A view on cryonics (was Re: [extropy-chat] Bad Forecasts!)

[Slawomir Paliwoda]

> Slawomir Paliwoda wrote:
> >
> > Suppose the location of any mind in the future is recorded using 4
> > parameters (x,y,z,t). At the moment of creation, my clone's mind will
> > necessarily occupy a different location than my original mind.
Therefore, I
> > will be able to prove my originality by presenting a log detailing
> > locations of my mind in space and time, which will show different values
for
> > x, y, z, and t from the values of someone who claims to be me. As long
as I
> > can show that the set of space-time position parameters for any two
minds
> > never share the same exact values, I will always be able to prove
identity
> > of any mind.
>
> This definition is trivial to deflate.  Just suppose that we interlace two
> sets of neurons and synapses, neither interconnected with the other, but
> both occupying the same volume of space.  Better yet, suppose that we run
> two minds on the same neurons, the neurons having time-sharing registers
> that swap between the two identities twenty times per second.  How does
> your spatial algorithm distinguish between these two minds?


The algorithm distinguishes between two minds by tracking their unique
trajectories not only in space, but also in time. Your argument *seems* to
rest on the assumption that just because the space-time parameters of two
minds register values that are very close, the trajectories will be
indistinguishable. Even though the values are going to be very close, they
will never be the same.

Let's use your example where minds A and B share the same computational
medium whose proverbial "CPU" swaps two identities every 1/20s.

The position of an electron that flows as part of mind A is recorded every
femtosecond. At time t1, the electron is at x, y, z, 1, and we record that
position in the log. Then, at time t2, we make a new entry, x+1,y+1,z+1, 2.
The entries pile up until CPU switches to mind B after 1/20s.

Now, suppose that an electron flowing as part of B makes the journey from x,
y, z, to x+1, y+1, z+1, just like the previous electron. However, this
particular electron's time parameter is not going to be 1 or 2 anymore. A's
record will then necessarily differ from B's reflecting different
trajectories of these two minds in space-time.

Now, think of the overall process and all the positions mapped by all points
of matter whose flow in space-time leads to the emergence of a mind. Unless
you find a way to make A and B's matter flow exactly within the same
location AND time, I will always be able to verify their identities by
investigating A and B's recorded trajectories in space-time.

Slawomir