X-Message-Number: 4231
Date: Mon, 17 Apr 1995 22:19:42 -0400
From: "Keith F. Lynch" <>
Subject: Nanotechnology

 writes:
> Ralph Merkle seems to be among those who believe that Nanotechnology
> can solve all problems.

I've never seen a message from him which suggests anything of the sort.

Anyone who *did* believe that would not be in favor of cryonics, since
burial is cheaper and less controversial, and since they would believe
that burial (or even cremation!) would be just as reversable given
Nanotechnology spelled with a big enough "N".

Robert Ettinger is the only one on Cryonet whom I've seen suggest that
revival may always be possible because information cannot be destroyed.

Actually, it may be literally true that information can't be destroyed,
but the information will often be heading away from here in all
directions at the speed of light, and this would certainly seem to
preclude any possibility of revival.  By the same theory, information
can't be created, either -- your reply to this message was already
"written" when dinosaurs ruled the earth, and it should be just as
possible to "revive" people from the distant future as from the distant
past.  Not a very useful theory, in my humble opinion.

I'm sure Messrs. Merkle and/or Ettinger will speak up if I've
misrepresented anything.


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