X-Message-Number: 2129
From:  (Thomas Donaldson)
Subject: Re: cryonics: #2118-#2122
Date: Sun, 18 Apr 93 23:08:40 PDT



Steve:

More than 15 years ago I actually read that book of Huxley's. I guess I didn't
remember enough of it to clue into that article. As you might guess, I
remember it as just another attempt to besmirch any scientific pursuit of
immortality (or whatever else you want to call it).

As for the behavior of NATURE whenever April 1 falls on a Thursday, just how
often does that happen? Yes, I did think it puerile. Here's another way to
look at it. Suppose the article were about (say) brain tumors, and produced
a long April Fool about brain tumors... one sufficiently concealed that to
anyone with a brain tumor, it just MIGHT be true (even if that person knew
that it was after all published on April 1). What would you think of it then?

In any case, you have explained the joke, such as it is. For that I owe you
a certain amount of thanks. I will see what NATURE itself says in reply to
my letter. 

Frankly, as someone who has been reading NATURE for years without running 
across an April Fools article, I don't think they occur so often at all. But
I don't run with the scientific community as you do. Is that something that
everyone in your circle knows about? Every other time there's been some 
humor, I haven't found it hard to notice. Maybe I cared too much about the
subject. After all, who on this BBS really cares about immortality and such
things? It's all just a way to pass the time.

			Best and long life (even though)
					Thomas

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