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

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