X-Message-Number: 9233
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: Re: CryoNet #9222 - #9230
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 1998 00:13:11 -0800 (PST)

Hi guys!

To Bob Ettinger:

I'm holding with what I said. Can you please explain just how a VALUE may be
wrong? If I understand you, you argue that my valuation of my memories ie.
which ones are important to me and which are not, may be wrong. And if so
I would not survive (according to you) even though the memories I valued
as important to me did survive. Perhaps we misunderstand one another, of
course. 

As for the state of our understanding on these issues, I would agree that
it is fragmentary but would add that it is growing much less so. There's
been lots of work on these questions by neuroscientists for the last 20
years, and they've gotten somewhere even if the story remains incomplete.
As for my own ideas, I've said already that the only brain structure (or
contents?) for which survival is problematic is our memories. And yes, as
a first cut I would suggest we say that identity is the same as those
memories important to us (but see below also)

To Hara Ra:

Basically we're in agreement. I did not go into structure of memories at
that time, but I believe I have discussed it elsewhere. I may have erred
by not discussing on the occasion you mention.

To Randy Smith:

Transplants of neurons for Parkinson's Disease have a considerable history;
embryonic neurons, possibly because they have not completely formed their
connections (there can be other reasons also) survive freezing much better
than adult neural tissue. However dissociated adult neurons can also
survive freezing.

Although I don't believe I discussed this particular experiment, I follow 
all such work closely in PERIASTRON and will continue to do so. 

To Christina:

At least for several years (I don't know their present policy, but you
can always ask) Alcor would suspend a pet of anyone who was already a
suspension member of Alcor. My wife and I had an old cat, very well behaved
and wise in her cat way, which we had suspended some years ago. To us she 
had become an honorary human being. However Alcor would probably refuse	 
to suspend any pet of someone who was NOT a member. We've also had other
pets we didn't feel that way about. The cat was a neurosuspension, not a
whole body.

Because we can do with cats what we cannot do with human beings, she was
suspended while still alive. Very very sick and dying, but still alive.

I can't speak for other cryonics societies, but if you wish you may phone
Alcor at (602) 922-9013, both to get their present policy and find 
others who may have done this. I know of at least one other person, but
it's for him to tell you, not me. 

To Steve Harris:

Hey, Steve, c'mon. What's the reference to this work? I even believe you,
but I'd still like the reference. Just the kind of thing I discuss in 
PERIASTRON (but if I don't get to read it myself directly then it doesn't
get into PERIASTRON at all).

And if you're referring to work YOU've done, very good, but I'd still want
to know more. You might send me an individual message.


And to all:

			Best wishes, and long long life,

				Thomas Donaldson

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