X-Message-Number: 13246
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: some comments about material in 13226-13263
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 100 13:38:35 +1100 (EST)

Hi everyone!

Some comments on material in this issue of Cryonet.

1. Nanotechnology of some kind will likely be of value for revival (keep
   in mind here that biotech qualifies as nanotechnology if that word is
   taken literally). However the major form of disarrangement caused by
   poor cryopreservation is disarrangement at levels above that of 
   molecules. We may need to put some cellular pieces (note that I did
   not say "molecules") back in place, and replace others, but NOT
   repair individual molecules. The problem of repair will be much more
   complex than simply replacing molecules... and it's likely to differ
   with the individual patient, too.

2. Karl Pribram is by now a quite outmoded authority. Yes, we cannot just
   identify our memories with the exact state of our synapses because 
   they change constantly, appearing and disappearing. So far as I know,
   no neuroscientist has asked a major question: imagine two neurons with
   changing synaptic connections. Are there other places in each neuron
   (other than their presently existing synapses) where the information
   that they should retain their connections at some nonzero level is 
   stored?

   We may still be able to RECOVER memories simply from synaptic
   connections, but that does not identify our memories with those
   connections.

3. For those interested who may not already subscribe, I deal with both
   of the above issues constantly in my cryonics science newsletter
   PERIASTRON. And other questions, too.

			Best and long long life to all,

				Thomas Donaldson

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