X-Message-Number: 9824
Date: Sun, 31 May 1998 10:05:02 -0400
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: CryoNet #9814 - #9821

Hi again!

A few brief comments:

First, I remain more optimistic than Paul, though I still want the best
suspension possible. And I put research toward that well ahead of the tons
of research we'd need to work out how to best revive those suspended by
current or previous methods, and the gigatons needed to revive those
unfortunates so far who (for one reason or another) could simply be
straight frozen.

I will also add that if we can be revived, I doubt very much that 
there will be any problem about our intelligence. Basically that 
confuses all the structures by which our brain WORKS with those 
essential to survival of memory. If anything, we may be revived
smarter than we are now (but I'll also add that when you really start
thinking about it, IQ isn't such a good criterion and the whole idea of
intelligence is much more complex than most people seem to think).

Second, about the funds needed to revive us. There is a general pattern
to technological advances: the first time is VERY expensive, after
which it gets less and less expensive. Finally it's almost free. For
purposes of thinking about revival, I'd lump in the cost of revival 
with the problem of revival itself. That is, you won't be revived
until they work out how to do so, and pay for it easily. Yes, that may
well not mean that you will be the first person revived, but then
the first person will probably have to iron out all the bugs in the
procedure, at considerable time, trouble, and pain. After all,
you can remain frozen until all those problems are solved ---
including the cost of revival. Besides, I see no way at all to 
validly estimate that cost. I don't even know where I would be 
stored when that problem is solved.... not even on the Earth. Or
just how the economy at that time will be structured (I'll bet,
though, that it will not be like any present or past economy.
Heresy heresy! They may even have an advance on capitalism --- 
I don't mean anything yet tried, but a real advance).

			Best wishes to all, and long long life,

                                      Thomas Donaldson

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