# Key Points from Transhumanist IRC Discussion

• Existential risk estimates were discussed, with one speaker citing a 12% chance before the end of the century and 50% before 2500, alongside mentions of Randall Koene's efforts to update the whole brain emulation roadmap through carboncopies.org.

• Participants debated unusual light patterns from star KIC 8462852, referencing an arxiv paper that sparked discussion about potential artificial megastructures, though technical analysis suggested the observations don't match expected Dyson swarm characteristics.

• BioViva CEO Liz Parrish was discussed for reportedly undergoing experimental gene therapy targeting telomerase reverse transcriptase and follistatin genes, representing a notable case of self-experimentation in longevity research.

• Several members critiqued transhumanist conference culture, warning of the "failure mode" where intellectuals spend time discussing the future without taking concrete action, suggesting a disconnect between theoretical transhumanism and practical implementation.

• Technical discussions covered advanced DNA synthesis technologies, referencing Church's 2014 paper on large-scale de novo DNA synthesis, and Freescale's RF Sage technology for microwave cooking using phase-locked multiple sources.

• The group explored selective breeding experiments, including a 64-generation "angry rat" project selecting for human-directed aggression, and discussions about breeding for cryonics adaptation and intelligence in animals.

• Participants noted interesting cases of "accidental uplift" in urban animals like raccoons and foxes, suggesting that city environments may be selecting for higher cognitive abilities compared to their forest-dwelling counterparts.