From: Chris Russo (extropy@russo.org)
Date: Tue Dec 12 2000 - 08:35:47 MST
>OK, lets get this straight.
>
>Chris, you would allow someone to do a copy upload, then kill your physical
>(current) body. Is that right?
As I've mentioned, this wouldn't be my first choice. Slow uploading
has the benefit of not triggering my survival instincts...
... but yes, I would allow destruction of the original in the copy process.
If I someday have a brain death and resuscitation experience as
described by others in this thread, that's effectively what would
happen.
If I someday allow myself to be teleported in a Star Trekesque
fashion, that's effectively what would happen.
If I someday allow my body and mind to be cryogenically stored for
later revival, that's effectively what would happen.
My brain has been replaced atom by atom my whole life. Pretending
that there's a real difference if it happened much faster or even all
at once would seem to be an intellectual dishonesty.
For all I know, this process happens every time I go to sleep at
night. Little fairies may be copying me every time I lose
consciousness.
In a universe where the dead don't weep for themselves any more than
a snakes' discarded skin has any regrets, the only thing important to
me is that my thoughts and memories live on.
I admit it. That in itself is a sentimental wish - as much of a
sentimental wish as thinking that the world needs me in it today or
even that the world has "needs" at all.
Rather than digress into a completely nihilistic stance, I choose to
allow myself that sentimentality. :)
Regards,
Chris Russo
--
"If anyone can show me, and prove to me, that I am wrong in thought
or deed, I will gladly change. I seek the truth, which never yet
hurt anybody. It is only persistence in self-delusion and ignorance
which does harm."
-- Marcus Aurelius, MEDITATIONS, VI, 21
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