X-Message-Number: 8886
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: Re: CryoNet #8879 - #8882
Date: Wed, 3 Dec 1997 01:24:24 -0800 (PST)

Hi again!

Not much time because I'm replying very late. 

The major difference I see with immortals (who specifically are NOT indestruct-
ible, but can work towards that) is a change in perspective which also changes
the scale that Peter Merel refers to. If you live long enough, and say (for
instance) live in a city the size of New York, you're going to meet everyone
else living there and speak with them for some time. And because you live for
a long time, you won't feel that a century between meetings makes them rare.
So what constitutes a village becomes much larger, in one sense.

I doubt that the net constitutes much of an example or counterexample here,
unless somehow everyone on it has become immortal except for you and me. If
so, I'd dearly like to know their secret.

As to the person who chimed in about immortality === indestructibility, that
wasn't quite what I was saying. I do not believe we will ever make ourselves
indestructible in the literal sense. But then, even if we could live forever
we'd never know it for sure, either --- forever means FOREVER. Immortality
is what we AIM FOR, not something we have. And it is that AIM which affects
how we treat others... not in any metaphysical, religious sense, but in
terms of our self-interest. If you aim to be immortal you don't go around
offending other people unless you have a VERY VERY good reason. For you
know that if you do so then someday the person offended will make you pay
for it.

Enough for tonight.
			Best and long long life,

				Thomas Donaldson

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