-to-speech systems.

• The group explored philosophical questions about life extension, including whether access to indefinite lifespan technologies should be considered a human right if such technology becomes feasible.

• BioCurious, a community biotechnology hackerspace, was mentioned as nearing the end of its Kickstarter funding campaign, representing grassroots infrastructure for biohacking.