X-Message-Number: 11780 From: Date: Wed, 19 May 1999 10:55:52 EDT Subject: freeze-drying; evolution of consciousness Dr. Henry Hirsch is interested in pursuing research in freeze-drying. This is one of the projects on the Cryonics Institute research agenda, but it is not yet near the top of the priority list. Potential advantages of freeze-drying include economy of storage because of higher storage temperature, plus corresponding safety because of reduced vulnerability to interruptions of energy or liquid nitrogen supplies. There is also the possibility of combining freeze-drying with chemical fixation, increasing both of the above-mentioned potential advantages. The main disadvantage--of either freeze-drying or chemical fixation, or a combination--of course is just the fact that viability (as currently observed or measured) is virtually nil at the level of mammalian tissues, in the context of current capabilities. This may be more of a psychological problem than a scientific problem, in the context of future technology. Logically, a sufficient degree of preservation of structure is all that is necessary, with preservation of function pretty much irrelevant--but that is a hard sell indeed, even to most committed cryonicists. Another possible disadvantage might be cost of preparation. Freeze-drying something as large as a human, by any currently used methods, is a very slow process, and therefore an expensive one. We have some ideas to offset this, but so far we cannot see our way to giving this project a high priority. A higher level of research donations could change this. ------------- Daniel Crevier raises again (we have been there before) the question of how evolution could favor consciousness, if Zombies lacking consciousness would behave in exactly the same way as conscious individuals. He is confused by mixing up two separate questions--consciousness in computers on the one hand, and on the other hand comparisons of living organisms respectively with and without consciousness. As I have previously discussed, a computer (if fast enough) could (in principle) direct a robot to behave as if it were conscious, resulting in a Zombie; but the computer would still not be conscious. A naturally evolved, living organism would not behave the same way with or without consciousness. Consciousness does have survival value, the reason being, I suggest, that it allows quicker reactions and proactions. Over-simplifying, in the absence of consciousness the organism's instincts would have difficulty discriminating between various stimuli or classes of stimuli; a great many sets of instincts might be required, and associated mechanisms to activate them. With consciousness, however, we immediately have the possibility of efficient categories. "Feel bad--me outa here." "Smell good--me eat." Quick and dirty solutions to complicated problems. In due course, the experimentalists will resolve these questions. Robert Ettinger Cryonics Institute Immortalist Society http://www.cryonics.org Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=11780