X-Message-Number: 11744
From: 
Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 16:28:24 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: 5 critical questions.

In Message #11727, Thomas Donaldson wrote:

>The problem which George Smith raises doesn't really bear on this 
>discussion. We are conscious, and yes, we can have dreams. It's far from
>clear how this fact bears on the consciousness of virtual people living
>in a virtual world.
>
Question 1: Are dreams a virtual reality?

Question 2: If no, what else can they be?

Question 3: If yes, then when we are operating IN that virtual reality are 
we not "virtual people"?

Question 4: If not, what are we operating AS in that virtual reality?

Question 5: How do the above critical issues NOT bear on the question at 
hand unless we stubbornly refuse to consider dreams because they are not 
computer-generated?  

I would submit that dreams ARE the ongoing human experience of true virtual 
reality.

I would submit that when we are dreaming we are operating as "virtual 
people" in that virtual reality.

I would submit that to ignore this daily (nightly) experience and then claim 
we will never achieve seamless virtual reality is silcon chauvinism.

We create virtual realities already.  NOW let's move the discussion on to 
better ACCESS.  

The future we wish to embrace through cryonics (if we fail to get there the 
usual way!) will undoubtedly include the wonders of brain-entrained virtual 
reality on command via the biological reality of dreaming.  This will make 
it easily possible for any person to experience any desired event.  What 
this will do to our definitions of education, morality and even human 
identity are very worthy topics to consider.

The best is yet to come!  Cryonics is simply another way to help ensure that 
you don't miss the train to the future.

All Aboard!

-George Smith
 CI member.

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