X-Message-Number: 24548 Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2004 10:12:38 -0400 From: Thomas Donaldson <> Subject: for Basie and Mark Plus [ This message got delayed two days because of an email problem. - KQB ] For Basie and others on the last 2 Cryonets: I don't wish to get involved in arguments about terminology. Destruction due to pressure bursting cells counts in my mind as mechanical damage; note that I never claimed that the ice crystals specifically CUT the cell membranes. (I am doubtful anyway that any work on cryosurgery seriously applies to cryonic suspension by freezing anyway: they don't use any cryoprotectants at all in cryosurgery. Incidentally, if you actually read Greg Fahy's piece, he does actually discuss separation of the two pieces (ultimately into many pieces) of dendrites or axons. If I recall, he doesn't actually describe the physical process by which this happens; pressure can also cause such separation. Synapses (connections between 2 neurons) actually hold together more strongly than the neurons themselves, so that we get "synaptosomes" (synapses floating about separated from any neurons, not natural objects but the effect of injury). As for a rise in oil prices putting ALL airlines out of business, that seems unlikely --- even ALL airlines servicing Australia, as an example (Qantas too has added a surcharge for oil price to its tickets). These surcharges, incidentally, don't look like they're large compared to the basic ticket price. As for any long term situation, we'll see lots of alternatives appearing quickly. I actually own shares in Suncor, a company which can extract oil from tar sands and does so for (presently) $9 a barrel. If prices stay where they are, Suncor can sell its oil for substantial profit at $25 a barrel and undercut all the other producers. Best wishes and long long life to all, Thomas Donaldson Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=24548