Immortality. Fact or Fiction?

[T_Bone]

Karlos wrote:

KennyR wrote:

Blobrana wrote:
twins are clones remember...

No they aren't. Different fingerprints and everything.

They are clones in the sense that they are genetically identical. However, its a common misconception that identical genes equates identical copy, which as you point out is not true. A great many natural structures in the body are fractal in nature and as such will differ slightly thanks to the influence of chaos as they grow and develop.

A perfect genetic clone of oneself would be no closer than one's own identical twin.

There is also evidence to suggest that there is some biological record of age that is not yet fully understood. Cloned animals have exhibited very rapid ageing effects that whould physically put them in a similar condition to the adult they were cloned from (Dolly the sheep was a classic example here).

That's facinating, it would be incredible if scientists could figure out how to "stop that clock" so to speak. It would be the bee's knees to implement a biological aging stasis at 29 years of age.
 I'd change my name to Lazarus Long and wear a kilt with a gun strapped to my inner thigh.  :-P

[T_Bone]

FluffyMcDeath wrote:
I heard of a nice little thought experiment which concerned the idea of artificial intelligence, can machines think, what is consciousness, etc, and also immortality of the mind.

So, how about, you get a small computer to take over the job of a set of neurons that are about to kick the bucket. You hook up your computer to all the little synapses that the old cells were talking to and you start the simulation. Can you tell the difference?

If not, repeat. Over many iterations, your brain should be completely replaced with computers, all without you even noticing so there is a continuity of consciousness. Now you are immortal (until the power cuts out). Your bits can be replaced indefinately.

Of course, it would be a pretty intellectual existance, unless someone can create an artificial twanger that can be plucked with as harmoniously as a natural one.

Think of the features you could add, why not have "save states" for emotions? I wonder if wives would get mad if instead of calling "God" or her name, if we yelled "Record!!!"  :lol:

[T_Bone]

Ima's avatar is really freaking me out.  :-o  :lol:

[T_Bone]

bloodline wrote:

If I recall, during the old biblical times, people lived 200 years or more.

 :lol: .... no wait... :roflmao:

They still do today, in a secret society known as the "Howard families."

 :-)

[T_Bone]

iamaboringperson wrote:

T_Bone wrote:
Ima's avatar is really freaking me out.  :-o  :lol:

Why?
:-D

At first it looked like a woman turned away, looking over her shoulder, then I blink and some old hag appeared. wierd picture.  :-P