X-Message-Number: 25513
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 06:05:38 -0500
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: CryoNet #25506 - #25512

For Peter Merel:

The most effective means of producing machines able at least to WALK
on normal ground and natural country does not start with computer
algorithms. It looks in detail at how multilegged creatures walk,
and puts together machines (often involving several small dedicated
computers) which imitate their reactions. The essential point here
is that a spider or other such creature does not spend time 
working out where it will step based on algorithms. It has evolved
a means to step plus other reactions to correct its step if its
gone wrong. No, I am NOT speaking about evolutionary computing,
either. Note that the spider can walk without ever fully understanding
the world its walking in. Most computer science which works on this
problem fails because it tries to do too much. I have a nice little
book by a major proponent of this approach; I will be back later
(possibly in tomorrow's Cryonet) with an exact reference.

For Mathew Sullivan:

Your discussion makes TONS of assumptions, starting with what might
be done with diamonds and going on from there. (Carbon fibers are one
thing, diamonds are another). While I would like to improve myself
too, I personally suspect that my physical body may not need much
improvement other than the further invention of tools and other
items to allow it to do all the things you mention --- and the big
advantage of tools is that you don't have to carry them with you
all the time. It's my MIND and EMOTIONS that might be improved. I
send Alcor a copy of every issue of PERIASTRON, and have just sent
the latest one (a double issue to take care of the 4 months in
which lots of interruptions occurred) to the printer, and will be
mailing it out tomorrow. It has an editorial, HOW WILL WE REDESIGN
OURSELVES, which bears on just this question.  Since you work at
Alcor you should be able to read it, and then we can go on.
I must add, too, that so far as I can tell from your message you
haven't really answered my original question: instead you tell me
of your ideas of the technology that will become possible, with
no verification of those ideas. 

              Best wishes and long long life for all,

                   Thomas Donaldson

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=25513