X-Message-Number: 4237
From: 
Date: Tue, 18 Apr 1995 17:54:01 -0400
Subject: information conservation

A mild demurrer:

Keith Lynch (#4231) says I am the only one who has said on Cryonet that
revival may always be possible because information cannot be destroyed.

1. The operative word is "may." Possibly information can be destroyed; we
don't really know. In any case, of course,l anyone relying on exceedingly
remote possibilities is foolish. (One of our main jobs in cryonics is to
convince people that the revival of our patients in cryostasis is not just a
remote possibility.)

2. I believe others have said more or less  the same thing. Mike Perry, for
instance, in the context of the Many Worlds or Parallel Worlds view of
quantum branching, thinks revival at extreme removes might be possible. Frank
Tipler's views have been discussed on Cryonet; these (Omega Point) also have
similarities, although I think his reasons are very poor ones.

As for the usefulness of optimism based on remote possibilities, this can
vary greatly. It can be counterproductive if it weakens incentive for action
closer to home. It can be helpful if it prevents despair.

Robert Ettinger


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