X-Message-Number: 9795
Date: Thu, 28 May 1998 07:13:59 -0400
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: CryoNet #9786 - #9792

Hi everyone!

A brief comment to Mr. John K. Clark.

No, Ralph Merkle DID NOT establish that memory would survive. To do
that you cannot talk in very general terms about "informational survival".
You have to deal with MEMORY as it works in our brain (and the brains of
other animals). Sure, it's easy to establish that nanotechnology will be
able to examine a cryopreserved brain very closely. But what it will
find after such an examination was NOT discussed.

I'm not heckling anyone here. This has been a problem with Dr. Merkle's
ideas from the beginning. Not only that, but if you read the whole of
my posting re his, you would have noticed that I had quite a number of
questions which if answered would give much better indications as to
whether memory did or did not survive, and even where and what kind. I
believe that many of these questions could be answered now or soon,
given the effort. 

And yes, I think his arguments have been fallacious from the beginning.
So, too, I do not think fallacious arguments for cryonics should be
used. Ever.

and to David Brandt-Ericksen, I want to thank him for his close 
following of events involved with "euthanasia" and choice of dying. It
has been invaluable. And probably like you, I remain puzzled as to
why so many politicians take stands against their own voters.

			Best and long long life to all,

				Thomas Donaldson

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