# Key Points from IRC Log

• The channel discussed NeuroML design in relation to uploading, noting that transhumanist researcher Anders Sandberg has shifted toward philosophy, which some viewed as moving away from more technical work.

• Participants explored alternative publication methods, including using predatory academic publishers and distributed p2p cryptosystems to circumvent traditional publication restrictions.

• There was a substantive update on Soylent meal replacement, covering bioavailability and caloric restriction benefits, with criticism of those dismissing it solely due to lack of FDA approval.

• The group debated open source hardware documentation approaches, contrasting Open Source Ecology's methods with Defense Distributed's "model and dump" approach versus more sophisticated version control systems.

• Members discussed Octopart's API for electronic component pricing, expressing concern about their new pay-as-you-go model limiting accessibility for open hardware projects.

• The conversation included cellular computational systems, with speculation about quantum computing's potential role in simulating cellular logic, though some viewed this connection as speculative.

• The Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence's rebranding to Machine Intelligence Research Institute (MIRI) was noted, with discussion about LessWrong community absorbing former SIAI followers.

• The group shared innovative medical technology, including repurposing DVD players for HIV blood testing, which was praised as "impressive" and "hacking at its finest."