X-Message-Number: 1972
Date: 16 Mar 93 18:30:38 EST
From: Paul Wakfer <>
Subject: CRYONICS Mike Darwin's Academic Limitations

For almost a year now, I have been Mike Darwin's close associate in the
Cryovita/Biopreservation research operation.  I have come to know the man
pretty well concerning what he knows, what he doesn't know and, more
importantly (with respect to this message), the *way* in which he knows
things.  I have tremendous respect for his knowledge.  (Even moreso
because of the limitations under which he has been able to aquire it.  I
could not have done it in that way myself.)  On the other hand, he is in
no way a complete well-rounded scientist.  One of his major limitations
is that he has virtually no mathematical ability (even the simple
multiplications and divisions of dosage calculations are dificult for
him and he generally likes to have someone else around to "work the
numbers").  It is for this reason that, early on, he gave up the idea of
completing any formal biological university education.  He could not make
of even follow the computations which, for example, Brian Wowk has
recently posted to the net regarding the optimization of a large cold
storage room.  Furthermore, the suggestion that was made that he should
"go learn some thermodynamics" is simply impossible for him.

All this having been said, he knows what he knows.  Not because he has
calculated it, but because he has read it in trustworthy or peer reviewed
papers, or he has experienced it.  He factually knows, and has a
marvellous intuitive grasp for, a vast amount of information much of
which in one way or another relates to cryonics.  I believe it quite
proper and fitting to refer to him as the only living (since Jerry Leaf's
suspension) "professional cryonic scientist".   Certaining he knows more
about the scientific/medical aspects of cryonics than any other person
alive today.

We should all not criticize him for his occasional errors of physical and
mathematical understanding, but instead look at the empirical &
experiencial basis for his statements, and especially we should be damn
thankfull that we have someone around and working for our benefit who has
developed, under severe apptitude limitations, the depth and bredth of
knowledge that Mike Darwin has, and in addition that this man has the
intuitive problem solving and inovative abilities to do briliant research
work in this area.

Paul Wakfer

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