X-Message-Number: 3039 From: (Stephen J. Van Sickle) Newsgroups: sci.cryonics Subject: Re: Apologies to Merkle Date: 29 Aug 1994 14:42:45 -0400 Message-ID: <33ta75$> References: <> In article <>, Paul Wakfer wrote: > In my desire to live, what I am frustrated by, are the numbers of >cryonicists who are willing to put much time, money and thought toward the >re-animation problem, when the necessary technology will come about anyway, >if progress continues. Although it is true that there is some chance that Who, specifically, is wasting their time and money in such a manner? I'm afraid that in my ignorance, I am only aware of Ralph Merkle's work. While I'm sure he has spent much time and thought, I doubt if he has spent much money. Besides, since he is not a biologist, I suspect he can do a better job with the mathematics of information theory than he can with scalpel and e-microscope. If you are talking about the the whole field of "molecular nanotechnology", I'm sorry to disappoint you, but revival of cryonics patients is about the last thing on the minds of its serious researchers. Improved computers, better materials, "santa claus machines", now *thats* where the money is. And finally, if you are talking about the "uploading" crowd, well, you may have a point. Lots of talk that could be more productively expended talking about what Paul Wakfer is interested in. Its just talk, though. Have not run across any experimental uploads lately. Besides, I think it makes a wonderful vehicle for speculating on the nature of identity. Isn't the nature of identity of importance to cryonics? Perhaps not the most pressing question at the moment, though. > Instead, in my estimation, all logic and rationality, cries out that >we should be putting major efforts into reducing the current preservation >damage, by developing methods of preservation which will, by restoration of >a fully functional mammalian brain, both prove that the cryonics idea can >work, and provide the almost certain means for you and I to keep on living. >A number of highly intelligent and knowledgeable scientists, including a >leading organ-preservation cryobiologist, believe that this can be done >within 5 years if funding of the amount of $5,000,000 can be obtained (a >paltry sum when compared with the earth-shaking event which it can >accomplish). There will be plenty of time to do reanimation research and >other futurist endeavors, AFTER, we KNOW we HAVE an excellent chance at a >vastly extended life. So, write the check. I'm having a little cash flow problem, or I'd write the check for $5 M myself. If you don't have the money, and *I* don't have the money, then where is the written research proposal to extract cash from those who do have it? Until we raise the money, don't you think we should do what little we can now? Sure, small time experimental research is first priority, but do you think that people with training and talent in other matters should sit and do nothing? They also serve who sit and think. Unless this post was an attempt at fund raising, in which case you need to brush up on your fund raising skills. Telling people they are being irrational and wasting their time is not the way to get them to open up their checkbooks. >to ever do and accomplish all my desires. And besides, if I succeed (and >cryonics succeeds), what is 3 years out of 1000 or more? I urge you all to >join with me to ensure, not only that I and many others have not wasted a >major portion of our lives, but most of all that you, and all other humans >who wish to make the choice, can live vastly extended, enjoyable, and >productive lives. Believe it or not, Mr. Wakfer, we are all on the same side. Just because some choose to take different roads does not mean we will not arrive at the destination. > >-- Paul Wakfer -- Hoping to see you in the far, far future, Stephen Van Sickle -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Launchpad is an experimental internet BBS. The views of its users do not necessarily represent those of UNC-Chapel Hill, OIT, or the SysOps. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=3039