X-Message-Number: 4345 Date: Wed, 3 May 1995 21:11:03 -0700 From: John K Clark <> Subject: SCI.CRYONICS Uploading -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- For the first time I find myself agreeing with nearly everything Thomas Donaldson said, in #4334 he wrote: >it is difficult to argue about definitions. All too true. >However: if computers are to be defined as anything which >manipulates information, there does seem to me to be a >problem in that the definition is far too broad. Yes, that's a bit too liberal a definition for my taste also. The problem is with the word "manipulates" (it's too broad), not with the word "information". >The only thing an advocate of uploading is saying, then, is >that someday we can transfer ourselves to another better >object for manipulating information. Exactly, that's all I'm saying. >Biologically based objects are entirely within the ambit of >this definition. No doubt about it, and until now biologically based objects were the ONLY things that did, but monopolies do not last forever. >seem to make the whole issue of uploading sound very strange Well it is very strange, but strange things happen. A thing can't be ruled out just because it's odd, unless it violates the laws of physics or logic. >[uploading is] saying no more than that we can someday >improve ourselves. Yeah, that's about it. >Yes, I think we can someday improve ourselves too, Me too, glad to hear you say that. >but what happened to uploading? Not a thing, it's alive and well. Why do you ask? In #4336 Wrote: >If I read him right, John Clark's position on "free will" >(#4329) is that it is a non-problem. You read me right, it's a non-problem. We agree. >The statement 2 x 3 = 6 the right and left members are >equal but are not the same THING. Is "6" the same as "six"? If you're talking about the symbols no and for somebody leaning English the equation 6 = six would be a useful bit of information. The meaning, however, is the same. John K Clark -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.6.i iQCzAgUBL6hQTn03wfSpid95AQHydwTvT/fSIrR6G5PmQF4qwmEbNkccVlnYyq9N SoVWjZRBQlqsSN4LVTG0t/5VDV5Y2EDidClwf80pJnLo3i3ZgEDFJartNHFr/JPv nfSFelKoPhd9LdttNyGxQ8JWQDjQR7Hm1ByAu0DaMvlSD06GXNcV2PlPpVbBJ4+h CLLCZYlseE+LBuyK7nEHL4lOzmqXwkrJgOzxKk3QDNNP/Nv14f0= =fA3z -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=4345