X-Message-Number: 20968
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2003 15:33:04 -0800
From: James Swayze <>
Subject: swapping bits and pieces, a question
References: <>

> Message #20962
> From: "michaelprice" <>
> References: <>
> Subject: Swapping with copies
> Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2003 09:25:33 -0000
>
> Jonathan Hinek:
> >
> >> The other point to make (again) is that according to quantum mechanics
> >> all identical objects are swapping locations with each other, even large
> >> complex objects.  Any identity you assign to one object you have to
> >> assign to all of its copies.  In particular this applies to our notions
> >> of consciousness or identity.  If you have the information preserved that
> >> enables the physical reconstruction of someone (at some time) then you
> >> also have preserved their identity (at that time), since that information
> >> can be used to create a perfect copy that must share identity with the
> >> original.  Physical continuity is not required for identity preservation.
> >
> > Would this "swapping" between the 'original, and the 'copy' continue even
> > as their experiences diverge, or would any divergence immediately undo
> > their shared identity?
>
> It would essentially end as they structurally diverged at the molecular
> level.  By "essentially" I mean it is all a matter of degree.  Electrons
> (for instance, although it applies to all particles) "prefer" to swap with
> their immediate neighbours over their more distant kin.  So they swap
> intra-atomically more than intra-molecularly and more, yet again, than
> inter-molecularly.  Also a collection of bound particles (i.e. an 'object'
> with internal structure) is more inclined to swap (with an identical
> neighbour or copy) as a collective entity than as its individual discrete
> sub-units.


So if I take a brick from my neighbor's house and he one from his, we exchange 
and place them in our respective
houses, has my address now changed to his and his to mine?

James
--
Cryonics Institute of Michigan Member!
The Immortalist Society Member!
The Society for Venturism Member!


MY WEBSITE: http://www.geocities.com/~davidpascal/swayze/ While there follow the
links to photos of me and some

of my artwork and a radio interview on Dr.  J's ChangeSurfer Radio program with 
me and the father of cryonics
Prof.  Robert Ettinger, author of "The Prospect of Immortality".
A RELIGION I actually recommend: http://www.venturist.org
A FAVORITE quote: Last lines of the first Star Trek the Next Generation movie.

Capt.  Picard: "What we leave behind is not as important as how we've lived, 
after all Number One, we're only
mortal."
Will Ryker: "Speak for yourself captain, I intend to live forever!"

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