# Key Points from IRC Discussions

• A high-resolution neuroanatomical resource called "Cognitive Consilience" was shared, featuring a 16384×12288 pixel diagram mapping brain structures and connections, accompanied by data files containing coordinates for information markers and publication references.

• Multiple papers on directed energy systems for asteroid defense were discussed, focusing on laser ablation techniques for asteroid deflection, de-spinning, and space debris mitigation from the UCSB Deep Space program.

• Researchers exchanged resources on DIY atomic force microscopy, including a collection of AFM papers and an Instructables guide for building a low-cost atomic force microscope, making advanced imaging technology more accessible.

• A significant discussion on metamaterial fabrication centered on the fiber drawing method, where centimeter-sized preforms with indium wires in polymer matrices are heated and drawn into fibers containing metal microwire arrays for terahertz imaging applications.

• Participants explored the potential of plastic fiber-based metamaterial fabrication as a relatively inexpensive approach for bootstrapping nanofactories, comparing its complexity favorably to that of RepRap 3D printers.

• Several papers on expanding civilizations at cosmological distances were shared, including "Homogeneous cosmology with aggressively expanding civilizations" and research on the visible size and geometry of such civilizations.

• An AGI blog post discussing thalamocortical architecture was shared along with GitHub repositories containing SVG diagrams of neural circuits, prompting discussion about the challenges of modeling complex brain structures.