# Key Points from the ##hplusroadmap IRC Conversation

• Researchers discussed a paper on modified Howland circuits as current generators, indicating interest in electrical circuit design for biological applications, alongside an FPGA implementation of a biological neural network based on the Hodgkin-Huxley model that achieved 150 neurons with real-time processing.

• Anders Sandberg's analysis of Jupiter-sized computational structures revealed that such a "Jupiter brain" would only have a relatively thin 1350-meter processing layer on the surface, with most of the interior dedicated to connections and cooling systems.

• Participants debated collaboration models for advancing technology, contrasting physical co-location of researchers (like Xerox PARC) with distributed internet-based collaboration, with some criticizing the "build it and they will come" approach to creating collaborative spaces.

• The DIY transhumanist declaration (http://diyhpl.us/wiki/declaration) was referenced, outlining principles for open-source approaches to transhumanist technologies, alongside discussion of FDA regulation of medical devices and the legality of DIY prosthetics.

• Technical discussions included slowing light in a vacuum (referencing a Science paper showing reduced group velocity), Bitcoin development (particularly Blockstream's contracthashtool), and troubleshooting Git version control issues.

• A security revelation about Silk Road showed that Ross Ulbricht implemented the site's currency hedging by connecting to Mt. Gox over clearnet rather than Tor, potentially exposing identifiable IP information.