Re: Immortality

From: Chris Russo (extropy@russo.org)
Date: Sun Dec 10 2000 - 18:19:52 MST


At 15:45 -0800 12/10/00, Jason Joel Thompson wrote:
>Again, you aren't proposing
>a means by which we *transfer* (MOVE!) or even change the original
>consciousness, but rather a means by which we *copy* it. I don't understand
>how you can hold the belief that there is an actual transference of
>consciousness happening here without some sort of appeal to mystical forces.

It's ironic that your mis/understanding of our argument leads you to
believe that we're proponents of "mystical forces", while our
mis/understanding of your argument leads us to believe that you're a
proponent of "mystical forces".

>If you secretly make a copy of me and activate it in Paris, how does that
>change my subjective experience?

Why on earth would you think that it should?

> Please describe in detail how information
>transfers the consciousness from Me 1, to Me-In-Paris.

What is this "consciousness" that you keep talking about that won't
be copied as information. That's the part that we're thinking sounds
"mystical".

Your "consciousness" is merely a part of your biological programming
- complicated programming beyond our current technological ability,
to be sure - but programming nevertheless. Why is there a need to
assume that it's something else?

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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