# Key Points from IRC Discussion on Transhumanist Technologies

• Molecular nanotechnology (MNT) was a central topic, with participants expressing concern about declining interest in mechanosynthesis despite ongoing work by Zyvex, Freitas, and Merkle, while debating whether protein engineering might be more practical than carbon-based mechanosynthesis in the near term.

• The NanoEngineer software was criticized for architectural problems, particularly the lack of separation between GUI and core functionality, with suggestions to split it into separate Python modules to make it more useful for molecular engineering applications.

• Advanced visualization technologies were discussed, including a contact lens display with microlens array technology that raised questions about how such a device could properly focus when placed directly on the eye.

• DNA origami was highlighted as a promising approach for creating nanoscale structures, with participants sharing a recent breakthrough in creating artificial ion channels using this technique.

• The Anton supercomputer was discussed as a specialized ASIC-based machine for molecular dynamics simulations that could potentially aid protein design through efficient computation of electrostatic and van der Waals interactions.

• Participants debated platforms for knowledge sharing in the MNT community, with strong preferences expressed for wikis over forums, and lamented the lack of centralized, accessible repositories for nanotechnology research materials.

• Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) safety was briefly discussed, along with mentions of optogenetics resources and Anselm Levskaya's work in this field.