# Key Points from IRC Log

• A discussion on motor efficiency and volume took place, with archels noting that "motor efficiency also increases with volume."

• Two scientific papers were shared via paperbot: one on brain research (doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2007.02.093) and another from Nature Communications (doi:10.1038/ncomms1518).

• Kanzure shared a GitHub repository for "RiftSketch," an HTML5 live-coding environment for Oculus Rift (https://github.com/brianpeiris/RiftSketch), with an accompanying YouTube demonstration.

• An article on the extropian roots of Bitcoin was shared (https://www.cryptocoinsnews.com/extropian-roots-bitcoin/), highlighting connections between cryptocurrency and transhumanist philosophy.

• Detailed discussion about neural recording technology took place, specifically about NeuroNexus Matrix arrays that can be configured with up to 256 contacts for brain activity recording, with comments about the technology's limitations in targeting deeper brain structures.

• Jamie Tyler's ultrasonic neural stimulation was mentioned, with reports that he "tried the transducer on himself and passed out," though some researchers remain skeptical about its effectiveness.

• A 3D-printable smartphone microscope was shared (http://www.3ders.org/articles/20140917-now-you-can-3d-print-your-own-smartphone-microscope-for-pennies.html), which uses glass beads for magnification and costs around $25 for materials to create up to 150 microscopes.

• Discussion of optogenetic stimulation in primates noted challenges, with one participant mentioning that "there's only one paper that succeeded in doing that consistently in primates with opto, and only at 1 out of 6 stimulation sites."