X-Message-Number: 12304
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: for George Smith (and his companions) once more
Date: Sun, 22 Aug 1999 23:14:25 +1000 (EST)

Hi again!

For George Smith: nanotech computers and quantum computers are two quite
different animals and should not be equated. The fact that people are
working to achieve each kind is good, but (unlike nanotech computers)
some knowledgeable people still doubt the possibility of quantum
computers.

As for nanotechnology, if you include biotechnology, then we already have
it and are improving it rapidly. What else are they working with but
(biological) molecules? It's also of interest that one kind of possible
nanocomputer would consist of many strands of DNA. 

As for the work of 21st Century Medicine and Saul Kent + Bill Faloon, 
they have already made considerable progress. If we pursue that line,
we'll find out how to treat and store people for centuries. Since after
all a lot of bio/chemistry is involved, and chemistry necessarily operates
on nanoscales, someone might even claim that it uses a form of
nanotechnology. The really important point is that we have a very good
chance of working out how to REVERSIBLY freeze someone in only 10 years.

And finally, I doubt strongly that nanotechnology of ANY kind will be
sufficient for revival of existing and former patients. Necessary,
certainly, but not at all sufficient. I say this because I also doubt that
any universal nanomachines (other than computers, if computers continue
to be universal) will ever be built. WE will either convert the rest of our 
society to our views (likely, but not at all likely before we work out how 
to reversibly freeze and store brains), or do the work ourselves. And that 
work is unlikely to consist of only trivial modifications of existing
machines and methods. Sorry, George, but my views aren't at all close to
yours --- which I think someday you will look back on and see were
mistaken.

			Best and long long life to all,

				Thomas Donaldson

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