Download Guthrie answers a question that I asked recently in Interstellar Crossings. When a mind is downloaded before an interstellar crossing, the body is asleep and does not wake up. But that is the suicide option. Some people believe that suicide is a grave sin and some of us at least find it distasteful. But there are other options: either remain alive and awake and accept the approach of a sudden death in the planetary collision or pass into cold sleep shortly before the collision. In the latter case, you will, of course, die - that is inevitable - but you will not have taken your own life. To some of us, that makes a difference.
7 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
Even better evacuate residents of Demeter would leave in their bodies, to live on in O'Neill habitats.
Ad astra! Sean
Annoying, my comment above was garbled. I mean to say: "Even better, evacuate the residents of Demeter, to continue living in their bodies on O'Neill habitats."
Ad astra! Sean
I am maybe not posting any more this evening but am thinking about future posts.
If you go to sleep and "wake up" in a new body, there's continuity of consciousness, so you're still alive, as I see it.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
I do understand that, but it won't be much consolation for the "originals" still in their bodies and left behind.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean: not if they "go to sleep" when their consciousness is recorded.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
But I was suggesting the people of Demeter could have been evacuated to O'Neill habitats before the planet was destroyed. These, being the "originals," would have to stay behind if they uploaded their personalities, to be "awakened" at another star.
Ad astra! Sean
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