http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/22/3535518/singularity-rapture-of-the-nerds-gods-end-human-race
This impression, whether true or false, was interesting to me:
While intellectual curiosity was the dominant trait among attendees, fear was the emotion the Institute leveraged in trying to solicit support.
http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/22/3535518/singularity-rapture-of-the-nerds-gods-end-human-race