X-Message-Number: 8897 Date: Fri, 05 Dec 1997 10:26:51 +0100 From: John de Rivaz <> Subject: Re: Backups In article: <> writes: > Subject: Backups > > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- > > On Tue, 02 Dec 1997 John de Rivaz <> Wrote: > > >You have a backup made, and then you are told that you are to be > >painlessly exterminated, but don't worry, the backup will then be > >activated. How do you feel about it? > > > It doesen't matter. I've never been in that situation so I'm not sure how I'd > feel about it, but one thing is certain, whatever my emotions, my "backup", > if he's worthy of the name, would have been told the exact same thing and be > feeling the exact same way. Read it again, and note the *then*. The backup does not know about the extermination. That is the point - the backup does not have all the experiences of original that is exterminated, unless the backup and extermination are simultaneous. I am not saying that I would not backup if the option were available - I certainly would. However I could not be totally convinced that reanimating backups is producing survival. Consider this: Sacher von Masoch had sexually related fantasies about being beheaded. Suppose he decided to experience this, and had a backup made before the act so as to avoid the fatal consequence. He could go on repeating this for all eternity, but could never recall the experience. -- ***************************************** Sincerely, * Longevity Report * * http://www.longevb.demon.co.uk/lr.htm * John de Rivaz * Fractal Report * * http://www.longevb.demon.co.uk/fr.htm * * Music I like - see homepage * ***************************************** In the information age, sharing can increase world wealth enormously, because giving information does not decrease your information. http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/JohndeR Fast loading, very few slow pictures Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=8897