X-Message-Number: 13246 From: Thomas Donaldson <> Subject: some comments about material in 13226-13263 Date: Sat, 12 Feb 100 13:38:35 +1100 (EST) Hi everyone! Some comments on material in this issue of Cryonet. 1. Nanotechnology of some kind will likely be of value for revival (keep in mind here that biotech qualifies as nanotechnology if that word is taken literally). However the major form of disarrangement caused by poor cryopreservation is disarrangement at levels above that of molecules. We may need to put some cellular pieces (note that I did not say "molecules") back in place, and replace others, but NOT repair individual molecules. The problem of repair will be much more complex than simply replacing molecules... and it's likely to differ with the individual patient, too. 2. Karl Pribram is by now a quite outmoded authority. Yes, we cannot just identify our memories with the exact state of our synapses because they change constantly, appearing and disappearing. So far as I know, no neuroscientist has asked a major question: imagine two neurons with changing synaptic connections. Are there other places in each neuron (other than their presently existing synapses) where the information that they should retain their connections at some nonzero level is stored? We may still be able to RECOVER memories simply from synaptic connections, but that does not identify our memories with those connections. 3. For those interested who may not already subscribe, I deal with both of the above issues constantly in my cryonics science newsletter PERIASTRON. And other questions, too. Best and long long life to all, Thomas Donaldson Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=13246