X-Message-Number: 5810
Date: Fri, 23 Feb 1996 19:01:26 -1000
From:  (Rick Friedlander)
Subject: Re: Origins of Order

      In my post where I suggested that longevity research and cryonics seem
like
a synergetic pair, I mentioned "The Origins of Order" by Stuart A. Kauffman

M.D.  Dr. Kauffman is professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University
of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.  He is also an External professor at the 
Santa Fe Institute which focuses on studies in Complexity in all its
manifestations.
The book is published by the Oxford University Press c1993.  
     In "Origins of Order" Dr. Kauffman explains how,
during undergraduate days he wrote a program which used simple logical gates
(and,or) and connected them in networks (called, I think KN Boolean Networks)
with varying inputs and outputs. What he discovered through trial and error
was that in a network of N nodes with K possible outputs for each node the
only setup that produced
order was where k=2.  On or Off.  Evolution seems to be like that as well.
     If you look at the chemical basis of metabolism it is amazing how similar
all the critical parts are to each other- ATP is a nucleotide like the bases
in DNA; RNA is almost identical to DNA.  It is not difficult to hypothesize
that a basic networking principle is at work together with powerful geometric
symmetries and form generators to produce an organism.  Evolution in small
increments over time is still true but these powerful forces have been added
to the mix.
     So, with respect to cryonics, if ischemic injury produces cascades of
reactions which eventually lyse cells and produce irreparable damage, one
can certainly envison the possibility that because such powerful forces
have guided the billions-year-old evolution of cells at the smallest and
most proximal distances and energy levels, that with sufficient understanding
science should be able to intervene in a powerful way.  I can't understand
why anyone would think that impossible.  As I said before what makes anyone
sure of what is real?  If there is no certainty of what is "real", then
talking about impossibilities is pure negativism.  Maybe it is because the
stakes are so high.  Immortality?  Can't be true say the unbelievers. 
     Next point.  I would like to add my guess as to how long a cryonic
patient will need to be kept deanimated.  It wouldn't suprise me if it
were possible to deanimate and reanimate humans within 5 years.  I am not
saying I think that is what will happen, but I think its a better bet than
300 years or even 100 years.  If I'm not mistaken the department of defense
is looking into cryonics or something like it for deep space missions.  They
have big bucks...  Oh, isn't DOD looking into nanotechnology, and didn't
Eric Drexler testify before a panel of military big-wigs?  It wouldn't surprise
me if the political part becomes the trickiest.  
Stay cool.
Rick Friedlander


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