# Summary of #hplusroadmap IRC Log (March 16, 2014)

* A thought-provoking quote was shared: "By the end of this century, and quite possibly much sooner, every input device that has ever been sold will be obsolete," which sparked a brief discussion about technological obsolescence and infrastructure costs.

* An article about billionaires privatizing American science was shared (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/16/science/billionaires-with-big-ideas-are-privatizing-american-science.html), highlighting the growing trend of private funding in scientific research.

* A discussion about alternative funding models for science and entertainment included a proposal for a system where researchers would receive funds and be required to distribute a portion to other researchers they find promising, creating a prediction market alternative to traditional peer review.

* The "Microfactory" Kickstarter project was shared (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/327919589/the-microfactory-a-machine-shop-in-a-box), representing an innovation in accessible manufacturing technology.

* A blog post titled "The Automatic Corporation" was shared (http://blog.vivekhaldar.com/post/79843441901/the-automatic-corporation), exploring concepts related to automated business operations.

* Ireland's first biohackerspace in Cork was mentioned (http://www.indiebiotech.com/?p=240), indicating the spread of community biology labs to new regions.

* A discussion about military technology included skepticism about railguns being described as "permanent vaporware" with the suggestion that light gas guns might be more practical due to better scaling properties.