X-Message-Number: 24654 Date: Sat, 18 Sep 2004 10:03:02 -0400 From: Thomas Donaldson <> Subject: vitrification is the REAL quantum leap For cryonicists generally: Apparently what I am about to say isn't heard very well by most cryonicists, but I will say it anyway. First, cryonic suspension methods have not undergone (past tense) a quantum leap with nanotechnology. No one has invented any nanotechnological method as yet capable of dealing with the damage of suspension. The real quantum leap in suspension methods comes not from nanotechnology but from the work on vitrification, which exists already and continues to progress. Morever, as those with some knowledge of how brains work know, our memories involve the connectivity of our neurons, and connections between neurons measure not in nanometers but in micrometers, 1000 times larger. In terms of cryobiology, one major injury from freezing (note I said freezing, not vitrification) comes from breaking and separating those connections. Our major brain connections we have in common with all other human beings, and they may survive freezing; but our memories come from much smaller connections between our neurons, and these can quite possibly break. If they were to break, only a form of nanotechnology in the very broadest sense of nanotechnology could help repair. We'd first need to solve the problem of just what fragment connects with what other (which requires knowledge of a much larger area even than micrometers, just as we need to know all the pieces of a puzzle to put it together again). Then, of course, if we CAN put that broken brain puzzle together (not obvious, but depending on just how fragmented a brain may be) then we have the problem of actually doing so. We may well do this with devices made from nanoscale parts, but the devices themselves must necessarily be much larger, since the damage exceeds nanoscales. I do NOT mean this as a general criticism of nanotechnology nor of the biotechnology which rightly forms a part of nanotechnology. It will substantially increase our ability to heal some kinds of damage and improve ourselves too. However it's not likely to deal with the specific injuries involved in freezing. Of course, vitrification avoids this problem of disconnection entirely. That's why I would agree that it can be said to be a quantum leap. Best wishes and long long life to all, Thomas Donaldson Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=24654