X-Message-Number: 18652
Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2002 21:08:41 -0800
From: Olaf Henny <>
Subject: Re: CryoNet #18471 (Steve Harris) & #18485 (Robert Ettinger)
References: <>

I have just returned from a winter vacation in sunnier climes,
so I am commenting on this a bit late:
In Message #18471 Dr. Steve Harris wrote:

>COMMENT:  If this is literally as reported, it's just another
>stupidly-controlled study which has found another association
>which is probably due to a dummy variable.  Why (for instance)
>would they possibly be so foolish as not to control for major
>known things which impact stroke-risk, like socioeconomic
>class and smoking behavior?  Poor people who don't take their
>blood pressure pills are (after all) the very same people who
>don't get vaccinated. For this study to have a chance to mean
>*anything,* they need to control for the fact that getting the flu
>vaccine may simply be a marker for whether or not you take
>care of yourself in other ways.

I have come to respect the knowledge and opinions of Dr. Harris
from years of observing his comments here and on sci.life-
extension and would not presume to get into a discussion with him
on how to conduct a scientific study.

However on the above I would like to make one point: The world
leading position of advanced research of the US in science in
general and biomedical science specifically, cannot be disputed.
However, it is also a sad fact, that in terms of provision of
medical services to the poor, the US comes in dead last or close
to it among developed countries (EU, G7, and Switzerland).  Given
the higher standards in provision of medical services, it is
quite possible, that blood pressure pills as well as the flu
shots were free in France and therefore also free from socio-
economic limitations.
Yvan Bozzonetti, any comments?

In Message #18485 Robert Ettinger writes:
Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2002 09:31:04 EST
Subject: importance of memory

>I agree that retention of memory after revival is important, but not as
>important as Thomas Donaldson thinks.
>
>Does Thomas think his infant self failed to survive? After all, he retains no
>memories, or at least none he can bring to consciousness, from his first year
>of life. Yet here he is, and if he looks at his baby pictures no doubt he
>thinks of that as himself.

The infant self "survived", because there has been a *continuity*
of memory.  This continuity would be interrupted, if I was
revived without at least a substantial part of my memories
intact.  I would be but a clone of myself.
Best,
Olaf

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