# Key Points from IRC Log (August 31, 2011)

* A discussion about mind uploading focused on using uploaded consciousness as a tool for self-improvement and optimization rather than merely for preservation, with suggestions to consult researchers Anders Sandberg or Randal Koene on this topic.

* Users shared and discussed a link about aquaponics (http://twaquaponics.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-post_31.html) which appears to be related to a "water liberation prize."

* The conversation touched on various transhumanist information sources, including LessWrong, Imminst (Immortality Institute), and Reddit's r/transhumanism subreddit.

* A user expressed interest in discussing "big data" and mentioned Strata New York, likely referring to the O'Reilly data conference.

* There was a brief critical discussion about "Terasem" (misspelled as "tarasem" in the log), questioning whether it was a legitimate movement or primarily driven by a single individual.