X-Message-Number: 6575
From:  (Anders Sandberg)
Newsgroups: sci.cryonics
Subject: Re: Brain & Body Parts (was Re: About Cryonics and Illiteracy)
Date: 21 Jul 1996 16:17:07 GMT
Message-ID: <>

References: <> 
<4sr9cj$>

Olaf Henny wrote:
>some way.  Could there be some individual "programming" contained in the
>gliae, which would determine their function in bonding to cells/neurons with a
>specific purpose? 

Could be. It is a very good question, actually, and I think a lot of
research is going on right now about understanding how the glia cells
influence the neurons. We know they work as ion buffers, and it is
believed that some of them help the neurons to produce the necessary
neurotransmittors and other substances. My guess is that they are important,
but not that important for mind uploading where they might be simulated 
with "standardized" glia cells. 

>(As a layman I have the privilege to ask ridiculous questions,
>without having to be embarrassed)

And ridiculous questions are usually the most thought-provoking! 


>Unless I miss a beat, an artificial body would lack the glands, which provide 
us
>with our emotional and sensuous make-up, our soul.  Without them we would

>be strictly intellectual beings, without the emotional stimulus to intellectual
>function, which may well be essential to the intellect's survival.

Why can't an artificial body contain glands? They are trivial in comparision
to the 10^11 neurons in the brain. 

And emotions are not ruled completely by hormones, a large part of them are
definitely in the brain. 
 --
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 Anders Sandberg                                      Towards Ascension!
          http://www.nada.kth.se/~nv91-asa/main.html
 GCS/M/S/O d++ -p+ c++++ !l u+ e++ m++ s+/+ n--- h+/* f+ g+ w++ t+ r+ !y


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