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<br>
John,<br>
<br>
These are great stories that illustrate the problem, but if you ask me
it's dumb to worry about any of this if this so far most popular theory
of consciousness turns out to be true:<br>
<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://canonizer.com/topic.asp/23/7">http://canonizer.com/topic.asp/23/7</a><br>
<br>
Within this theory, there is a description of what uploading will be
like in this extremely short story entitled 1229 years after Titanic
available here:<br>
<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://home.comcast.net/~brent.allsop/">http://home.comcast.net/~brent.allsop/</a><br>
<br>
If anyone thinks this isn't possible as described, of if they think
uploading like this doesn't completely eliminate all of these problems,
I'd sure love to capture such a point of view (POV) in either the
canonized topic on the Hard Problem, or in the feedback topic about the
story.<br>
<br>
Now we can finally stop arguing about this now resolved issue over and
over again right?<br>
<br>
Brent Allsop<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
John Grigg wrote:
<blockquote
cite="mid:2d6187670803081150t603472e9xf5df1f41896dde39@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite">
<div>Lee Corbin wrote:</div>
<div>Of course, there are many who will never believe that anything<br>
outside their own skin can be the same person that they are,<br>
and for them, your example isn't of any use. Too bad. Because<br>
in one sentence you've summarized exactly how personal identity<br>
will be handled in the future.</div>
<div>>>></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Continuity! Continuity! Continuity! lol I suffer almost
post-traumatic syndrome-type memories regarding this thread topic and
the other thread subject of gun control. ; ) </div>
<div> </div>
<div>I always liked the "self-circuit" idea of cryonics giant, Robert
Ettinger. I think a good story for exploring the idea of uploading and
identity is the one of two scientists who vehemently debate whether a
perfectly identical copy of you is TRULY and completely *you*. The two
scientists build a matter duplication device and the researcher who
believes a perfect copy is absolutely indistinguishable from himself in
all ways goes ahead and makes a copy of...., himself! The scientist
who had argued that a perfect copy was not to be confused with the
original very calmly takes a 44 magnum handgun from a desk drawer,
points it at the head of the original scientist (not the perfect in all
respects copy of him), and says, "now just how certain are you that
your life is utterly indistinguishable from your perfect copy?" LOL <br>
</div>
<div>There was an Outer Limits episode where a race of very
technologically advanced and yet pacifistic (roughly
human-sized) Saurians came to the aid of a very polluted and
over-populated Earth that is barely surviving. The aliens hold out the
promise of new worlds to explore and colonize due to the amazing
"teleportation" machines that they are willing to share with us. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>But their alien mentality is brought out when a female human
scientist is "teleported" to one of their worlds but the original woman
is left alive. It turns out their "teleportation devices" are simply a
very sophisticated duplication technology! They take it for granted
that the original traveler at point A is to be killed/vaporized
(according to their laws) as soon as the copy is successfully
created at point B. The idea of having multiple copies of the same
being running around is seen as highly unethical by the aliens and
so they demand the death of the women, or they will withdraw their
support from humanity. The human concept of a "self-circuit"
is totally irrelevant to the reptilian Saurians, who despite being
pacificists, still appear to be very cold and callous by human
standards. The human leader must make a very hard decision... The
plot was in spirit quite similar to the classic Tom Godwin science
fiction short story, "The Cold Equations." </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Stories can sometimes be good food for thought.</div>
<div><br>
John : )</div>
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