# Key Points from IRC Discussion

• Google DeepMind's AlphaGo reached world champion level in the game of Go, representing a major AI milestone that surprised experts, with the AI reportedly jumping several hundred Elo ranking points to approximately "2pro dan" level.

• A philosophical debate occurred about whether game-playing AI represents meaningful progress, with kanzure arguing against "the conflation of algorithmic search for human-cortical information processing," raising questions about metrics for evaluating AI advancement.

• Several open-source CAD software options were discussed, with recommendations for BRLCAD (stability), VerbNURBS (surface-level work), and SolveSpace as alternatives to FreeCAD, which was described as feature-rich but crash-prone.

• The channel discussed CRISPR technology, sharing a target search tool (crispr.bme.gatech.edu) and noting that human trials of CRISPR gene editing were planned for 2017 according to Editas.

• Participants explored the limitations of specialization in transhumanism, referencing Heinlein's quote "specialization is for insects" and discussing social spiders as examples of specialized organisms in nature.

• A resource for psychological trait SNPs was shared (eupedia.com/genetics/psychological_traits_snp.shtml), indicating interest in the genetic basis of human psychology among channel participants.