X-Message-Number: 24548
Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2004 10:12:38 -0400
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: for Basie and Mark Plus

[ This message got delayed two days because of an email problem. - KQB ]

For Basie and others on the last 2 Cryonets:

I don't wish to get involved in arguments about terminology. Destruction
due to pressure bursting cells counts in my mind as mechanical damage;
note that I never claimed that the ice crystals specifically CUT the
cell membranes. (I am doubtful anyway that any work on cryosurgery
seriously applies to cryonic suspension by freezing anyway: they don't
use any cryoprotectants at all in cryosurgery.

Incidentally, if you actually read Greg Fahy's piece, he does actually
discuss separation of the two pieces (ultimately into many pieces)
of dendrites or axons. If I recall, he doesn't actually describe
the physical process by which this happens; pressure can also cause
such separation. Synapses (connections between 2 neurons) actually 
hold together more strongly than the neurons themselves, so that
we get "synaptosomes" (synapses floating about separated from any
neurons, not natural objects but the effect of injury).

As for a rise in oil prices putting ALL airlines out of business,
that seems unlikely --- even ALL airlines servicing Australia, as
an example (Qantas too has added a surcharge for oil price to its
tickets). These surcharges, incidentally, don't look like they're
large compared to the basic ticket price. 

As for any long term situation, we'll see lots of alternatives
appearing quickly. I actually own shares in Suncor, a company which
can extract oil from tar sands and does so for (presently) $9 a 
barrel. If prices stay where they are, Suncor can sell its oil
for substantial profit at $25 a barrel and undercut all the 
other producers.

             Best wishes and long long life to all,

                Thomas Donaldson

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