X-Message-Number: 20154
Date: Tue, 24 Sep 2002 08:16:06 -0400
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: CryoNet #20144 - #20151

For Tracey Simon:

Although the question asked (in your quotes) isn't well expressed,
it sounds as if the questioner wants to know just how the LN2
tanks are powered. After all, even if they aren't cooled directly,
creating LN2 would use up some power. And when a new tank is
needed because the old one wore out, that too will take up power.

The question can't really be answered because it has no single
answer. If we use solar power to run everything, then neither
carbon nor radioactive wastes will be created. If we set up a
special coal-burning plant (or nuclear plant, for that matter)
just to power suspension centers, then lots of waste will be 
created.

Again, if our power comes from dams (fundamentally a form of solar
power) or windmills (ditto) the same can be said.

A second problem with this question is simple: we know that we'll
make some kind of waste, whether we are living or suspended. And
if we aren't suspended, others will step in to make their own
waste. The question needs to be asked whether or not the waste
we create by being suspended compares to that created by other
human activities, and of course would it be significant in any
case? Suppose we gave the money we used for our suspension to
some other person or other organization. They, too, will create
waste. It looks to me that if anything suspendees would make much
less waste than spending the suspension money on anything else.
That is, the valid comparison isn't with absolute levels of waste
but how the waste created by one activity compares to that of
another.

And fundamentally, we want to be suspended because we want to live.
If a questioner complains that we will create waste by doing so,
he can be asked to step outside and commit suicide so that he'll
make less waste. And tell him that once he's done so, you will
decide not to be suspended.

Just some thoughts.

		Best wishes and long long life for all,

			Thomas Donaldson

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