IMMORTALITY:

PHYSICALLY, SCIENTIFICALLY, NOW

A reasonable guarantee of bo!l" #reser$at!on,
a general !s%uss!on, an resear%& targets'
b"
Nat&an (u&r!ng
) *+,-, b" t&e -.t& C' /oo0s Founat!on
1Co#"r!g&t E2#!re *++.3

L!brar" of Congress Catalog Car Nu4ber: ,-5--6-7
TA/LE OF CONTENTS
Fore8arn!ng *
C&a#ter *: Introu%t!on 9
C&a#ter -: Resear%& to (ate *+
C&a#ter 7: In T&e Ca$e 6*
C&a#ter 6: I44ortal!t" an Auto4ata !n F!%t!on 6:
C&a#ter :: I44ortal!t" as E$olut!onar" Aa#tat!on :6
C&a#ter ,: A P&!loso#&" for I44ortal!t" ,;
Posts%r!#t ;.
Sele%te /!bl!ogra#&" +.
C&a#ter Notes +-
-.t& Centur" /!bl!ogra#&" +:
Re<uest for Your O#!n!on +9
Ine2 ++
1
THE FOREWARNIN=
b"
Nat&an (u&r!ng
-.t& Centur" /oo0s
*:.. Har$ar N'W'
Was&!ngton +, ('C'
I 8!s& to 8arn "ou !44e!atel", !n a $er" !re%t an #ersonal 4anner, of
8&at !s to follo8' I t&!n0 I %an o t&!s best b" tell!ng "ou of t&!s boo0>s
or!g!n'
About f!$e "ears ago se$eral of us 8&o &a$e been a%t!$e !n =reat
/oo0s for4e a se#arate eu%at!onal #rogra4 to !4#ro$e on t&e or!g!nal
b" 4a0!ng !t 4ore %onte4#orar", s%!ent!f!%, an ger4ane to t&e e2!sten%e
of 4oern 4an' For t&e f!rst t!4e 8e &a to t&!n0 for oursel$es !n sur5
$e"!ng 4oern l!terature fro4 #oetr" to astro#&"s!%s an !n ?ug!ng 8&at
8as s!gn!f!%ant' T&ree "ears later !n s#rea!ng out fro4 t&e a%%e#te g!5
ants of our t!4e l!0e E!nste!n, Freu, Fra@er, S&err!ngton, Pa$lo$, an
Russell 8e began to rea %losel" an to anal"@e an !s%uss W!ener an
ot&er %"bernet!%!ans'
/e!ng a fer$ent a!%t of Ao"%e an Freu I 8as 8ell %on!t!one to
rea!ng !nto an" aut&or, es#e%!all" W!ener, strange an unusual 4ean5
!ngs' I %la!4e t&at W!ener>s boo0 %onta!ne e!t&er !ntent!onall" or un!n5
tent!onall" BB I &a no 8a" of tell!ng 8&!%& BB a 4essage about !45
4ortal!t"' T&e eu%t!on I re8 8as t&at !44ortal!t" 4!g&t e$entuall"
be%o4e a o8n5to5eart& #&"s!%al real!t" $!a s%!en%e' An t&at !n fa%t !s
t&!s boo0>s t&es!s' M" ?ob !n t&e rest of t&e boo0 !s !n large #art to tell
"ou 8&" t&!s 4a" be a startl!ng but reasonable &"#ot&es!s, an to tell "ou
&o8 "ou %an #ra%t!%all" go about best guarantee!ng "our #&"s!%al !45
4ortal!t" e$en !f "ou !e before t&e 4et&os of rean!4at!on an #rolon5
gat!on are #erfe%te'
I &o#e I a4 not e2aggerat!ng 8&en I sa" t&!s !s an astoun!ng an $!r5
tuall" unbel!e$able !s%o$er"' An I on>t 4ean t&at I 4ae t&!s !s%o$5
er"' I>4 ?ust tell!ng "ou about 8&at &as been !s%o$ere an %erta!n
#robab!l!t!es %on%ern!ng t&ese !s%o$er!es' It !s astoun!ng %ons!er!ng
t&e fantast!% #o8er an es!re an &o#e of !44ortal!t" t&roug& 4ost of
&!stor"' T&e es!re &as been so strong 8&en one %ons!ers t&e rel!g!ous
&ol of t&!s &o#e on &u4an!t" an t&e angu!s& of !nnu4erable 8r!ters
2
su%& as Cna4uno, D!er0egaar, (osto!e$s0", Ca4us an Pas%al, t&at !t
4a0es 4e oubt e$er" 8or I 8r!te %on%ern!ng t&!s outrageous #oss!b!l!5
t"' An "et 8&at a4 I to o about t&e e$!en%e I see before 4eE Re4a!n
<u!etE No' I 4ust s#ell !t out an as0 "ou 8&at "ou t&!n0 of !t'
T&!s I !, f!rst !n !s%uss!ons an later on #a#er' In !s%uss!on I 8as
4et 8!t& be4use an ner$ous aston!s&4ent b" so4e an blase a%%e#5
tan%e b" ot&ers' After all, for so4e s%!ent!f!% so#&!st!%ates of our t!4e,
not&!ng, absolutel" not&!ng !s !4#oss!ble: total ann!&!lat!on or !44ortal5
!t"'
T&ere 8as so4e %ons!erable t!4e ela#se bet8een t&e f!rst !s%uss!on
an e%!!ng to 8r!te about !t' One 4erel" $erbal!@e 8&at eu%t!$el"
see4e to follo8' T&en so4et&!ng of t&e !4#ortan%e of t&e !ea reall"
began to s!n0 !n 8!t& t!4e' T&e !4#ortan%e 8as re!nfor%e b" rea!ng
Pasterna0, Ca4us, an es#e%!all" Cna4uno' As alternat!$e 8a"s of
a%&!e$!ng t&e sa4e en b" ot&er t&an %"bernet!% 4et&os, I re%ons!ere
an furt&er !n$est!gate resear%& !n #&"s!olog" an b!olog"' T&ere I sa8
t&e #oss!b!l!t" of su##le4entar" an alternat!$e 4et&os to t&e sa4e
en' /ut 8as I elu!ng 4"selfE
S!n%e I 0ne8 of no one 8&o &a 8r!tten o8n t&!s #art!%ular %luster
of !eas, an as I en?o" #e##er!ng a8a" on t&e t"#e8r!ter, I 8rote !t
o8n an e2%&ange !t 8!t& a $er" ear #erson 8&o 8as t&en 8r!t!ng a
no$el' S&e rea !t f!rst 8!t& %al4 s"4#at&et!% !nterest, but bot& of us
%ouln>t &el# laug&!ng at su%& an outrageous &"#ot&es!s an t&e #&eno45
enal %&anges t&at 4!g&t follo8' S&e ga$e !t so4e t&oug&t for a 8ee0 an
at t&e ne2t sess!on tol 4e a stor" about a l!ttle bo" 8&o tol g!gant!%
tales, &alf out of ?o0!ng an &alf out of a <uest!onable gras# of real!t"' I
unerstoo, but 8&at 8as I to oE T&ere 8as t&e e$!en%e' T&ere 8ere
t&e state4ents t&at e$er" non5%onfor4!st 0no8s b" &eart about t&e %re5
at!$e #ro%ess: FE$er" ne8 an goo t&!ng !s l!able to see4 e%%entr!% an
#er&a#s angerous at f!rst gl!4#se, #er&a#s 4ore t&an 8&at !s reall" e%5
%entr!%, reall" !rrele$ant to l!fe G It re<u!res so4e %ourage to 4o$e
alone, often %ounter to #o#ular #re#ossess!ons, an to8ar un%erta!n5
t!es'H
*

T&us, I 0no8 of no 8a" but to as0 "ou to rea %arefull", 8e!g& !t #art
an #ar%el, e%!!ng for "ourself, or tell!ng 4e 8&ere #oss!ble, 8&at
stans or falls or !s !n nee of su##le4ent an a4en4ent'
Fra@er #ro$!es t&e 8ors !n 8&!%& I 4a" re#&rase t&e !le44a an
#er&a#s t&e solut!on:
F/ut ro8n!ng 4en %lut%& at stra8s, an 8e nee not 8oner t&at
t&e =ree0s, l!0e oursel$es, 8!t& eat& before t&e4 an a great lo$e
3
of l!fe !n t&e!r &earts, s&oul not &a$e sto##e to 8e!g& 8!t& too n!%e
a &an t&e argu4ents t&at tol for an aga!nst t&e #ros#e%t of &u4an
!44ortal!t"'
FW&en 8e refle%t u#on G t&e s%ant!ness of our !nfor4at!on G 8e
s&all be rea" to a%0no8lege t&at a full an sat!sfa%tor" solut!on of
so #rofoun a #roble4 !s &arl" to be &o#e for, an t&at t&e 4ost
8e %an o !n t&e #resent state of our 0no8lege !s to &a@ar a 4ore
or less #laus!ble %on?e%ture'H
An, !f t&!s %on?e%ture #ro$es not to f!t t&e f!n!ngs of s%!en%e or t&e
r!gor of log!%, 8e s&oul l!0e t&e %&a4eleon be 8!ll!ng to %&ange our
%olor as 8e 4o$e o$er a ne8 groun of fa%t an %onse<uen%e'
7
C&a#ter *
INTRO(CCTION
A &anful of #ro#&ets: H' =' Wells, =' /' S&a8, Aules Ierne,
Ca#e0, an Ts!ol0o$s0" 4ae so4e startl!ngl" a%%urate #re!%t!ons !n
t&e late *+t& an earl" -.t& %entur!es' T&e 4ore sober 4e4bers of
4an0!n ne$er &el to t&e4 ser!ousl", ne!t&er t&en nor no8, #ass!ng
t&e4 off as t&e su%%esses a4ongst t&e la8 of %&an%e' No 4atter &o8 !t
%a4e about BB an so4e of t&ese 4en 8ere of a%ute s%!ent!f!% uner5
stan!ng an broa #ers#e%t!$e BB 4an" of t&e #oss!b!l!t!es t&e" s#o0e
of ! %o4e to #ass: ro%0et tra$el, ato4!% energ", auto4atons t&at 8or0
!n off!%es an run fa%tor!es BB too 4an" to l!st'
No8 !n t&e last &alf of t&e -.t& %entur", to ta0e ser!ousl" t&at #&"s!%al
!44ortal!t", &ere on eart&, !s s%!ent!f!%all" #oss!ble !s al4ost as 4u%& as
rea4 %an en%o4#ass, %erta!nl" 4ore t&an sobr!et" %an allo8' T&!s !s
#er&a#s a ne%ess!t", for !t !s onl" 4ore absur to %&ase after e$er" Sout&
Sea bubble' An, e$er s!n%e #re&!stor!% 4an f!rst !4ag!ne t&e #oss!b!l!5
t" of l!fe fore$er, t&e %ountless roll!ng %entur!es &a$e not g!$en &!4 one
s&re of 4ater!al $er!f!able e$!en%e' No8, &o8e$er, 8&en so4e of t&e
s%!ent!f!% #oss!b!l!t!es a##ear on t&e &or!@on, so4eone &as to for4 t&e
<uest!on, %ons!er a re$ersal of t&e s0e#t!%!s4 engenere b" %entur!es
of !sa##o!nt4ent an #re#are t&e 8a" for t&e real!t" of t&e !n%re!ble'
To t&!n0 t&at !t 4!g&t %o4e to #ass, &ere on eart&, !s at f!rst for our
se%ular age, $!rtuall" !n%o4#re&ens!ble' An "et so4e of t&e latest s%!5
ent!f!% !s%o$er!es, es#e%!all" !n t&e f!els of %"bernet!%s an #&"s!olog",
an so4e of t&e best 4!ns of our generat!on 4a" &a$e guarel" of5
fere t&e suggest!on' T&!s %aut!on on t&e #art of t&e s%!ent!st !s natural,
for, t&oug& t&e future !s !n &!s bones, &!s 4et&o !n%l!nes &!4 to %aut!on
8!t& ef!n!te state4ents after t&e fa%t' S%!en%e f!%t!on 8r!ters !ffer
4ar0el"' T&e!r fun%t!on !s to e2#ress t&e #oss!b!l!t!es !4ag!nat!$el"'
T&e !44ortal!t" of 4an" of t&e!r &u4ans an robots !s a %o44on#la%e
for t&e4' Ho8e$er, our 8or0 &ere !s to e2a4!ne t&e 4!le groun be5
t8een t&e guare suggest!on an t&e fe$er!s& a%%e#tan%e' Let us turn to
t&e s%!ent!f!% suggest!ons f!rst'
T&e guare suggest!on of W!ener %o4es best t&roug& rea!ng an
8e!g&!ng &!s boo0s, &o8e$er, a fe8 #assages #ro$!e a start!ng #o!nt'
FT&e 4eta#&or to 8&!%& I e$ote t&!s %&a#ter !s one !n 8&!%& t&e or5
gan!s4 !s seen as 4essage' Organ!s4 !s o##ose to %&aos, to !s!n5
tegrat!on, to eat&, as 4essage !s to no!se'
FWe %an %ont!nue to l!$e !n t&e $er" s#e%!al en$!ron4ent 8&!%& 8e
%arr" for8ar 8!t& us onl" unt!l 8e beg!n to e%a" 4ore <u!%0l"
t&an 8e re%onst!tute oursel$es' T&en 8e !e'
FA #attern !s a 4essage, an 4a" be trans4!tte as a 4essage'
FTo re%a#!tulate: t&e !n!$!ual!t" of t&e bo" !s t&at of a fla4e
rat&er t&an t&at of a stone, of for4 rat&er t&an of a b!t of substan%e'
T&!s for4 %an be trans4!tte or 4o!f!e an u#l!%ate, alt&oug& at
#resent 8e 0no8 onl" &o8 to u#l!%ate !t o$er a s&ort !stan%e' It !s
a #attern 4a!nta!ne b" t&!s &o4eostas!s, 8&!%& !s t&e tou%&stone of
our #ersonal !ent!t"' We are not t&e stuff t&at ab!es, but #atterns
t&at #er#etuate t&e4sel$es'
FAn" s%ann!ng of t&e &u4an organ!s4 4ust be a #robe go!ng
t&roug& all of !ts #arts, an 8!ll a%%or!ngl" ten to estro" t&e t!s5
sue on !ts 8a"' To &ol an organ!s4 stable 8&!le #art of !t !s be!ng
slo8l" estro"e, 8!t& t&e !ntent!on of re5%reat!ng !t out of ot&er 4a5
ter!al else8&ere, !n$ol$es a lo8er!ng of !ts egree of a%t!$!t", 8&!%&
!n 4ost %ases 8oul estro" l!fe !n t&e t!ssue'H
T&e t&es!s also:
FIt !s 4" t&es!s t&at t&e #&"s!%al fun%t!on!ng of t&e l!$!ng !n!$!ual an
t&e o#erat!on of so4e of t&e ne8er %o44un!%at!on 4a%&!nes are #re%!se5
l" #arallel !n t&e!r analogous atte4#ts to %ontrol entro#" t&roug& fee5
ba%0 G In ot&er 8ors, t&e all5o$er s"ste4 8!ll %orres#on to t&e %o45
#lete an!4al 8!t& sense organs, effe%tors, an #ro#r!o%e#tors, an not as
!n t&e ultra5ra#! %o4#ut!ng 4a%&!nes, to t&e !solate bra!n, e#enent
for !ts e2#er!en%es an for !ts effe%t!$eness on our !nter$ent!on'H
The Human Use of Human Beings
T&us to restate an to roun out t&e !eas of W!ener fro4 t&e rat&er
!s?o!nte <uotat!ons, !t %an be sa! t&at t&ere !s so4et&!ng 4ore t&an a
roug& analog" bet8een so4e of t&e ne8er %o44un!%at!on 4a%&!nes an
t&e &u4an be!ng' In 4an" %ru%!al an s!gn!f!%ant res#e%ts t&e" 8!ll be
#re%!sel" #arallel' A 4a%&!ne %an be 4ae 8&!%& 8!ll %orres#on to t&e
%o4#lete an!4al, 4ean!ng e$entuall" to t&e %o4#lete &u4an' Progress
!s b" no 4eans e$en' T&e eu%t!$e t&!n0!ng %o4#onents 4a" no8 be
$astl" su#er!or to t&e e<u!$alent !n 4en' T&e %o4#a%tness, s"nt&es!s an
4ental #attern!ng ab!l!t" of 4en &o8e$er !s st!ll #resentl" su#er!or to
t&at of t&e ne8er %o44un!%at!on 4a%&!nes'
9
Pattern or 4essage 4a" be t&e %o44on eno4!nator, no 4atter &o8
%o4#le2 t&at #attern 4a" be' An" #attern or 4essage 4a" be trans4!t5
te or trans%r!be' It 4a" #ass t&roug& s#a%e anJor t!4e an be re5%re5
ate out of ot&er 4ater!al else8&ere' T&e #art!%ular substan%e !s largel"
!rrele$ant' T&ere %an be 8!e $ar!at!ons !n t&!s' T&e !4#ortant t&!ng for
#ersonal !ent!t" !s t&e #attern' An !f !t !s re%reate an re%onst!tute !n
t&e a##ro#r!ate for4 or #attern, our #ersonal !ent!t" rea##ears an l!fe
%ont!nues' More 8!ll be sa! later about t&e a##ro#r!ate for4, #attern
an stru%ture' T&e abo$e t&en !s a $er" general an tentat!$e outl!ne of
t&e cybernetic method' Ho8e$er, a nu4ber of ot&er 4et&os 8!t& an !n5
f!n!te nu4ber of $ar!at!ons are a$a!lable to s%!en%e bes!es t&e %"bernet!%
4et&o'
A se%on general %ategor" !s #&"s!olog!%al' W!t&!n t&!s general area
t&e regenerat!$e 4et&o an t&e trans#lantat!on 4et&o suggest so4e !n5
terest!ng #oss!b!l!t!es' T&e" are alternat!$e 4et&os 8&!%& offer !nterest
an su##ort for our general %ontent!on' If one 4et&o oesn>t 8or0 #er5
&a#s anot&er 8!ll' T&e $ar!ous 4et&os an t&e resear%& t&ere!n &as an
o$erla##!ng effe%t of &el#!ng sol$e #roble4s !n all!e f!els an a!!ng
!n t&e solut!on of t&e general #roble4' So4e of t&e f!n!ngs #erta!n!ng
to t&e regenerative method 4a" be allue to br!efl"' Later !n C&a#ter -
t&e" 8!ll be ta0en u# !n greater eta!l'
T&e rat&er s!4#le but s!gn!f!%ant #&eno4enon of %rusta%ea an ot&er
an!4als regenerat!ng lost l!4bs an ot&er organs 8as 0no8n to Ar!stotle
as 8ell as to ot&er obser$ers before &!4' T&e" often 4ae 4!sta0es !n
obser$at!on an !n t&e un%r!t!%al a%%e#tan%e of !nfor4at!on' Ar!stotle
t&oug&t t&at "oung s#arro8s 8&o &a t&e!r e"es #ut out %oul regenerate
ne8 ones, but es#!te t&e !n!$!ual 4!sta0es t&e" 8ere %ogn!@ant of t&e
fa%t of regenerat!on' T&e sal!ent fa%t !s t&at ne8 #arts are 4ae b" t&e
bo"' It %arr!es t&e s!gn!f!%an%e t&at !f t&!s !s one #er$as!$el" enoug&
t&e !n!$!ual e$entuall" rene8s &!4self' To a egree t&e &u4an bo"
oes t&!s e$er" a"' Relat!$el" eat& !s &el furt&er a8a"'
S#e%!f!% an rat&er ra4at!% e2a4#les of t&!s are foun !n %ra"f!s&,
%rabs, starf!s& an flat8or4s' Ea%& starf!s& &as f!$e or ten ar4s e#en5
!ng on t&e s#e%!es, ea%& ar4 of 8&!%& 4a" be se#arate fro4 t&e ot&ers
an "et !f !t &as so4e #ort!on of t&e %entral !s% t&e ot&er four or n!ne
ar4s an t&e rest of t&e bo" 8!ll be regenerate' =reater 0no8lege of
t&!s e2!sts %on%ern!ng sea5l!fe an less !fferent!ate an!4als but !t o%5
%urs !n all l!fe an !n 4an as 8ell, but !n a less ob$!ous for4' In 4en t&e
na!ls an t&e s0!n as 8ell as ot&er bo" %ells are %ont!nuousl" be!ng re5
#la%e' For 4ost #eo#le t&e &a!r !s %ont!nuousl" be!ng re#la%e e$en u#
to se$eral a"s after eat&' C&!lren re#la%e t&e!r f!rst set of teet&'
W!t&!n t&e bo" 8e 0no8 t&at t&e bo" flu!s, ele4ents an %ells are
%ont!nuousl" be!ng re#la%e' It re!nfor%es t&e not!on t&at t&e #attern !s
t&e t&!ng not t&e substan%e 8&!%& !s %ont!nuall" be!ng %&ange an"8a"'
Regenerat!on see4s to &a$e so4e ob$!ous !4#l!%at!ons for !44ortal!5
t" an for e$olut!on' Regenerat!on !n all an!4als !s a 4e%&an!s4 for sur5
$!$al an t&us for #utt!ng off eat& te4#orar!l" for t&e an!4al an rela5
t!$el" #er4anentl" for t&e s#e%!es' W&ere t&e organ!s4 !s %ont!nuousl"
sus%e#t!ble to t&e a%%!ental loss of a##enages or organs, t&e s#e%!es e!5
t&er e$ol$es t&e fa%!l!t" to regenerate t&e4 or fa!ls a%%or!ngl"' In &!s
struggle for sur$!$al !t !s $er" selo4, !n %o4#ar!son 8!t& t&e %rab, t&at a
4an loses a leg' If &e oes &e usuall" 4a0es an art!f!%!al one' It !s e$en
less often t&at a 4an, !n %o4#ar!son to so4e a4#&!b!a, loses an au!tor"
or an o#t!% ner$e, 8&!%& t&e" %an rea!l" regenerate' /ut 8&ere 4en
&a$e %ont!nuousl" use t&e!r regenerat!$e #o8ers, as !n t&e &eal!ng of
%uts an t&e 0n!tt!ng of bones, &e !s an e2a4#le of a l!fe #ro%ess 8&ose
fun%t!on !s %ont!nu!ng sur$!$al an forestall!ng eat&' T&ere !s no log!5
%al reason 8&" t&e forestall!ng of eat& %oul not be %ont!nuous !f 8e
0ne8 enoug& about t&e #ro%esses'
A t&!r 4et&o !s t&at of transplantation or e2%&ang!ng an subst!tut5
!ng a ne8 organ for t&e ol one' Innu4erable t"#es of e2%&anges &a$e
been tr!e' We 4ent!one t&e art!f!%!al leg' It 8oul see4 t&ere !s &ar5
l" an" l!4!t to t&e e$elo#4ent of art!f!%!al or s"nt&et!% organs an a#5
#enages, $ar"!ng fro4 better t&an t&e or!g!nal as !s often t&e %ase 8!t&
&a!r, teet& an so4e !nternal organs to t&at 8&!%& !s s!4#l" better t&an
not&!ng as !n t&e %ase of glass e"es, art!f!%!al legs an ar4s' Heart $al$es
of s!l!%on rubber an steel &a$e been e$elo#e to t&e e2tent t&at t&e"
are be!ng su%%essfull" use an #ro4!se &el# for t&ousans 4ore' An"5
one 8&o t&!n0s t&ere !s an" l!4!t to t&e organs t&at 4a" be subst!tute
s&oul %ons!stentl" all" t&e4sel$es 8!t& t&at %elebrate 4o$e4ent !n t&e
n!neteent& %entur" to %lose t&e #atent off!%e be%ause all of t&e !n$ent!ons
#oss!ble 8ere t&oug&t to be e2&auste'
P&"s!olog!%all" one of t&e 4ost stu!e an 0no8n !s t&e %orneal
trans#lants for t&e e"e' T&e r!g&ts of o#erat!on an re4o$al are eee
o$er before eat&' After eat& t&e %ornea !s re4o$e, fro@en an store
unt!l neee' T&e" &a$e been use after a storage of t8o "ears 8!t& no
&ar4ful effe%ts not!%e' E$en t&e %o4#lete &eas of so4e an!4als &a$e
been e2%&ange' T&us, t&e suggest!on !s re!nfor%e t&at eat& %oul be
#ut off !nef!n!tel" b" su%%ess!$e e2%&anges, 8&en t&!s s%!en%e e$elo#s
to 4atur!t"' T&e e$otee of t&!s 4et&o 4!g&t be%o4e !nt!4atel" fa4!l5
!ar 8!t& s&o8roo4s for ne8 s"nt&et!% organs an 8!t& o#erat!ng roo4s'
An" of t&ese t&ree 4et&os %oul a%&!e$e t&e a!4 or goal of !44or5
11
tal!t"' Ea%& 4a" %ontr!bute to t&e a%&!e$e4ent of t&e ot&ers or to so4e
as "et un!s%o$ere 4et&o' All of t&e4 are a##arentl" te4#orar!l"
&ol!ng off or #us&!ng ba%0 t&e absur 8all of eat&' T&e resear%& !n
t&ese f!els, 8&!%& 8e s&all s#ea0 of !n 4ore eta!l later, &as t&e sa4e
tenen%", to uner4!ne an to##le, at least a #ort!on of t&e absur 8all'
T&ere !s no reason to e2#e%t an" re$ersal' A%%or!ng to t&!s reason!ng,
t&oug& 4u%& 4ore resear%& !s ne%essar", #&"s!%al !44ortal!t" 4a" be
!ne$!table' KA$o!!ng total ann!&!lat!on of t&e s#e%!es Ho4o sa#!ens on
t&!s #lanet, !t !s ?ust a 4atter of t!4e an te%&nolog"'L
/es!es t&ese t&ree 4et&os, t&ere are ot&er !n!%ators an #ro%esses
!n nature t&at !n%rease our %onf!en%e !n t&e #oss!b!l!t", or better, t&e
#robab!l!t" of !44ortal!t"' Se$eral of t&ese 4a" be 4ent!one before
turn!ng to t&e #referen%e of one of t&e #oss!b!l!t!es of a 4ore #ra%t!%al
nature'
Nature !s no fore!gner to !44ortal!t"' Ea%& of us !s !44ortal as #art
of t&e ra%e or as #art of all l!fe' So4et&!ng of t&ose #r!st!ne %ells t&at
f!rst e$elo#e !n t&e 8ar4 seas #er&a#s a b!ll!on "ears ago %ont!nues !n
us an 8!ll %ont!nue !n ot&ers' As &u4ans 8e are of %ourse !ntereste !n
%ons%!ous %ont!nu!ng l!fe, 8&ereas be!ng a #art of t&e %ont!nu!ng 4ater!5
al of t&e un!$erse !s an un%ons%!ous an rat&er useless !44ortal!t", e25
%e#t as !t !n!%ates to t&e !n!$!ual t&at !44ortal!t" !n #r!n%!#le e2!sts'
T&e #roble4 4a" be fra4e !n one fas&!on for t&e !n!$!ual so t&at t&e
$!rtuall" enless %ont!nuan%e of t&e s#e%!es !s a$a!lable to &!4 #ersonal5
l"'
Nature also &as t&e e$!%e of reu%!ng 4etabol!% a%t!on to al4ost no
a%t!on for t&e #reser$at!on of l!fe unt!l %on!t!ons for a%t!$e #art!%!#at!on
are 4ore fa$orable' T&e 8oo%&u%0 an t&e bear &!bernate for long #e5
r!os ur!ng t&e 8!nter' Man" #lants 4a" be fro@en all 8!nter 4an" e5
grees belo8 @ero "et re%o$er !n s#r!ng' A s!4!lar #r!n%!#le a##ears !n t&e
sees 8&!%& &a$e been store !n Eg"#t!an to4bs so4e four or f!$e t&ou5
san "ears !n a es!%%ate %on!t!on, onl" to burst !nto l!fe u#on be!ng
#la%e !n t&e usual &u4! s#r!ng en$!ron4ent' T&!s #o!nts u# t&e fa%t
&o8 long a s!ngle !n!$!ual see, 8&!%& !n a sense !s %o4#arable 8!t&
an !n!$!ual, %an be #reser$e' A4ong t&e s!4!lar!t!es, t&e !fferen%es
are nu4erous but not o$er8&el4!ng' /ot& are 4ae of %ells' W&!le t&e
&u4an !s 4ae of b!ll!ons of %ells, t&e see &as 4erel" 4!ll!ons of %ells'
It !s rat&er an unerstate4ent to sa" t&e &u4an !s ob$!ousl" 4ore %o45
#le2 t&an t&e see' To es!%%ate a see, &ol!ng !t !n #otent!al rean!4a5
t!on !s #oss!ble an suggest!$e, but to es!%%ate a &u4an an &o#e to
&ol &!4 !n #otent!al rean!4at!on 8e generall" sa" 8oul be !4#oss!ble'
Ho8e$er, s!n%e 8e are !ntereste !n &u4ans es#e%!all", our attent!on
4!g&t be s&!fte fro4 #reser$at!on $!a e2tre4e r"ness to %ons!erat!on
of lo8 te4#eratures after e$ot!ng one 4ore #aragra#& to &!bernat!on
8&!%& !s 4ost often a%%o4#an!e b" lo8er!ng te4#eratures'
T&ere !s t&e t&eoret!%al #oss!b!l!t" t&at a 4an 4!g&t e2ten &!s l!fe5
t!4e -. t!4es or *6.. "ears !f &e %oul l!$e l!0e a bat as far as longe$!t"
!s %on%erne' It &as been foun t&at bats l!$e a##ro2!4atel" -. t!4es
longer t&an an!4als of s!4!lar 8e!g&t, #resu4abl" ue to &!bernat!on or
reu%e 4etabol!% rates 8&!le t&e" are &ang!ng !na%t!$e !n t&e!r %a$es'
Introu%!ng true &!bernat!on !n 4an !s no8 onl" a !4 #oss!b!l!t", but
enoug& of one t&at resear%& !s %ont!nu!ng !n t&!s !re%t!on' One of t&e
furt&er uses #ostulate !s t&at 4en 8oul t&en be able to tra$erse t&e un5
tol 4!ll!ons of 4!les ta0!ng %entur!es of t!4e to rea%& !stant star s"s5
te4s' T&e" 8oul re<u!re a##ro2!4atel" *J*..t& t&e a4ount of foo
an o2"gen of an a%t!$e #erson'
W&en !t %o4es to lo8 te4#erature stu!es an t&e!r relat!on to organ5
!s4s t&e s%!ent!f!% ?ournals are s#r!n0le 8!t& an !n%reas!ng nu4ber of
re#orts on t&e free@!ng an re$!$al of s4all an!4als bot& !n nature an !n
t&e laborator"' W&at are ter4e g!ant 4ult!5nu%leate s#er4at!s &a$e
been fro@en to 5;. Cent!grae an on re8ar4!ng re$!$e %o4#letel"'
T&e sa4e !s true of rats, 4on0e"s, an 4!%e t&oug& at te4#eratures ?ust a
l!ttle abo$e an belo8 @ero Cent!grae' Aure" S4!t&, a %areful %au5
t!ous s%!ent!st fro4 Lonon su4s !t u# for t&e #resent b" sa"!ng, FNo
oubt %on!t!ons a##ro#r!ate to ent!re organ!s4s 8!ll !n t!4e be eter5
4!ne, but !t !s !ff!%ult to !4ag!ne t&at t&ere are earl" #ros#e%ts of stor5
!ng 8&ole an!4als !n sol! %arbon !o2!e or !n l!<u! a!r'H T&e $ar!et"
of a%%o4#l!s&4ents, as sur#r!s!ng as so4e of t&ese, !s b" no 4eans at an
en' T&e tren %an onl" be to f!n 4et&os of #reser$at!on for longer
#er!os of t!4e an 4ore !4#ortant e$en better 4et&os of re$!tal!@at!on'
So far, a nu4ber of 4et&os !n!%at!ng &o8 eat& 4a" be #ost#one
&a$e ?ust been tou%&e u#on' T&e !4#l!%at!on &as been t&at t&e $ar!ous
4et&os BB %"bernet!% an #&"s!olog!%al BB &a$e %ons!ere #oss!b!l!5
t!es for #ost#on!ng eat& te4#orar!l" an, 8&en borer!ng on s%!en%e
f!%t!on, let t&e t&oug&t #ass t&at !t 4!g&t be a$o!e !nef!n!tel"'
Ho8e$er, su##ose "ou 8!s& to be !44ortal but to4orro8 "ou !e
fro4 an" one of a nu4ber of %auses' Are "ou out of lu%0 be%ause su%5
%essful rean!4at!on te%&n!<ues are not no8 a$a!lableE Are "ou out of
lu%0 be%ause s%!ent!sts an t&e %o44un!%at!on 4a%&!nes &a$en>t f!gure
out t&e #ra%t!%al 4et&os of resus%!tat!on or trans4!ss!on of &u4an to
re5%reate &u4anE T&e ans8er !s no' T&ere are nearl" al8a"s alterna5
t!$es !n l!fe' (es#!te "our re%ent an une2#e%te e4!se, all &o#e !s not
lost' An !n all of t&!s 8e are tal0!ng as a s%!ent!st 8oul about &!s un!5
13
$erse an t&!s eart&' He tal0s an t&!n0s !n #&"s!%al an 4ater!al ter4s'
In ter4s t&at &e %an %&e%0, 4easure, an 8e!g&, an !n ter4s t&at so4e5
one else us!ng t&e sa4e ste#s as &e, %an al8a"s get t&e sa4e results'
T&e ger4 suggest!on &as o%%urre #er&a#s 4an" t!4es !n !4ag!nat!$e
l!terature, later to be re!nfor%e b" s%!ent!f!% resear%&' One lo%at!on !s !n
Ma"a0o$s0">s, FT&e /ebug'H A #roletar!an lout on a b!nge 8!t& so4e
of &!s fr!ens !s fro@en to eat& b" &!s o8n %arelessness !n a Mos%o8
suburb for so4e f!ft" "ears unt!l &e !s re$!$e b" a s%!ent!f!% resus%!ta5
t!on grou#' T&e resus%!tat!on !s rat&er %rue, re4!n!ng one of so4e
Fran0enste!n 4o$!e, but !s 4eant to be a %o4e" 8!t& ser!ous o$ertones,
an t&e outl!ne of t&e 4et&o !s t&ere'
S!4!larl" t&e outl!ne %an be use b" t&e rest of 4an0!n unt!l su%&
t!4e as auto4ata an t&e s%!ent!sts f!gure out a #er&a#s su#er!or 8a" of
4a!nta!n!ng l!fe' Aust as t&e bo" !n t&e %o4e" !s fro@en, so !t 8oul
a##ear, !n l!eu of an" better suggest!ons, t&at t&!s 8oul be t&e best 8a"
for us to #ro%ee' Present s%!ent!f!% resear%& see4s to !n!%ate t&!s
8oul be t&e best 8a", !n general, to store t&e bo" unt!l te%&n!<ues of
resus%!tat!on an t&e #ost#on!ng of eat& are #erfe%te' T&!s 4et&o of
free@!ng !s t&en a #oss!b!l!t" for e$entuall" efeat!ng eat&'
T&ere are no8, of %ourse, a 4!ll!on <uest!ons' Su##ose #eo#le e%!5
e t&!s 8as t&e!r best bet for future #&"s!%al !44ortal!t", !t 8oul at least
be 8ort& a tr", no &ar4 !n tr"!ng, an t&e" 8ere %ur!ous 8&at so4e later
%entur" 8as l!0e' Ho8 8oul one go about t&e free@!ngE W&ere 8oul
t&e bo" be storeE If 4an" #eo#le tr!e !t, 8oul t&ere be enoug& roo4
for all t&e bo!esE Con%ern!ng t&e free@!ng of t&e bo", let us ta0e t&e
&"#ot&et!%al 4an 8&ose re%ent an une2#e%te e4!se #uts &!4 !n l!ne'
T&!s &"#ot&et!%al #erson !s ea, t&en' H!s relat!$es, or an"one %on5
%erne, f!ns t&at &!s 8!s& !s to &ol &!s bo" !n fro@en storage' KHe 4a"
&a$e f!lle out t&e for4 foun on #age ,-, %&a#ter :, an #la%e !t !n &!s
8allet'L T&us, &e !s ta0en to t&e free@!ng #lant as <u!%0l" as #oss!ble an
entere for free@!ng' Probabl" t&e or!nar" slo8 free@!ng of a %ol stor5
age lo%0er !s t&e 4ost #ra%t!%al an reasonable' Nu4erous e2#er!4ents
&a$e been %arr!e out 8!t& e2tre4el" ra#! an $er" ee# free@!ng, but
for %o4#le2 $ertebrates slo8 free@!ng a##ears t&e better'
After or ur!ng free@!ng t&e #erson s&oul #robabl" be #ut !n a su!t5
able %as0et 4ar0e 8!t& &!s na4e an ot&er rele$ant !nfor4at!on' He
%oul, of %ourse, be left !n t&e %ol storage lo%0er !nef!n!tel", but !t
see4s reasonable t&at t&ere !s a 4ore rel!able 4et&o of long ter4 stor5
age' It !s #robable t&at natural storage !n t&e #er4afrost areas of t&e
eart& 8oul be 4ost rel!able an least e2#ens!$e !n ter4s of 4one" an
s#a%e' Nearl" all of =reenlan, e2%e#t so4e %oastal str!#s, 4u%& of
Alas0a an nort&ern Canaa an an !44ense reg!on !n Euras!a !s %ont!n5
uous an e#enable #er4afrost' It e2tens belo8 t&e Ar%t!% %!r%le to
a##ro2!4atel" ,: egrees Nort&' T&e groun te4#erature at a e#t& of
7.5:. feet !s generall" belo8 5: C' T&e #er4afrost !#s to e#t&s of
-... feet !n Nor$!0 S!ber!a BB t&at>s nort&ern S!ber!a of %ourse BB
an *... feet at /arro8 Alas0a' A%%or!ng to t&e 1950 Annual Report
of the mithsonian on #er4afrost, t&e FNatural %ol storage e2%a$at!ons
are use 8!el" !n areas of #er4afrost' T&e" are 4ost sat!sfa%tor" !n
%ont!nuous or !s%ont!nuous @ones' G Pro#erl" %onstru%te an $ent!lat5
e storeroo4s 8!ll 0ee# 4eat an ot&er #rou%ts fro@en for "ears'H
T&us, !t 8oul be 4ore rel!able an 4u%& less e2#ens!$e %ons!er!ng t&e
%ost of refr!gerat!on an t&e 4an" brea0o8ns t&at %an o%%ur, to rel" on
natural storage, es#e%!all" 8&ere t&e 8a!t 4!g&t run f!ft" "ears or 4ore'
In our &"#ot&et!%al %ase, t&e free@!ng &as been one an t&e #roble4
!s to trans#ort t&e bo" to a #er4afrost reg!on, !nter !t safel", 1an3
re%or !ts lo%at!on %arefull" for future resus%!tat!on'
As an enter#r!s!ng !n!$!ual 4a" ta0e %are of all of t&e eta!ls eas!l"
enoug&, 4an" ot&er !n!$!uals #refer to turn su%& a tas0 o$er to so4e
!nst!tut!on 8&!%& &as t&e !nterest, resear%&, an %ont!nu!t" to %o4#re&en
t&e #ro%ess o$er 8&at 4!g&t be a lengt&" #er!o of t!4e' L!0e8!se, !t !s
8ell !f t&!s !nst!tut!on #ro$!es a %entral re%or e#os!t an !nfor4at!on
%enter for all #ersons 8!s&!ng resus%!tat!on an tens as far as !s #oss!ble
to t&e!r e2a%t 8!s&es' It s&oul e$entuall" go uner t&e %ontrol of t&e
Cn!te Nat!ons'
Ho8e$er, unt!l t&e Cn!te Nat!ons be%o4es a%<ua!nte 8!t& t&!s #ro5
%eure, s%!ent!f!%all" e$aluates !t, #asses t&e ne%essar" leg!slat!on, an
!n%or#orates t&e #rogra4, a s%!ent!f!% an eu%at!onal #rogra4 b" t&e
na4e of -.t& Centur" /oo0s 8!ll %arr" on t&ese a%t!$!t!es to t&e best of
!ts ab!l!t"' T&!s organ!@at!on %an ser$e a nu4ber of fun%t!ons to o 8!t&
eu%at!on, !nfor4at!on, an re%ors' C#on "our !nstru%t!on !t %an re%or
t&e fa%t t&at "ou 8!s& to &a$e "our bo" fro@en u#on eat& an #re5
ser$e for resus%!tat!on' T&!s %an #ro$!e a ouble %&e%0 !n %ase t&e
state4ent 8&!%& 8oul nor4all" be about "our #erson !nstru%t!ng free@5
!ng 8as absent' For e2a4#le, eat& b" ro8n!ng, et%' Se%on, !t %an
#ro$!e an eu%at!onal #rogra4 8&!%& generall" or!ents one to t&e -.t&
%entur" un!$erse an !ts 4an!fol #oss!b!l!t!es' T&!r !t %an en%ourage
an 0ee# abreast of t&e resear%& rele$ant to t&e ens of resus%!tat!on an
#&"s!%al !44ortal!t"' If "ou !e before t&e brea0t&roug&s !n resus%!ta5
t!on an trans4!ss!on &a$e %o4e, an "ou are fro@en, !t %an a! !n t&e
storage of "our bo", re%or!ng t&e lo%at!on an all rele$ant !nfor4at!on'
In su4, !t %an a! !n an" fun%t!on ne%essar" to lett!ng #eo#le 0no8 t&at
15
su%& an o##ortun!t" e2!sts an en%o4#ass!ng t&e en of #&"s!%al !44or5
tal!t" !f t&e" s&oul so reg!ster t&at es!re'
No8 let us su##ose t&at !t !s t&e "ear t8o t&ousan an so4et&!ng' It
!s t&e t!4e 8&en t&e #ro%esses of resus%!tat!on an trans4!ss!on &a$e
been #ra%t!%all" a%&!e$e' T&ere 4a" be 4ore t&an one #ro%ess of trans5
4!ss!on' We %an &arl" #re!%t all t&e #ro%esses 8&!%& 4!g&t %o4e !nto
be!ng' T&e #roble4s of re#la%!ng #arts 4a" also &a$e been relat!$el" ef5
fe%t!$el" sol$e' Probabl" a nu4ber of a$enues an $ar!at!ons 8!ll be
o#en to t&e l!$!ng an t&e ea'
T&e l!$!ng 4!g&t s!4#l" re#la%e #arts an sta$e off eat& !nter5
4!nabl"' T&e #ro%ess of ag!ng %ontrol 4a" also be !n effe%t 8&!%&
8ouln>t 4a0e !t so ne%essar" to re#la%e #arts' It 8oul a##ear t&at
so4e of %onte4#orar" b!olog!%al resear%& &as t&!s !n 4!n'
For t&ose !n fro@en storage, se$eral a$enues 4a" o#en' T&e f!rst a$5
enue 4a" be s!4#le resus%!tat!on' If "ou !e of a &eart atta%0, t&e &eart
4a" be re#a!re or re#la%e' For t&ose 8&o !e of ot&er %auses, t&e
#roble4 of resus%!tat!on or rean!4at!on 4a" be e$en less for4!able'
T&!s %erta!nl" oesn>t 4ean t&e #roble4 !s s!4#le, or t&at 8e 0no8 all of
t&e eta!ls no8, but !t oes 4ean t&at !t !s t&eoret!%all" #oss!ble 1a solu5
t!on 8!ll be foun3' It !s #er&a#s !44ensel" !ff!%ultM 4u%& e2tens!on of
t&e resear%& one no8 8!ll &a$e to be a%%o4#l!s&e, but 8&at resear%&
&as been one !s <u!te &o#eful an suggest!$e'
FRean!4at!on of !%e5%ol rats !s a%&!e$e b" art!f!%!al res#!rat!on an
s!4#le !rra!at!on 8!t& a ben%& la4#'H KAnnual Revie! of "hysiolo#
gy, Iol' -*, *+:+, see resear%&es of =ol@$e!g an S4!t&'L
FS4!t& su%%eee !n resus%!tat!ng golen &a4sters fro4 %ool!ng to
5: egrees Cent!grae !nternal bo" te4#eratureM re%o$er" !s #oss!5
ble e$en !f :. #er%ent of t&e bo" 8ater &as been fro@en'H KAnnual
Revie! of "hysiology, Iol' -*, *+:+'L
It see4s reasonable t&at b" so4et!4e 8!t&!n t&e ne2t %entur" t&e re5
sear%&ers 8!ll &a$e 4o$e fro4 golen &a4sters, %ats an ogs to su%5
%essful resus%!tat!on of 4en, e$en t&oug& t&e" 4a" &a$e been fro@en for
%ons!erable #er!os of t!4e' Mon0e"s &a$e been reu%e to @ero e5
grees Cent!grae bo" te4#erature, %ar!a% stanst!ll, an resus%!tate
8!t&!n one or t8o &ours' So t&!s 4eans t&at resear%&ers are su%%essfull"
%l!4b!ng t&e e$olut!onar" s%ale, but t&e t!4e 4ust be lengt&ene %ons!5
erabl"' $f t&e re#orts are true t&at bot& gu!nea #!gs an ogs &a$e been
re$!$e fro4 a fro@en %on!t!on, after fro4 t8o to t8ent"5t8o a"s an
after t&!rteen a"s res#e%t!$el", #rogress 8oul see4 to be go!ng on !n
t&e t!4e !re%t!on also' T&us, 8e are assu4!ng t&at resus%!tat!on 4a" be
#oss!ble !f t&e" &a$e a #ro#erl" fro@en bo"'
Su##os!ng our &"#ot&et!%al 4en are resus%!tate, a se%on a$enue
4a" la" o#en to t&e4' If t&e" &a$e not been as0e before eat& BB or
e$en !f t&e" &a$e BB t&e" 4a" be br!efe on t&e latest s%!ent!f!% o##or5
tun!t!es an as0e aga!n 8&at t&e!r %&o!%e !s a4ong t&e o##ortun!t!es
a$a!lable' T&e" 4a" be as0e !f t&e" 8!s& to go on l!$!ng !n t&e!r #resent
bo", 8!t& #arts re#la%e 8&en ne%essar", or BB 8oul t&e" #refer an5
ot&er bo" 8&!%& 4!g&t be betterE Per&a#s our resus%!tate 4an 8!ll
ta0e one loo0 aroun !n t&e -*st %entur", an sa", FPut 4e ba%0 to
slee#'H It !s re#eatel" e4#&as!@e t&at &!s 8!s&es are to be res#e%te' If
t&!s !s 8&at t&e #erson es!res t&en &e !s to be #ut to rest aga!n' Ho8e$5
er, t&!s see4s to be an unnatural res#onse' T&e 4ore nor4al rea%t!on
8oul l!0el" be to %&oose &!s #resent #roto#las4!% e2!sten%e unt!l t&e !n5
!$!ual %oul #ersonall" sur$e" an e$aluate t&e !nfor4at!on a$a!lable'
As &e oes t&!s, &e 8!ll be able to obser$e t&e a$a!lable alternat!$es !n
greater eta!l'
One alternat!$e 4a" be to be s%anne, as W!ener #ostulates, an
trans4!tte !nto a 4ore $!able &u4an bo" "et, 4a!nta!n!ng &!s bas!% !n5
!$!ual #ersonal !ent!t"'
A se%on alternat!$e !s to be trans4!tte fro4 &!s bo" to a 4etall!%
an #last!% bo" 8&!%& 4!g&t &a$e 4an" a$antages' T&e bas!% a$an5
tage be!ng t&at !ts stru%ture !s less sus%e#t!ble to t&e ag!ng #ro%esses t&at
o%%ur !n t&e #roto#las4!% bo" as 8e 0no8 !t' Per&a#s ?ust as bas!% an
ste44!ng fro4 t&e nature of t&e 4etal an #last!% stru%ture !s t&e o##or5
tun!t" for greater eff!%!en%"'
At an e$en furt&er rea%& of t&e !4ag!nat!on, !nas4u%& as #atterns are
u#l!%atable, t&e #erson !n <uest!on %oul s!4ultaneousl" tr" se$eral
4oes of e2!sten%e, !'e', &!s for4 ?ust #re$!ous to eat&, or a #las5
t!%54etall!% for4' Co4#ar!ng e2!sten%es t&e" %oul #ro%ee fro4 t&ere
!n an" one of se$eral for4s' If bot& for4s %ont!nue to e2!st, W!ener
suggests t&e" ea%& 8oul !n%reas!ngl" be%o4e se#arate, !st!n%t an !f5
ferent !n!$!uals 8!t& t&e #assage of t!4e, ue to t&e !fferen%e !n stru%5
ture an t&e !4#oss!b!l!t" of u#l!%ate e2#er!en%es' It !s assu4e t&at
4ost !n!$!uals, !f t&e" !n$est!gate t&e #oss!b!l!t!es o#en to t&e4,
8oul %&oose t&e non5#roto#las4!% bo"'
You 8!ll be fa%e 8!t& ne8 #roble4s, !t goes 8!t&out sa"!ng' No
t"#e of %ons%!ous !ntell!gent e2!sten%e !s !44une to !ff!%ult e%!s!ons'
/ut t&e" are not&!ng t&at reason an o#t!4!s4 %annot sur4ount' T&!s
&as been t&e 8a" t&roug& later e$olut!on, an !t !s oubtful !f !t 8!ll
%&ange 8!t&!n a %entur" or so to %o4e' In t&e #ast !f a #erson 8as nega5
17
t!$e, e2tre4el" #ess!4!st!%, or su!%!al, &e #asse !nto obl!$!on an t&e
4ore &ar" s#e%!4ens an t&e!r #rogen" sur$!$e' T&!s !s #robabl" t&e
8a" !t 8!ll be !n t&e future' In t&ese #roble4s of t&e future, after resus%!5
tat!on an rean!4at!on, !t see4s 8!se not to atte4#t to go too far, for 8e
&a$e alrea" rea%&e a r!!%ulous e2tre4e' Our 4a!n #roble4 re$ol$es
aroun t&e #oss!b!l!t" an #robab!l!t" of #&"s!%al !44ortal!t" an to a
4!nor e2tent t&e effe%ts' So4e of t&e future #roble4s, su%& as t&e fear of
%ro8!ng, t&oug&, 8!ll !ne$!tabl" %o4e u# !n %on$ersat!on' If t&ese an
a fe8 ot&ers, 8&!%& 8!ll be %ons!ere later, are not !s#elle, t&e" 4a"
&a$e an !n&!b!t!ng effe%t on tr"!ng for #&"s!%al !44ortal!t"'
T&us, 8&at !s t&e rele$ant s!gn!f!%an%e for "ou no8E In s&ort, !t !s
t&at "ou 4a" be !44ortal no8N T&at !s t&e #oss!b!l!t" as !t e2!sts' An
t&at "ou 8!ll onl" be%o4e !44ortal, #&"s!%all", !f "ou a%t, 4a0e a e%!5
s!on t&at t&!s !s 8&at "ou es!re' It 4a" &a$e to be no8, !f t&ere !s a an5
ger of "!ng before t&e brea0t&roug&s !n trans4!ss!on, ag!ng %ontrol or
trans#lant!ng o%%ur' As far as 8e 0no8, t&e resear%& 8!ll ta0e t!4e, ef5
fort an 4one"' An !t 8!ll ta0e longer s!n%e t&e 8orl !s or!ente no8
to eat& an estru%t!on, or at least trea!ng near to t&e br!n0, rat&er t&an
to %ons%!ousl" lengt&en!ng l!fe !n general' So !f "ou are !n anger of
eat&, an all of us are, t&e safest an 4ost rat!onal #ro%eure !s to #re5
#are "ourself for t&e #oss!b!l!t" of !44ortal!t" b" reg!ster!ng "our es!re
to be store !n a fro@en state unt!l t&e ne%essar" resear%& !s %o4#lete'
Pre#are "ourself b" 0no8!ng "ourself an t&e 4an!fol #oss!b!l!t!es of
t&e un!$erse t&at are o#en to "ou, an reg!ster "our %&o!%e for #&"s!%al
!44ortal!t" no8'
C&a#ter -
RESEARCH TO(AY
%eath and Biology
(eat& &as a 4ult!tue of %auses' T&e ol 4oral!t" #la"s 8ere a%%u5
rate to t&e e2tent t&at t&e" es%r!be t&e ol %&u%0ler %o4!ng to 4en,
8o4en an %&!lren an all ot&er sent!ent be!ngs !n 4an" gu!ses' Peo#le
4a" !e l!0e fl!es !n geno%!al 8ars, t&e" 4a" !e !solate $!olent eat&s,
t&e" 4a" %o44!t su!%!e or t&e" 4a" ?ust gro8 ol an !e' T&oug& t&e
8&ole s#e%!es 4a" !e of t&e f!rst, so far !t &asn>t &a##ene, an t&e last:
gro8!ng ol an "!ng naturall" !s t&e 4ore nor4al %on!t!on of 4en'
Man" of t&e stu!es of ag!ng an eat& !n!%ate t&at !t !s e$entuall" a
%&e4!%al, 4ole%ular, %ellular sto%&ast!% #ro%ess' It 4a" be re4e4bere
t&at a4ongst t&e s!2t" t&ousan b!ll!on %ells t&at %o4#ose t&e a$erage
bo" so4e f!$e &unre t&ousan 4!ll!on %ells !e e$er"a" an &a$e to
be re#la%e' In ol age !t !s %o44on t&at t&e re#la%e4ent rate slo8s'
(eat& an re5%reat!on are a #art of e$er" l!$!ng !nstant for t&e bo"' An
eat& for t&e 8&ole organ!s4 see4s to be !nt!4atel" %onne%te 8!t& %el5
lular re#la%e4ent, %ellular !$!s!on, 4ole%ular e$elo#4ents an t&e re5
u%t!on of reser$e %a#a%!t!es'
Oler #ersons are t&oug&t of as be%o4!ng 4ore r!g!, less able to
learn, to %&ange, to 4en t&e oler t&e" be%o4e' T&!s #robabl" !s %&ar5
a%ter!st!% of t&e #erson as a total!t" as 8ell as of &!s se#arate organs an
%ells' An 8!t&!n t&e %ells !t e2tens r!g&t o8n to t&e substan%es an
4ole%ules t&at go to for4 t&e %ells' FT&e &"#ot&es!s &as been a$an%e
t&at ag!ng #rou%es greater r!g!!t" !n t&e %ollagen 4ole%ule, be%ause of
!n%rease %&e4!%al %ross5l!n0!ng bet8een s#!ral strans of t&e 4ole%ule
an bet8een t&e %ollagen f!br!ls t&e4sel$es'H
*
In so4e general sense
8&en t&e r!g!!t!es !n%rease to t&e e2tent t&at t&e organ!s4>s reser$e %a5
#a%!t!es %an no longer 4eet t&e %ont!ngen%!es of nature, eat& ga!ns o5
4!n!on'
As far as l!fe #ro%esses are %on%erne, t&e" are a##arentl" e2tre4el"
%o4#le2 sto%&ast!% 4ole%ular #ro%esses 8&!%& e$entuall" s%!ent!sts 4a"
%ontrol an u#l!%ate' FSto%&ast!%,H or ne%essar"5se<uen%e #ro%ess &as
be%o4e a 4ust5ter4 !n t&e $o%abular" of bot& t&e !ntelle%tual an t&e
#retener ?ust as &as Fs"nro4e,H Ffeeba%0,H F#ara4eter,H
F%"bernet!%sH an Fentro#"'H As b!olog!sts learn 4ore about t&ese
sto%&ast!% #ro%esses an t&e %o!ng of t&e %ells t&e" a##roa%& e$er %loser
to t&e t!4e 8&en t&e" 4a" be able to s"nt&es!@e #roto#las4 an l!fe'
19
(r' W' M' Stanle", for !nstan%e, !s <u!te ef!n!te an o#t!4!st!% about
t&e #oss!b!l!t!es of s"nt&es!@!ng l!fe an !ts effe%ts' FTa!lor4ae l!$!ng
4atter 8!ll be %reate !n t&e laborator" an fro4 t&!s Of!rst, long ste#,>
s%!ent!sts 8!ll go on to %ontrol &u4an %&ara%ter!st!%s of all l!fe'H
-
T&!s
&e #ostulates 8!ll lea to sol$!ng #ol!t!%al an e%ono4!% #roble4s an to
Fbetter!ng t&e lot of 4an0!n of eart&'H Presu4abl" t&!s Nobel Pr!@e
8!nner 8oul grant t&at !f l!fe %an be %reate, e$entuall", !n t&eor" an
t&en !n real!t", &u4an l!fe %oul be s"nt&es!@e'
T&e &u4an bo" s"nt&es!@es l!fe %ont!nuousl"' A4ongst t&ose s!2t"
t&ousan b!ll!on %ells t&at 4a0e u# an a$erage &u4an, f!$e &unre
t&ousan 4!ll!on, or fro4 one to t8o #er%ent of all %ells are s&e an re5
4ae e$er" -6 &ours' About se$ent" t&ousan 4!ll!on of t&ese e2!t $!a
t&e !ntest!nes' In a 8a" 8e are %ont!nuousl" %ann!bal!@!ng or #er&a#s
s%a$eng!ng oursel$es, 8&!%& !n t&!s %ase !s for our o8n goo, for an"
sto# to t&!s #ro%ess 8oul lea to stas!s, %&aos an eat&' Ta0en fro4
t&e %ellular stan#o!nt an g!$en t&e !nta0e of foo !nto t&e bo", t&e
s"nt&es!s of l!fe o%%urs b" %ellular 4!tos!s, or s#l!tt!ng of t&e %ell an a
gro8t& #ro%ess unt!l t&e ne8 %ell &as rea%&e t&e s!@e of !ts ne!g&bors'
T&!s !sn>t %ons!ere <u!te so ra!%al as %reat!ng l!fe !n t&e laborator", but
t&ere !s 4u%& 4"ster" atta%&e to !t none t&e less' It !s rat&er re4ar0able
t&at t&e bo" re#la%es about t&e sa4e nu4ber of %ells as !e ea%& a"'
/ut 8&en a %rab loses a %ons!erable aggregate of %ells l!0e a leg, &o8
oes !t %o4e about t&at t&e bo" !s able to re#rou%e anot&er legE After
all e$en a leg !s <u!te a %o4#l!%ate stru%ture' We feel sure t&e %rab
F0no8sH not&!ng %ons%!ousl" of t&e leg be!ng 4!ss!ng' T&ere !s no %on5
s%!ous 8!ll!ng to %reate a leg' T&e bo" of t&e %rab ne$ert&eless goes
about an a%%elerate 4!tot!% #ro%ess, %ell after %ell !$!!ng an e2ten5
!ng unt!l t&e leg !s re#la%e' It 4a" be t&at t&e %rab>s bo" %ells !n effe%t
%onta!n a %o!ng s"ste4 8&!%& !ssues !re%t!ons for regenerat!$e gro8t&
unt!l e<u!l!br!u4 !s restore' So4et&!ng s!4!lar 4a" o%%ur 8!t&!n t&e
&u4an as &e loses %ells e$er"a"' T&e regenerat!$e #ro%ess !s a##ro2!5
4atel" t&e sa4e 8&et&er !t !s t&e nor4al re#la%e4ent of &u4an %ells, t&e
re#a!r of a 8oun, or t&e re#la%e4ent of an ent!re organ as t&e leg of t&e
%rab, e2%e#t t&at t&e %rab e$!entl" &as a 4ore e2tens!$e %o!ng s"ste4'
E$olut!onall" regenerat!on &as %ons!erable aa#t!$e s!gn!f!%an%e'
W&ere !t !s FneeeH !t ta0es #la%e' W&ere t&e %rab often loses a leg, but
4a" not ot&er8!se be !4#a!re, &!s bo" gro8s a ne8 one' It !s b" no
4eans l!4!te to un!fferent!ate an!4als but as !n!%ate !s %arr!e on
an e$en o%%as!onall" !4#ro$e u#on b" &!g&er an!4als' /ut 4en sel5
o4 lose legs, relat!$el" s#ea0!ng !n %o4#ar!son 8!t& %rabs, an 8&en
t&e" o t&e" no8 4a0e art!f!%!al ones' T&!s !s #robabl" t&e 8a" !t 8!ll
%ont!nue' Ho8e$er, so4et&!ng 4a" %o4e of t&!s regenerat!$e 4et&o as
s%!ent!sts learn 4ore about !t' It 4!g&t be t&at !t 8!ll be%o4e #oss!ble to
regenerate organs t&at are 8orn out, but one s&ouln>t &ol one>s breat&
8a!t!ng for !t' More l!0el" b!olog!sts 8!ll learn 4ore about t&ese
sto%&ast!% an %o!ng #ro%esses 8&!%& 8!ll l!0e8!se enable 4an to ela"
eat& an "et reta!n a $!able stru%ture'
"hysiology
W!t&!n t&e f!el of #&"s!olog" t&ere are grou#s of resear%&ers 8&o
&a$e e$elo#e a $!rtuall" 4etabol!% !nterest !n lo8 te4#erature an !ts
effe%t on organ!s4s' T&e #ra%t!%al an t&eoret!%al !nterest of t&ese stu5
!es an %on!t!ons, Fsu%& as &"#ot&er4!a &as le to an enor4ous !n%rease
of l!terature,H
7
!n t&!s f!el' Let us %ons!er nature outs!e of t&e %on5
trolle laborator" %on!t!ons f!rst'
It 8as 4ent!one t&at S!ber!a an #la%es l!0e Alas0a, Nort&ern Cana5
a, an Nort&ern Euro#e, &a$e #lants an an!4als t&at sur$!$e !n an
t&roug& unbel!e$abl" fr!g! %on!t!ons' It g!$es one #ause for t&oug&t'
Ho8 %oul an" %ellular stru%ture 8!t&stan su%& te4#eraturesE Wouln>t
t&e !%e for4!ng 8!t&!n t&e %ell burst t&e 8allsE E$en !f t&e" ! sur$!$e
t&e e2#ans!on of 8ater free@!ng, &o8 8oul t&e" e$er start u# aga!n !n
t&e s#r!ngE
It see4s t&at t&e %ells &a$e a nu4ber of e$!%es to 8ar off t&e #oss!5
ble !ll5effe%ts of free@!ng' It &as been foun t&at t&e %&e4!%als 8!t&!n t&e
#roto#las4 allo8 !t to go %ons!erabl" belo8 free@!ng before sol!!f"!ng'
/ut 8&en e2tre4el" %ol te4#eratures are rea%&e !t oes of %ourse so5
l!!f"' T&en t&e organ!s4 8!t& res!l!ent %ell 8alls fares t&e best' So4e
of t&e 8ater !s bet8een t&e %ells 8&!%& !s an a!t!onal fa%tor' /ut 8!t&5
!n t&e %ell lo8 te4#eratures stale4ate a%t!$!t" an t&us e4ans for nu5
tr!4ent 8&!le free@!ng an #reser$!ng t&e %ollo!al %&e4!str" of t&e #ro5
to#las4' T&e &!g& te4#eratures are t&e ones 4ore l!0el" to brea0 o8n
t&e %ollo!al s"ste4s' An 8&ere t&e %on!t!ons are e2tre4el" se$ere,
e$olut!on 8ees out t&ose %ellular stru%tures 8&!%& %annot 4eet t&e e5
4ans of t&e en$!ron4ent'
W!t& t&e %o4!ng of s#r!ng t&e %ell !s 8ar4e an t&!s &eat !n%reases
t&e 4ole%ular a%t!$!t" of t&e #roto#las4 as &eat 8oul for an" %&e4!%al
solut!on' T&e 4ole%ular a%t!$!t" of t&e #roto#las4 t&us !n%reases to t&e
#o!nt 8&ere t&e %ell resu4es !ts nor4al e<u!l!brat!ng #ro%esses' T&!s !s
natural for l!fe !s a 4atter of %&e4!str" an 4ole%ular relat!ons' It !s ob5
$!ousl" e2tre4el" !ff!%ult for t&e resear%&er to atte4#t to u#l!%ate na5
21
ture !n t&!s an un!4ag!nabl" !ff!%ult 8!t& %o4#le2 an!4als' /ut g!$en
one !ota t&e t!4e nature &as &a 8!t& &!bernat!ng an!4als an or4ant
#lants 4an &as a%%o4#l!s&e 8oners of &!s o8n'
T&ere are a nu4ber of 8a"s t&en t&at t&e 4ole%ular a%t!$!t" %an be re5
u%e for &ol!ng t&e organ!s4 %onstant o$er relat!$el" long #er!os of
t!4e' All &!bernat!ng an!4als reu%e t&e!r 4ole%ular a%t!$!t" an t&us
t&e a4ount of energ" t&e" e2#en ur!ng t&e!r long slee#s' W!t& a fe8
e2%e#t!ons, t&e lo8er 1t&e3 te4#erature t&e less 1t&e3 energ" use unt!l
t&e l!fe #ro%esses are &el #ra%t!%all" sto%0 st!ll' An e2%e#t!on to t&!s as
far as te4#erature !s %on%erne 4a" be seen !n t&e es!%%at!on of sees
an !nse%ts' T&e 0ernel of gra!n, 8e re4e4ber, t&at 8as &el for t&ou5
sans of "ears !n a r!e state, s#rang to l!fe 8&en #ut !n 4o!sture at t&e
r!g&t te4#erature' T&e #r!n%!#le !s so4e8&at s!4!lar t&oug&' T&e
4ole%ular a%t!$!t" &as $!rtuall" sto##e, !n t&!s %ase b" r"!ng, 8&!le t&e
%ollo!al s"ste4s or t&e relat!ons bet8een t&e ele4ents &a$e been 0e#t
relat!$el" %onstant' Anot&er 4et&o, free@e5r"!ng, uses bot& free@!ng
an r"!ng, as t&e na4e !n!%ates, 8!t& e2%ellent results on relat!$el"
s4all a4ounts of t!ssue'
T&e &u4an !4ag!nat!on &as a r!g&t to be e2%!te at sees blosso4!ng
after se$eral t&ousan "ears of or4an%" but t&!s !s an !nf!n!tes!4al s#an
%o4#are to $er" re%ent !s%o$er!es' At /a Nau&e!4 !n =er4an", (r'
(o4bro8s0! &as foun t&at ba%ter!a &a$e been &el !n a or4ant %on!5
t!on for a##ro2!4atel" -.. 4!ll!on "ears' KT&!s 8as 8&en ants 8ere ?ust
beg!nn!ng to e$ol$e as ants'L Not onl" ! nature &ol t&e ba%ter!a !n
or4an%" o$er t&at #er!o of t!4e but s&e !s %onstantl" br!ng!ng t&e4 to
l!fe aga!n 8!t&out t&e !nter$ent!on of 4an'
T&ese ba%ter!a &a e$!entl" been tra##e an &el !n an%!ent salt e5
#os!ts !n a e&"rate %on!t!on' Water see#!ng t&roug& t&ese e#os!ts
&as been loosen!ng t&e ba%ter!a an 8ar4!ng t&e4 enoug& to re0!nle
t&e sl!g&tl" faster 4ole%ular #ro%esses 0no8n as l!fe' Con$en!entl" t&e
8ar4e 8ater 8!t& rean!4ate ba%ter!a bubble fort& $!rtuall" ne2t to
ba%ter!olog!st (o4bro8s0!>s laborator"' After !s%o$er!ng t&at t&ese
ba%ter!a 8ere as far as ,.. feet belo8 t&e surfa%e 8!t&!n t&e 8ar4e 8a5
ter &e reasone t&at t&e" 4!g&t &a$e or!g!nate !n t&e Dal! an Pe%&ste!n
salt e#os!ts 6. 4!les !stant' W!t& e2tre4el" %areful #ro%eures to
a$o! %onta4!nat!on, *;. salt sa4#les 8ere e2tra%te an 8ar4e !n
&os#!table solut!ons "!el!ng ;, %ultures of re$!$e ba%ter!a'
6
After t&!s su%%ess 8!t& lo%al salt e#os!ts &e obta!ne 7-. 4!ll!on
"ear ol Sas0at%&e8an sa4#les 8&!%& "!ele e!g&t stra!ns of l!$!ng ba%5
ter!a fro4 t8ent" e2#er!4ents' Ha$!ng #us&e t&e laten%" #er!o to o$er
7.. 4!ll!on "ears atte4#ts are no8 be!ng 4ae to lo%ate salt e#os!ts
o$er t8!%e as ol u#on 8&!%& t&e sa4e e2#er!4ents 8!ll be #erfor4e'
It 8oul a##ear t&at for our #ur#oses t&e #us&!ng ba%0 of t&e laten%" #e5
r!o !s 4erel" a te%&n!%al eta!l' If ba%ter!a &a$e la!n #otent!all" al!$e for
o$er 7.. 4!ll!on "ears an t&e larger s#e%!es are re4otel" %o4#arable
t&e" too 4a" be &el !n or4an%" t&oug& as 4ent!one 4an" t!4es t&e
rea%t!$at!ng #roble4s are for4!able'
/efore 8e %ont!nue 8!t& te4#erature stu!es !n t&e laborator!es 8e
4a" 4ent!on so4e re%ent e2#er!4ents 8&!%& !n!%ate t&at !etar"
%&anges 4a" &el# %ontrol sus#ene an!4at!on' Monsanto C&e4!%al
Co4#an" &as re#orte t&at b" s#e%!f!% %&anges !n t&e balan%e of a4!no
a%!s !n t&e !et %&!%0s &a$e been &el !n sus#ene an!4at!on for s!2 to
n!ne 4ont&s' After sto##!ng t&e sus#ene an!4at!on t&e %&!%0s 4a5
ture at t&e!r nor4al rates 8!t&out an" !ll effe%ts'
:
M!%e t&at &a been re5
%entl" 8eane 8ere &el at t&at #o!nt !n t&e!r 4aturat!on for an e$en
longer #er!o, a "ear, an t&en Ftr!ggereH ba%0 to natural gro8t& b"
restorat!on to a nor4al !et' It !s rat&er !nstru%t!$e t&e nu4ber of 4et&5
os t&at 4a" be atte4#te to a%&!e$e a s!4!lar en, &o8e$er, t&!s #art!%5
ular one g!$es no e$!en%e so far of &ol!ng an!4als for !nef!n!te #er!5
os 8!t&out ag!ng'
O$er t&e "ears !n t&e $ar!ous laborator!es t&ere &a$e naturall" been a
great $ar!et" of f!n!ngs' As far ba%0 as *9;9 !t 8as foun t&at s#er4
sur$!$e *: egrees belo8' Sees, es#e%!all", 8ere foun <u!te %a#able
of 8!t&stan!ng e2tre4el" 1lo83 te4#eratures' So4e ru!4entar" an!5
4als l!0e s#er4at!s %oul 8!t&stan 5;. egrees Cent!grae' Certa!n
ot&er %ells 8!t&stoo slo8 %ool!ng to 5*+. egrees Cent!grae' Close !n5
s#e%t!on !n t&e laborator" su##orte t&e %ontent!on t&at free@!ng sto##e
or &el t&e %ollo!al relat!ons' It 8as foun t&at F!f t&e s!gn!f!%ant
a4ount of %ellular 8ater !s fro@en 8!t&!n t&e %ell t&e free ra!%als re5
lease on t&a8!ng 8!ll be !n 4u%& t&e sa4e #os!t!ons t&e" 8oul &a$e
been !n on !rra!at!on of t&e unfro@en %ell'H
,
T&e t&eor" an a##l!%at!on for s4all ru!4entar" organ!s4s !s f!ne'
/ut for t&e a##l!%at!on to 4en t&ere 4ust be e$!en%e t&at t&!s a##l!es to
4ore &!g&l" organ!@e %reatures' In #art t&!s &as been one' In *+:* !n
/elgrae, An?us F&a resus%!tate rats 8!t& %olon!% te4#eratures be5
t8een . egrees C' an 5- egrees C' an after t&e &eart an breat&!ng
&a been at a stanst!ll for 6.5,. 4!nutes'H
9
An?us &a one t&!s 8!t&
rat&er elaborate #ro%eures, %o4#l!%ate 4a%&!nes 8!t& fearful na4es,
an a reasonable t&oug& %o4#l!%ate 4et&o of 8ar4!ng t&e area of t&e
&eart f!rst, t&en 8or0!ng out8ar' In *+:, =ol@$e!g an S4!t& of M!ll
H!ll, Lonon, #ubl!s&e FA S!4#le 4et&o for Rean!4at!ng I%e5%ol
Rats GH' As allue to earl!er t&e" rean!4ate t&e!r rats 8!t& art!f!%!al
23
res#!rat!on an s!4#le !rra!at!on 8!t& a ben%& la4#' It 8as foun t&at
8ar4!ng t&e4 8!t& one or t8o *.. W' bulbs 8as all t&at 8as neee an
t&e results 8ere better'
;
It see4s to !n!%ate t&at on%e !n a 8&!le so4e5
t&!ng %an be 4ore s!4#l" a%%o4#l!s&e 8!t& a ben%& la4# t&an 8!t& a
4agnetron'
In t&e =ol@$e!g an S4!t& Stu!es rats, 4!%e an golen &a4sters
8ere a4ong t&e an!4als use' W!t& t&e 4!%e t&e 4et&o 8as to en%lose
t&e4 !n D!lner ?ars for :;599 4!nutes at 5* to 5- egrees C' T&en t&e
%ool!ng 8as %ont!nue !n 4elt!ng !%e' Csuall" before t8o &ours &a
#asse t&e re8ar4!ng 8as begun' T&e la4#s, #la%e !n $ar!ous #os!t!ons
abo$e an belo8 t&e 4ouse 4ounte on a s%reen, 8ere &el ?ust %lose
enoug& to ra!se t&e te4#erature one egree #er 4!nute' /" t&!s 4et&o
9; out of *.6 8ere long ter4 sur$!$ors' T&at !s t&ere 8ere no !ll5effe%ts
a##arent !n t&e sur$!$ors' L!0e8!se as 4ent!one !n t&e !ntrou%t!on
S4!t& resus%!tate golen &a4sters t&oug& :. #er%ent of t&e bo" 8ater
&a been fro@en'
Nu4erous stu!es &a$e been one also on ogs an 4on0e"s' W!t&
t&e latter resus%!tat!on &as been %o4#letel" su%%essful t&oug& t&e bo"
te4#erature &as been lo8ere to . egrees Cent!grae'
+
Men also &a$e naturall" an so4et!4es a%%!entall" been sub?e%te to
<u!te lo8 te4#eratures an to t&e free@!ng of large #arts of t&e bo" 8!t&
8ar4!ng to nor4al an fe8 !f an" after5effe%ts' Ho8e$er !t !s onl" to be
e2#e%te t&at t&e front!er resear%& !s to be one 8!t& ot&er an!4als' It
see4s reasonable t&at 8!t&!n t&e ne2t %entur" resear%& 8!ll s&o8 t&at
f!rst t&e s4aller an!4als, ?ust as !s no8 true of %erta!n s4all %ellular
stru%tures, %an be fro@en for long #er!os of t!4e an su%%essfull" resus5
%!tate' =rauall" !t 8!ll be s&o8n t&at 4ore %o4#le2 an!4als %an be re5
an!4ate after be!ng fro@en for long #er!os of t!4e' S4!t&, Lo$elo%0
an Par0es of Lonon #&rase t&e!r ob?e%t!$es t&usl": FWe are no8 at5
te4#t!ng to %lose t&e ga# bet8een t&ese t8o l!nes of 8or0 KaL b" !n%reas5
!ng t&e s!@e an %o4#le2!t" of t&e !solate t!ssues %oole to 59+ egrees
C', as, for e2a4#le b" free@!ng a 8&ole !solate organ, an KbL b" reu%5
!ng t&e 8&ole an!4al to a bo" te4#erature belo8 @ero'H
*.
T&ere %an be l!ttle oubt t&at t&e ga# 8!ll be %lose 8!t& t!4e' Here !t
%an es#e%!all" be not!%e &o8 resear%& !n t&!s area %an &a$e a $ar!et" of
s!gn!f!%an%es' One, t&e" learn 4ore about resus%!tat!on g!$en t&e fro@en
an!4al anJor t&e fro@en organ' T8o, t&e lengt& of storage t!4e !s gra5
uall" lengt&ene' T&ree, 4ore 0no8lege !s obta!ne of t!ssues an or5
gans for trans#lant #oss!b!l!t!es' T&us, %los!ng t&e ga# !n one f!el 4a"
&el# %lose t&e ga#s !n ot&er f!els of stu" as 8ell'
Transplantation
To see 8&ere trans#lantat!on stu!es 4a" be of !4#ortan%e let us re5
$!e8 t&e #oss!ble alternat!$es for ela"!ng eat& e!t&er relat!$el" or !n5
ef!n!tel"' One, 8as t&e b!olog!%al !n 8&!%& t&e sa4e bo" of t&e #erson
8oul %ont!nue #ro$!e enoug& 8as 0no8n of &!s sto%&ast!% #ro%esses
to enable %ontrol of ag!ng' T8o, 8as t&e #oss!b!l!t" t&at an organ!s4
%oul be &el !nef!n!tel" !n a or4ant %on!t!on or relat!$el" stat!%
4ole%ular a%t!$!t" at lo8 te4#erature unt!l resear%& an ot&er s%!ent!f!%
!s%o$er!es &a greatl" !4#ro$e rean!4at!on #ro%eures' T&ree, !s t&e
4et&o t&at !s about to be br!efl" %ons!ere !n 8&!%& trans#lant!ng of
organs !s so 8!es#rea t&at t&e or!g!nal #attern, t&e !n!$!ual, %oul !n5
ef!n!tel" e2ten &!s e2!sten%e' T&!s #oss!b!l!t" !s t&eoret!%all" a0!n to
regenerat!on #ro%esses alrea" s#o0en of' S&ortl" after t&!s a fourt& area
of %"bernet!% #oss!b!l!t!es 8!ll be !s%usse'
In trans#lantat!on t&e s#are #arts 4ust be gotten fro4 so4e8&ere: e!5
t&er gro8!ng t&e4 as 4!g&t be en$!s!one !n so4e bra$e ne8 8orl lab5
orator" or as no8 ta0!ng a$antage of t&e eat& of ot&er organ!s4s' An
enter!ng 8ege !s !nstan%e b" %orneal trans#lants' T&e r!g&t to re4o$e
t&ese %orneas !s eee before eat& b" so4e !n!$!uals' C#on eat&
t&e %ornea !s re4o$e, fro@en an store unt!l neee' T&ese %orneas
&a$e been use after a storage of t8o "ears 8!t& no &ar4ful effe%ts'
As e"e5ban0s store %orneas, t!ssue5ban0s store s0!n se%t!ons, ner$es,
an ot&er organs 8&!%& &a$e been foun #ra%t!%al to trans#lant 8&ere
neee, an organs u#on 8&!%& storage an trans#lant!ng resear%& !s
%ont!nu!ng' As !s%o$er!es %ont!nue t&e range of organs 8&!%& %an be
su%%essfull" re#la%e 8!ll 8!en'
An as#e%t of trans#lant!ng 8&!%& !s s!4!lar to s!4#l" e2%&ang!ng or
subst!tut!on or re#la%e4ent !s t&e transfus!on of bloo an #las4a' It !s a
s!4#ler but so4e8&at s!4!lar #ro%ess' In t&!s t&e bloo of ot&er #ersons
l!$!ng or re%entl" ea !s trans#lante or transfuse to t&e nee!ng organ5
!s4' It !s so %o44on t&at t&e #oss!ble s!gn!f!%an%e of t&e #r!n%!#le, !f
e2tene, &arl" #asses our 4!ns' It 4a" be seen also t&at t&e 4et&o
of subst!tut!on an e2%&ange r!fts off to su%& #ro%eures as transfus!ng
salt 8ater #las4a solut!ons !nto t&e bloo 8&en ne%essar" to atte4#t!ng
to e2%&ange t&e ent!re &eas bet8een organ!s4s'
As s0!n graft!ng, %ornea an 0!ne" trans#lants are a%tuall" !n effe%t
toa" t&ere !s l!ttle oubt t&at t&e l!4!ts of t&!s 4et&o are 1but3 re4otel"
!n s!g&t' E2tens!on of t&!s te%&n!<ue %annot &el# but e2ten longe$!t" as
8ell as #ro$!e an a$a!lable 4et&o of a!!ng an resus%!tat!ng fro@en
25
organ!s4s'
&lectroencephalography
Ele%troen%e#&alogra#&" or ?ust #la!n an s!4#le en%e#&alogra#&"
#ro$!es us 8!t& a br!ge bet8een #&"s!olog!%al an %"bernet!% stu!es'
S!4#l" an roug&l" #ut, !t !s t&e stu" of t&e ele%tr!% 8a$e #&eno4ena of
t&e bra!n' It 8as starte b" /erger !n *+-; 8&en &e 8as able to a4#l!f"
suff!%!entl" for obser$at!on an re%or!ng t&e e2tre4el" fa!nt bra!n
8a$es' S!n%e t&en =re" Walter &as been t&e 4ost s!gn!f!%ant t&eor!st !n
t&e f!el 8!t& &!s t&eor" of s%ann!ng'
Walter 8as #u@@le for a nu4ber of "ears o$er 8&at t&e 4ean!ng
4!g&t be of all t&e #u@@l!ng bra!n 8a$es' F!nall", 8!t& t&e %o4!ng of
tele$!s!on t&e t&oug&t o%%urre t&at t&e bra!n 4a" 8or0 s!4!larl"' T&at
!s, t&e r&"t&4!% 8a$es are #art of a t"#e of s%ann!ng #ro%ess, a s&o8er5
!ng of !4#ulses ba%0 an fort&, 8&!%& transfer t&e !n%o4!ng $!sual st!45
ul!, for !nstan%e, !nto %on%e#tual #atterns'
**
T&ese sa4e #atterns %an be
store an re%alle at 8!ll' T&!s !n>t e2#la!n all t&e 8a$es but !t !
#ro$!e so4et&!ng s!gn!f!%ant for bot& #&"s!olog" an %"bernet!%s'
For #&"s!olog" !t #ro$!e a ne8 t&eor" e2#la!n!ng natural!st!%all"
&o8 t&e bra!n fun%t!one !n %erta!n areas' For %"bernet!%s !t &el#e #ro5
$!e a 8a" of u#l!%at!ng !n 4a%&!nes t&e %&ara%ter!st!%s an %a#ab!l!t!es
of t&e &u4an' T&ese resear%&es &a$e %ont!nuall" t!g&tene W!ener>s t&e5
s!s t&at t&e o#erat!ons of so4e of t&e ne8er %o44un!%at!on 4a%&!nes
an t&e &u4an are #re%!sel" #arallel'
W&en !t %o4es to &u4an !44ortal!t" !t &as been 4ent!one t&at !f a
#erson 4a" !e before t&e #ostulate brea0t&roug&s of -.*., an &e
8!s&es to &a$e &!s bo" store, !t !s also 8!se to &a$e as %o4#lete a
re%or as !s #oss!ble to a! t&e rean!4at!on for%e' An en%e#&alogra4,
en%e#&alogra#& or bra!n #r!nt 4!g&t ?ust #oss!bl" be of so4e &el#' Ea%&
bra!n #r!nt !s ent!rel" !fferent fro4 e$er" ot&er bra!n #r!nt' It !s 4ore !n5
!$!ual!st!% t&an a f!nger#r!nt' T&!s #re%aut!on 4a" not be ne%essar" for
8e %annot 0no8 a&ea of t!4e t&e e2a%t 4et&os of rean!4at!on' /ut !t
!s 8!se !f %on$en!ent to &ege aga!nst t&e future !f t&e !nfor4at!on 4!g&t
#oss!bl" be of use'
'ybernetics
Clt!4atel" our founat!ons 4ust l!e !n e2#er!4ent an $er!f!%at!on,
es#e%!all" 8!t& !44ortal!t": so4et&!ng 4en es!re so #ass!onatel"'
Ho8e$er, 8&en !t %o4es to !s%uss!ng t&e #robab!l!t" 8e often use t&e
general obser$at!ons of t&e s%!ent!st 8&!%& &e &as #ut !n 8r!tten for4'
W!t& %"bernet!%s !t !s %on$en!ent to use t&e 8r!t!ngs of W!ener, #er&a#s
t&e outstan!ng %"bernet!%!an, as a #o!nt of !s%uss!on an e#arture'
Let us outl!ne t&e argu4ent aga!n but !n 4ore eta!le for4:
FIt !s 4" t&es!s t&at t&e #&"s!%al fun%t!on!ng of t&e l!$!ng !n!$!5
ual an t&e o#erat!on of so4e of t&e ne8er %o44un!%at!on 4a%&!nes
are #re%!sel" #arallel !n t&e!r analogous atte4#ts to %ontrol entro#"
t&roug& feeba%0 G In ot&er 8ors, all5o$er s"ste4 8!ll %orres#on
to t&e %o4#lete an!4al GH
*-
As far as t&!s 8or0 !s %on%erne, 8e nee onl" as0 t&at t&e 4a%&!ne an
t&e &u4an are s!gn!f!%antl" #arallel, su%& t&at t&e all5o$er 4a%&!ne s"s5
te4 8!ll #ra%t!%all" %orres#on to t&e %o4#lete an!4al' If !t !s not !45
#l!%!t 8!t&!n t&e abo$e !t !s 8ell to state e2#l!%!tl" t&at 8e assu4e t&e
#attern %an be foun of t&e &u4an an %an be trans4!tte, !n t&!s #art!%u5
lar %ase, to t&e 4a%&!ne' T&e 4a%&!ne 8!t& ue re#a!r, !s !44ortal' Re5
4e4ber t&!s !s but one #at& to !44ortal!t"' Ot&er 4et&os an $ar!a5
t!ons are !s%usse else8&ere' Here 8e 4ean to !s%uss t&e 4et&o an
rele$an%!es %losest to 8&at 8e %ons!er t&e %ore of %"bernet!%s an relate
!t to t&e ot&er resear%&es'
T&ere are so4e $er" %lose relat!ons&!#s for !nstan%e a4ong Pa$lo$,
S&err!ngton, =re" Walter an W!ener' Pa$lo$ !n #&"s!olog" bes!es re5
!nfor%!ng t&e !ea t&at be&a$!or !s eter4!n!st!% an 4e%&an!%al #ro$!e
t&e %on!t!one refle2 to tell us &o8 learn!ng o%%urs an to &el# 4a# t&e
#s"%&!% a##aratus' S&err!ngton>s resear%&es 8&!%& are !ntert8!ne 8!t&
Pa$lo$>s ! t&e bas!% 8or0 e2#la!n!ng t&e s"na#se an #ro$!e a rea5
sonable 4oel of t&e bra!n' =re" Walter !4#ro$e t&e 4oel 8!t& t&e
%on%e#t of s%ann!ng an ga$e !t #&"s!%al 4e%&an!%al real!t"' W!ener
#ro$!e bot& 4at&e4at!%al %ontr!but!ons an #&!loso#&!%al %ontr!bu5
t!ons 8!t& t&e a! of As&b">s e2#er!4ents on feeba%0, e<u!l!br!u4, an
#ur#ose' W!ener es#e%!all" #ro4ote t&e un!t" of t&e 4o$e4ent'
As W!ener #o!nts out, %"bernet!%s !s a %o4#os!te 4o$e4ent of ele%5
tron!%s, eng!neer!ng, #s"%&olog", #&"s!olog", et%', eal!ng 8!t& 4en an
4a%&!nes, feeba%0, %ontrol, !nfor4at!on, 4essages, an %o44un!%at!on'
In atte4#t!ng to u#l!%ate 4a%&!nes s!4!lar to 4en, !t onl" see4s reason5
able t&at !t 8!ll be a $astl" %o4#le2 !nter!$!s!onal stu"' It al4ost
see4s startl!ng t&at t&e u#l!%at!on &as gone as far so fast' Auto4at!on
8&!%& !s an as#e%t of t&ese stu!es see4s to &a$e ta0en us b" sur#r!se,
"et ten "ears ago 8e 8ere full" 8arne of !ts #oss!ble benef!ts an etr!5
4ents b" W!ener an ot&ers'
27
/ut !f t&e #oss!b!l!t!es of 4en be!ng #ut out of 8or0 or be%o4!ng $!%5
t!4s of an unt&!n0!ng, un<uest!on!ng organ!@at!on 8ere stresse, t&e ult!5
4ate !4#l!%at!ons for !44ortal!t" 8ere e!t&er unt&oug&t of, or !f t&oug&t
of, ot&er #roble4s 8ere %ons!ere f!rst, or t&e !ea of !44ortal!t" 8as
4erel" !4#l!e' /ut t&e !eas 0ee# %o4!ng ba%0, an ba%0 aga!nM !f 4en
are a #attern, an so are 4a%&!nes s!4!larl", an !f %o44un!%at!on 4a5
%&!nes %an #re%!sel" #arallel 4en, #atterns 4a" e$entuall" be trans4!tte
to 4a%&!nes t&en !44ortal!t" 4a" be e$entuall" a%&!e$e for &u4ans'
No8 let us %ons!er !n sl!g&tl" greater eta!l t&e #oss!b!l!t!es of t&e
%"bernet!% 4et&o an so4e of !ts $ar!at!ons' T&e 4et&o !4#l!e b"
t&e !eas !n W!ener>s boo0 4!g&t be %alle t&e trans4!tt!ng re5%reat!on
4et&o' A s%anner goes o$er or t&roug& t&e !n!$!ual #!%0!ng u# t&e
#attern an trans4!tt!ng !t to an" ot&er #o!nt 8&ere t&e re5%reat!on out of
t&e sa4e t"#e of ato4s !s to ta0e #la%e' T&!s #art!%ular 4et&o 8oul be
a &u4an to &u4an, one to one relat!on bet8een all of t&e ato4s of t&e
bo", $!a t&e trans4!ss!on e$!%e' In t&eor", !t !s e2%ellent for storage
an for trans4!ss!on to !stant #o!nts !n t!4e an s#a%e, &o8e$er, as
W!ener sa"s:
FT&e !ff!%ult!es are of %ourse enor4ous G An" s%ann!ng of t&e
&u4an organ!s4 4ust be a #robe go!ng t&roug& all !ts #arts, an 8!ll
a%%or!ngl", ten to estro" t&e t!ssue on !ts 8a"' To &ol an organ5
!s4 stable 8&!le #art of !t !s be!ng slo8l" estro"e, 8!t& t&e !nten5
t!on of re5%reat!ng !t out of ot&er 4ater!al else8&ere, !n$ol$es a lo85
er!ng of !ts egree of a%t!$!t", 8&!%& !n 4ost %ases 8oul estro" l!fe
!n t&e t!ssue'H
*7
It 4a" be ae t&at for t&ose 8&o are fro@en t&ere 8!ll be less #roble4
!n &ol!ng t&e organ!s4 stable' T&e egree of a%t!$!t" 8!ll be n!l at an"5
t&!ng abo$e t&e 4ole%ular le$el an estro"!ng t&e %a#a%!t" for l!fe !n t&e
t!ssue 4a" not be of ne%ess!t" e#en!ng on t&e %a#ab!l!t" of t&e s%an5
n!ng 4a%&!ne' W!ener sa"s t&!s !s a $er" #laus!ble 4et&o' If !t !s true
t&at t&!s unusual %"bernet!% 4et&o !s #laus!ble t&en t&!n0 &o8 4u%&
%onf!en%e !s ga!ne for t&e ot&er 4et&os 8&!%& see4 e$en 4ore feas!5
ble an less %o4#le2'
Anot&er #oss!b!l!t" along t&!s %"bernet!% l!ne !s t&e &u4an5to5auto4a5
ton' T&e !ea %o4es !n 4!n <u!te rea!l" t&at !f t&e s%anner %an #!%0 u#
t&e #attern an re5%reate a u#l!%ate !n!$!ual !t 4!g&t e$en be eas!er
an 4ore a$antageous to re%onstru%t t&e e<u!$alent #attern !n t&e fra4e
of a un!tar" se4!5!solate 4ob!le %o44un!%at!on 4a%&!ne' T&!s as5
su4es t&ere are a$antages to #last!% an 4etal %ontraste 8!t& fles& an
bone' Or, %on%e!$abl", t&ere %oul be so4e %o4b!nat!on of all of t&e4'
In s&ort, t&e #attern of t&e &u4an 4a" 4ore eas!l" be ta#e !nto t&e
%o44un!%at!on 4a%&!ne 8!t& !ts nu4erous stru%tural a$antages' T&e
!ea aga!n !s t&at t&e !n!$!ual!t" of t&e bo" !s l!0e t&at of a fla4e
rat&er t&an t&at of a stoneM of for4 rat&er t&an a b!t of substan%e'
T&e se$eral a##arent a$antages are t&at #utt!ng t&e #attern !nto t&e
4a%&!ne !s eas!er t&an re5%reat!ng anot&er fles& an bone !n!$!ual an
t&e ne8 4etall!% an #last!% !n!$!ual !s t&en !44ortal, g!$en 4!n!4al
u#0ee#' /e"on t&!s t&e 4a%&!nes &a$e !nnu4erable a$antages o$er
t&e &u4an %onst!tut!on' T&ese a$antages Kan so4e !sa$antages at
#resentL not onl" tell us 4ore about t&e #oss!b!l!t!es of 4a%&!nes but
#o!nt to an earl!er solut!on to trans4!ss!on #roble4s'
Intell!gen%e !s l!0el" to be%o4e t&e su#re4e forte of t&e ne8er %o45
4un!%at!on 4a%&!nes' T&!s !s bel!e$e e2tre4el" #robable be%ause of
t&e startl!ng gro8t& !n t&e last e%ae of t&e t&!n0!ng 4a%&!nes an t&e!r
$!tal fun%t!on no8 !n bus!ness, t&e 4!l!tar", !n un!$ers!t!es an go$ern5
4ents !n 4an" %ountr!es o$er t&e surfa%e of t&e #lanet' T&e" are orb!t!ng
!n s#a%e r!g&t no8 o!ng 4ental ?obs no &u4an alone %oul rea4 of o5
!ng' T&e range of ata t&e" are able to en%o4#ass, re%e!$e an trans4!t !s
l!4!te onl" b" t&e la8s of nature' T&e" re%e!$e an trans4!t ra!o
8a$es, ultra$!olet ra"s, l!g&t ra"s, soun 8a$es, !nfrare ra"s, Q5ra"s,
&eat ra"s, ga44a ra"s, an an" %on%e!$able t"#e of 8a$e for4 at al4ost
an" 4agn!tue' As t&e fun%t!on!ng of t&!s s#e%tral %a#a%!t" be%o4es bet5
ter !ntegrate !t for4s t&e bas!s of a &!g&er !ntell!gen%e' T&e range t&at a
&u4an %an re%e!$e an trans4!t !s !nf!n!tes!4all" s4all b" %o4#ar!son'
T&!s sa4e l!4!tat!on e$entuall" #uts a l!4!tat!on on &u4an !ntell!gen%e'
Most of t&e 8a$es 8oul be al4ost totall" be"on 4an>s %o4#re&ens!on
!f &e ! not &a$e t&e 4a%&!nes to !nfor4 &!4 of t&e4'
It !s often suggeste t&at !t oesn>t 4a0e an" !fferen%e as long as 4an
&as %ontrol of t&e 4a%&!nes' /ut so4e&o8 !t oes 4a0e a !fferen%e'
W&en t&ere !s a !ff!%ult ?ob to o 4en are 4at%&e 8!t& t&e 4a%&!nes
an t&e 8!nner gets t&e ?ob' It s&oul be #a!nfull" e$!ent, for t&ose 8&o
8ant ?obs, 8&o !s gett!ng t&e ?obs latel"' An fro4 oust!ng 4en fro4
one ?ob t&e 4a%&!nes 4ar%& on to anot&er st!ll 4ore !ff!%ult an e5
4an!ng' T&e" beg!n b" #erfor4!ng rat&er s!4#le #&"s!%al an 4ental
o#erat!ons but &a$e no8 4o$e u# to es!gn!ng t&e ne2t generat!on of
st!ll 4ore %a#able 4a%&!nes an to es!gn!ng t&e a%tual fa%tor!es t&e45
sel$es' An t&e 4ore %a#able 4a%&!nes !s#la%e t&e less %a#able 4a5
%&!nes, as 8ell as 4en' As one anal"st obser$e: 8&en t&e 4a%&!nes
start %aus!ng une4#lo"4ent a4ong t&e4sel$es t&en !t>s t!4e to start
8orr"!ng'
/ut to return aga!n to t&e <uest!on of 8&et&er !t 4a0es an" !fferen%e
29
as long as 4en al8a"s %ontrol t&e 4a%&!nes, t&e s&ort ans8er !s t&at 8e
4a" lose %ontrol !n a $ar!et" of 8a"s' W&en 4en lose %ontrol o$er !n!5
$!ual ?obs !t for%es t&e so%!et" to so%!al!@e, to %oo#erate 4ore %losel" !n
%ontroll!ng t&e 4a%&!nes an !n !str!but!ng t&e out#ut' Man 8on>t re5
ga!n !n t&!s t"#e of %ontrol unt!l &e full" unerstans t&at 8or0 !s for t&e
4a%&!nes' Man 8as ne$er 4eant to 8or0' It !sn>t !n &!s nature 8&ereas !t
!s 8!t&!n t&e nature of so4e 4a%&!nes' W&en 4an real!@es t&at full un5
e4#lo"4ent !s &!s goal an &as e$!se an e<u!table !str!but!on s"ste4
t&en &e 8!ll &a$e a%&!e$e a 4easure of %ontrol o$er &!4self an so4e
4a%&!nes' /ut t&!s !sn>t t&e ult!4ate %ontrol t&at t&e 4ore !4ag!nat!$e
#eo#le are t&!n0!ng about' E$olut!on 4a" be !nstru%t!$e &ere'
In e$olut!onar" stu!es, !n!%at!ons are t&at s#e%!es aa#t to f!t t&e en5
$!ron4ent' On t&e =ala#agos Islans, (ar8!n foun fourteen s#e%!es of
f!n%&es or!g!nat!ng fro4 a s!ngle 4a!nlan s#e%!es' Ea%& s#e%!es aa#t5
e to an a$a!lable foo su##l", grauall" se#arat!ng furt&er fro4 t&e
or!g!nal s#e%!es' It !s #oss!ble to !4ag!ne t&!s !n s#a%e e2#lorat!on' T&e
s#e%!es of &!g&l" s#e%!al!@e 4a%&!nes best aa#te to t&e en$!ron4ent
are no8 !n t&ose #art!%ular n!%&es' T&e!r nu4bers are on t&e !n%rease'
Onl" t&ose 4a%&!nes 8&!%& are aa#table to t&e en$!ron4ent of Au#!ter
8!ll %ont!nue to o%%u#" t&at #lanet' Probabl" !ffer!ng t"#es of 4a5
%&!nes 8!ll 4ore eff!%!entl" f!t t&e !ffer!ng t"#es of en$!ron4ents' If
one 8ere to ta0e a sur$e" #resentl" or so4e t!4e !n t&e future one 8oul
f!n t&e 4a%&!nes e$er"8&ere 8oul roug&l" f!t t&e en$!ron4ent Ks#a%e
es#e%!all"L ?ust as (ar8!n>s f!n%&es f!t t&e =ala#agos en$!ron4ent'
T&e s#l!tt!ng5off an ra!at!ng of (ar8!n>s fourteen s#e%!es of f!n%&es
!s #er&a#s t&e %o44on #ro%ess' It 4a" be t&e 8a" 4a%&!nes, t&at !s
so4e of t&e4, 4a" e$entuall" s#l!t off fro4 4en, se#arate, ra!ate an
be%o4e as !n!$!ual!st!% an !ne#enent as 4en are fro4 a#es' Ho85
e$er, e$olut!on &as 4an!fol #ro%esses 8&!%& e$entuall" allo8 t&e ne8
to se#arate or to ga!n ne8 terr!tor"' Man" of t&e4 !n$ol$e #aras!t!% an
s"4b!ot!% relat!ons&!#s 8&!%& !t sus#!%!ousl" a##ears no8 e2!st bet8een
4en an 4a%&!nes' Ho8 t&e s#l!tt!ng off 4a" o%%ur !s !ff!%ult to &a@ar
a guess at, but !t s&ouln>t bl!n one to t&e #oss!b!l!t" t&at !t 4a" o%%ur'
Ants are !nstru%t!$e of one of t&ese !s#la%!ng #ro%esses' A %erta!n ful!g5
!nous ant <ueen 8!ll $enture !nto t&e nest of a 4!2tus ant <ueen, 4ount
t&e ba%0 of t&e ene4" <ueen an sa8 off &er &ea' T&e !n$a!ng <ueen
ta0es t&e #la%e of t&e e%ease <ueen #rou%!ng "oung 8&!%& 4!2 8!t&
t&e &ost ants t&oug& one be bla%0 an one be "ello8, 4a0!ng a #rett"
s!g&t on t&e forest tra!ls for #er&a#s f!$e or ten "ears unt!l all of t&e 4!25
tus 8or0ers !sa##ear an t&e %olon" be%o4es #urel" ful!g!nous'
Or $!e8!ng all of ant e$olut!on, ?ust l!0e e$olut!on !n general, !t !s ob5
ser$able t&at so4e *;,... s#e%!es e$ol$e fro4 one s!ngle #re5ant stra!n
o$er a #er!o of #er&a#s -.. 4!ll!on "ears' Not onl" ! t&e" ra!ate
a8a" fro4 ea%& ot&er !n general but t&e" often !nter4!2e aga!n !n a
$er" 8!e $ar!et" of relat!ons&!#s: #aras!t!s4, %o4#et!t!on, #arab!os!s,
#les!ob!os!s, 2enob!os!s, ulos!s, lestob!os!s, et%' If one 8ere e2#ose to
#re5ants alone !t 8oul be $er" &ar to !4ag!ne t&e e$entual ra!at!on
!nto *;,... s#e%!es' In t&e long run !ne#enen%e an t&e e$elo#4ent
of ne8 $ar!et!es an s#e%!es !s t&e rule'
Anot&er %o44on <uest!on !s: If t&e 4a%&!ne !s so s4art 8&" oes &e
nee 4an to or!g!nate &!4E T&e #art!al ans8er !s t&at no s#e%!es !s s4art
enoug& to e$ol$e t&e4sel$es' Ea%& s#e%!es bu!ls or e$ol$es out of t&e
#re$!ous s#e%!es' T&e #lants !fferent!ate t&e4sel$es fro4 t&e an!4al
%ells b" e$elo#!ng %&loro#&"ll but bot& &a a %o44on %ellular base'
T&en t&e an!4als bu!lt u#on #lant l!fe !n a #reator" sense 8&!%& al5
lo8e t&e an!4als to e$ol$e 4u%& 4ore %o4#le2l" an ra#!l"' So4e5
t&!ng of t&e sa4e &a##ene 8!t& 4an gro8!ng out of 8&at 8e %all t&e
lo8er Kor &!g&erL orers of an!4als' It !s ne!t&er to &!s %re!t nor to &!s
etr!4ent' L!0e8!se 8!t& t&e ne8er 4a%&!nes' T&e" %oul not e2!st Kt&e
ne%essar" le$els of organ!@at!on ! not e2!stL before 4en %reate t&e4
an guarantee t&e!r sur$!$al for a t!4e' Merel" be%ause 4en %reate
t&e4 b" no 4eans !n!%ates t&at be!ngs of 4e%&an!%al, ele%tr!%al an
#last!% %onstru%t!on %annot be su#er!or to !n$est!gat!ng t&e un!$erse an
to sur$!$!ng !n !t' If one en!e t&e #oss!b!l!t" of t&e 4a%&!ne>s su#er!or5
!t" one 8oul &a$e to log!%all" en" t&at an" %&!l %oul be su#er!or to
&!s or &er #arent' If t&e %&!l 8ere al8a"s less !ntell!gent t&an t&e #arent
8e 8oul &a$e e$olut!on not e$olut!on' As a rule e$olut!on 8or0s ot&5
er8!se' T&e %&!lren are, on t&e a$erage be%o4!ng s4arter t&an t&e #ar5
ents, an #robabl" t&e 4a%&!nes are be%o4!ng s4arter t&an &u4ans' It
4a" be a greater blo8 to 4an>s ego t&an f!n!ng out t&at t&e eart& 8as
not t&e %enter of t&e un!$erse, but !f !t !s a%%e#te gra%!ousl" !t !s a s!gn
of 4atur!t" 8&!%& 8ears 8ell 8!t& t&e #r!e of #arentage'
It 4ust be note t&at t&e !nfant %o44un!%at!on 4a%&!nes are grante
b" all s%!ent!sts to be su#er!or !n !n$est!gat!ng outer s#a%e' T&e" are
t&ere no8 o!ng t&e ?ob' Man %an e$entuall" f!n a use !n s#a%e su%& as
!nsur!ng t&e #reser$at!on of &!s o8n s#e%!es !n %ase of ann!&!lator" &"5
rogen 8ars but t&us far #ubl!%!t" an #o8er are t&e 4a!n reasons for &!s
br!ef s#at!al e2%urs!ons'
Stru%ture an eff!%!en%" are t8o !nterrelate as#e%ts !n 8&!%& t&e
ne8er %o44un!%at!on 4a%&!nes %o44an s!gn!f!%ant a$antages o$er
t&e &u4an fra4e' Hu4ans s#en about ;.R of t&e!r t!4e an energ" on
4a!ntenan%e an re#a!r, 8&ereas t&e 4a%&!ne s#ens about *.R of !ts
31
t!4e on s!4!lar fun%t!ons' T&!s !s be%ause of t&e 4a%&!ne>s %onstru%t!on
8&!%& !s usuall" al4ost !nestru%t!ble: t&e essen%e of urab!l!t" %o45
#are to t&e relat!$el" unstable #er!s&able fles& an bone' Fles& an
bone %an e2!st b" !tself 8!t&out #rote%t!on onl" uner an e2tre4el" nar5
ro8 range of te4#erature an ot&er 8a$e for4 8&!le t&e 4a%&!ne &as
4an" t!4es t&e %a#a%!t" for sur$!$al uner 8&at 8oul be a$erse %on!5
t!ons for t&e &u4an' One %oul #ut al4ost an" 4a%&!ne on t&e 4oon>s
surfa%e, 8&!%& 4!g&t $ar" !n te4#erature fro4 -:. egrees abo$e to t&at
4u%& belo8, 8!t& no o2"gen an no 8ater an t&e 4a%&!ne 8ouln>t
g!$e !t a se%on t&oug&t' T&ese stru%tural a$antages 8&!%& allo8 t&e
4a%&!ne to better %o4#re&en an 8!t&stan t&e r!gors of al4ost an" en5
$!ron4ent %annot be !s4!sse an 8&en %o4b!ne 8!t& 4ean!ngful
le$els of organ!@at!on e$entuall" &a$e an !4#a%t for !4#ro$!ng !ts !ntell!5
gen%e an !ts ab!l!t" to sol$e #roble4s an to sur$!$e' Relat!$el" s#ea05
!ng, g!$en t8o e<ual s"ste4s !n ot&er res#e%ts, t&e s"ste4 8!t& 4ore
t!4e an energ" for 4ental a%t!$!t" %ou#le 8!t& greater urab!l!t" 8!ll
#ro$!e a su#er!or out#ut'
T&!s 4ental %a#ab!l!t" &as been 0no8n for a e%ae or #er&a#s t8o'
T&e ab!l!t" to !ntens!f" a #&"s!%al for%e 4an" t!4es to get #&"s!%al 8or0
one &as been 0no8n for ages' T&e se%on #otent!al!t" to 4ult!#l" a !f5
ferent #&"s!%al for%e 0no8n as 4ental #o8er 4an" t!4es !n orer to get
4ental 8or0 one !s t&e <u!te re%ent real!@at!on' S!4!larl" as a #&"s!%al
for%e 4a" be !ntens!f!e e$en a 4!ll!on t!4es, for e2a4#le, an" a##ro2!5
4at!on of t&!s !n t&e 4ental s#&ere !s 4ore t&an l!0el" Kto #ut !t 4!ll"L
to #rou%e re$olut!onar" %&anges' T&!s 4ental %a#a%!t" of t&e ne8er
%o44un!%at!on 4a%&!nes !s relat!$el" to be %ons!ere t&e ful%ru4 of
t&e se%on !nustr!al re$olut!on' T&ese ne85foun 4ental ab!l!t!es %ou5
#le 8!t& t&e oler #&"s!%al ab!l!t!es allo8 t&e 4a%&!nes to %ont!nue t&e
ent!re o#erat!ons of a fa%tor", off!%e, or bus!ness relat!$el" una!e b"
&u4an !nter$ent!on' An &u4ans are st!ll so4e8&at a4a@e or baffle
or sur#r!se at t&e ease 8!t& 8&!%& t&e 8ell50no8n su#er!or!t" of t&e 4a5
%&!nes to o #&"s!%al 8or0 8as <u!%0l" %ou#le 8!t& t&e ne8er 4a5
%&!ne>s su#er!or ab!l!t" to %al%ulate, orer, an !re%t o#erat!ons'
If As&b" !s %orre%t !n &!s 8r!t!ngs, t&ere !s no t&eoret!%al reason 8&"
4en s&oul not be able to bu!l a 4a%&!ne 8!t& an IS u# to a 4!ll!on or
be"on'
*6
Ot&er8!se t&ere 8oul be no 0no8n u##er l!4!t' T&en t&e
4eanest !ntell!gen%e Kas t&e 4a%&!nes sa"L s&oul be able to see 8&at
t&!s 4eans for sol$!ng t&e #roble4s of t&e trans4!ss!on of &u4an #at5
terns !nto auto4atons, or for t&e solut!on of an" ot&er #roble4' A4!t5
tel" t&e #roble4 4a" be as large or larger t&an t&at of effe%t!ng t&e f!rst
ato4 bo4b or t&e 4!ss!le t&at too0 #!%tures of t&e &!ner s!e of t&e
4oon' T&oug& !t %annot be og4at!%all" asserte, !t 8oul a##ear t&at
t&ose 4a" &a$e been eas!er #roble4s, be!ng rat&er te%&nolog!%al !n na5
ture' T&e #roble4s of rean!4at!on, trans4!ss!on, et%', 8&!%& lea to
#&"s!%al !44ortal!t" are not onl" te%&nolog!%al but !n$ol$e a $ast
a4ount of t!4e5%onsu4!ng resear%& an funa4ental t&eoret!%al 8or0
su%& as 8!t& %an%er 8&!%& &as onl" #art!all" been sol$e to ate' Aga!n
!t oesn>t 4ean t&at !t %annot be one' It 4eans t&at !t 4!g&t ta0e b!ll!ons
of ollars to8ar funa4ental resear%& o$er a #er!o of f!ft" "ears or so'
If "ou #lan on l!$!ng t&at long, f!ne' If not, "ou 4!g&t arrange for t&e
long %ool rea4less slee# !n %ase "ou !e naturall" or a%%!entall" before
t&e resear%& &as been %o4#lete' T&e alternat!$es 8!ll be t&e sa4e as
el!neate b" t&e greatest of t&e an%!ents nearl" -6.. "ears ago: FE!t&er
!t !s l!0e a rea4less an un!sturbe slee# or !t o#ens a ne8 8orl to
8&!%& t&e goo 4an %an loo0 for8ar 8!t& &o#e'H
Research in the (uture
Resear%& toa" e$ol$es so4e tentat!$e outl!nes of future resear%&'
T&!s !s #art of #resent resear%&' Let us see !f 8e %an as%erta!n t&e 4ost
reasonable !re%t!ons an allo%at!ons'
F!rst an e$aluat!on an %r!t!%!s4 of t&!s #resent 8or0 see4s !n orer'
Ob?e%t!ons, %r!t!%!s4s an ne8 f!n!ngs nee to be %o44un!%ate bot&
a4ongst t&ose %on%erne 8!t& !44ortal!t" an longe$!t", an to t&e au5
t&or of t&!s 8or0' If so4e absolutel" !n$al!at!ng !llog!%al!t!es are foun,
or !f e2#er!4ents 8ere to #ro$e t&at #&"s!%al !44ortal!t" K4ean!ng t&e
o##ortun!t" of !nef!n!tel" #ost#on!ng eat&L !s a s%!ent!f!% !4#oss!b!l!t"
t&en of %ourse !t 8oul a##ear t&at t&!s #ro?e%t s&oul be ro##e'
Ho8e$er, !f t&e argu4ents an t&e e$!en%e #resente or a$a!lable
are %arefull" 8e!g&e an t&e" !n!%ate so4e #oss!ble or reasonable as5
suran%e t&at #&"s!%al !44ortal!t" !s not !4#oss!ble t&en t&!s 8oul log!5
%all" !n!%ate t&at our 4!ns s&oul %ons!er 8&!%& resear%& offers t&e
4ost #ro4!se' An t&!s !n%lues t&e a8areness t&at great !s%o$er!es of5
ten o%%ur !n une2#e%te #la%es' It also !n%lues t&e 0no8lege t&at 4ost
resear%& %an be #lanne for es#!te t&e re4!n!ng !ron!es of fate'
(e#en!ng on 8&at "ou !n%lue !n resear%&, an ta0!ng t&e globe as a
s!ngle un!t, t&e a4ounts s#ent !n t&e -.t& %entur" &a$e s0"ro%0ete to
f!$e or ten b!ll!ons of ollars a "ear' Nearl" all of !t !s for reasons of
#o8er, #rest!ge an #ubl!%!t"' T&e for4 !t ta0es !s su##osel" t&e e2#lo5
rat!on of s#a%e' Alrea" t&ere !s gro8!ng res!stan%e to su%& e2#en!tures
8&en !t !s seen 8&at t&at sa4e a4ount of 4one" %oul o for eu%at!on,
33
for t&e #oor, an for t&e unere$elo#e nat!ons' If, &o8e$er, !t ra!ns
off t&e %onta%t #o!nts of 8ar or &el#s #ro$!e an e2!t for so4e 4e4bers
of t&e s#e%!es !nto t&e safet" of s#a%e !t 8!ll &a$e been 8ell 8ort&8&!le'
T&ere !s 4u%& about !t t&at !s 4oot' Per&a#s onl" t&e #assage of t!4e
8!ll !nfor4 us of t&e net effe%ts' Cons!er!ng !44e!ate effe%ts !t 8oul
a##ear t&at s#a%e resear%& !s for t&e best' No &ot 8ars are go!ng on at
t&!s !44e!ate ate' T&e ra!n!ng5off effe%t a##ears to be !n o#erat!on
8!t& t&e subst!tut!on of ne8er for4s of %o4#et!t!on an a%%o4#l!s&4ent'
It !s &o#e t&e !nfor4at!on 8!ll benef!t e$er"one e$entuall" an %erta!nl"
4an0!n 8oul ne$er get su%& s#a%e resear%& !f !t 8eren>t for t&!s 8e!r
t&ree5s!sters> 4!2 of benef!ts, !ron!es, an !nsan!t!es of nat!onal r!$alr"'
/ut t&!s &arl" #ro$es t&at t&e 4ore b!olog!%all" or!ente resear%& !s se%5
onar"' For !f 8e re4e4ber our grounstone, t&e #r!4ar" $alue of t&e
!n!$!ual, !t 4eans t&at 8e are obl!gate, !n orer to be &u4ane as 8ell
as %ons!stent to e2#an our resear%& !n b!olog", #&"s!olog" an %"ber5
net!%s'
As an as!e, !f 8e 8!s&e to stoo# to %rass #o8er %ons!erat!ons, an
!n t&!n0!ng of t&e #o8er of t&e state 8&!%& %ontrols resear%& e%!s!ons
no8, !t 4a" be #o!nte out t&at t&e nat!ons 8&!%& re#eat t&e!r alleg!an%e
to t&e !n!$!ual 8oul rea# great #ubl!%!t" benef!ts b" 8or0!ng to8ar
an e$entuall" a%&!e$!ng #&"s!%al !44ortal!t" for t&e!r %!t!@ens' T&ese
sa4e nat!ons often nee 4ore #eo#le to offset t&e state5or!ente nat!ons
8!t& t&e!r su#erabunan%e of be!ngs' If t&e o#en so%!et!es o not 0ee#
e$en !n t&!s t"#e of resear%& t&e state5%entere nat!ons 8!ll a%&!e$e !t as
!ron" 8oul &a$e !t' E$en !f bot& e2traterrestr!al e2#lorat!on an !44or5
tal!t" resear%& 8ere to be f!nan%e out of #o8er 4ot!$es #ubl!% $!%e
8oul lea to #r!$ate $!rtue: !'e', benef!t'
No 4atter &o8 or 8&o !s #ro$!!ng t&e resour%es for resear%& t&e
4ost effe%t!$e 8a" of obta!n!ng long run benef!ts to !n!$!uals an so5
%!et" !s to let !n!$!ual s%!ent!sts e%!e t&e!r #at& of resear%&' Profes5
sor A' C' /' Lo$ell &as broug&t t&!s &o4e rat&er %on$!n%!ngl" !n &!s
boo0 The $ndividual and the Universe 8&ere &e s&o8s t&at so%!et!es are
no8 #ast t&e stage 8&ere t&e !n!$!ual suffers a%tual bo!l" &ar4 or
eat& be%ause of &!s astrono4!%al t&eor!es' It !s <u!te %on%e!$able t&at
#!<ue an 4o4entar" &"ster!a 4a" lea to e%ono4!% #erse%ut!on but t&!s
!s unl!0el" o$er astrono4!%al t&eor" #er se' If t&e astrono4er engages !n
#ol!t!%al %ontro$ers" t&en of %ourse &e !s $ulnerable for t&at !s 8&at #er5
se%ut!on !s %on%erne 8!t& !n t&e -.t& %entur"' Also 8e are 4o$!ng #ast
a 7..5"ear era bet8een =al!leo an t&e -..5!n%& Hale teles%o#e !n 8&!%&
astrono4" 8as #r!$atel" f!nan%e' For t&e nat!on5states no8 re%ogn!@e
t&at astrono4" !s a ne%essar" an useful tool of nat!onal #o8er' T&us,
8e are no8 !n an era 8&ere t&e state #ro$!es t&e funs an often %on5
trols t&e !re%t!on of resear%&' Aust &o8 free t&e s%!ent!st 8!ll be !n t&e
future !s un0no8n' /ut to ate Lo$ell t&!n0s t&at s%!ent!sts !n t&e
C'S'S'R' 8!t& t&e aut&or!t" to e%!e on 8&!%& #ro?e%ts to #ursue an t&e
resour%es to %arr" t&e4 out &as 4ae t&e Russ!ans f!rst !n s#a%e' On t&e
ot&er s!e of t&e #lanet a =eneral /ull4oose %oul not unerstan 8&" !t
!s !4#ortant to e2#lore t&e 4oon' An a grou# of %onser$at!$e ort&oo2
#ubl!%s, less 0no8legeable an relat!$el" !n!fferent to s%!en%e b" %o45
#ar!son 8!t& t&e!r Russ!an bret&ren, ga$e t&!s general t"#e of e%!s!on
4a0er t&e!r full !n!fferent su##ort'
Lunar 4"o#!a !s no8 be!ng %orre%te but t&!s s&ort5s!g&teness st!ll
e2!sts to8ar nearl" all of t&e ot&er s%!ent!f!% f!els' T&e s%!ent!f!% 4an5
#o8er !n t&e f!els of %"bernet!%s, #&"s!olog" an b!olog" &a$e no8&ere
been saturate 8!t& t&e resour%es neee for t&e 4ost eff!%!ent %on!5
t!ons of !s%o$er"' Nor &a$e t&e #oss!b!l!t!es been e2&auste for an eff!5
%!ent net8or0 of %o44un!%at!on su%& as t&e %"bernet!%!sts &a$e been
s#ea0!ng for' T&ere see4s to be no t&eoret!%al reason 8&" t&e results of
e$er" laborator" on eart& 4a" not be #oste a!l" !nto an ele%tron!% s"s5
te4 %onne%te 8!t& e$er" ot&er laborator", s%&ool, l!brar", an &o4e at
#oss!bl" no 4ore %ost t&an so4e bus!ness #&ones' T&!s sa4e s"ste4
%oul also %onta!n a%%ess to e$er" boo0 an #er!o!%al !n t&e 8orl an
#oss!bl" to %o4#uters'
Co44un!%at!on nets an s#eee an e2#ane translat!on ser$!%es
are so4e of t&e fa%!l!tators t&at go$ern4ents %an #ro$!e or $astl" !45
#ro$e u#on as 8ell as #ro$!e t&e funs for a broaer range of resear%&'
C"bernet!%s es#e%!all" !s t&e %ru%!al f!el for brea0t&roug&s' It &as al5
rea" #ro$!e se$eral !n %o4#ut!ng 4a%&!ner" an !n auto4at!on' It
&as fert!l!@e t&e rest of t&e s%!en%es 4ore t&an an" ot&er !s%!#l!ne' Its
re4a!n!ng %a#a%!t" 4a" be as "et untou%&e' Pla%!ng e2tra funs !n t&!s
%"bernet!% area 4a" obta!n t&!n0!ng 4a%&!nes t&at #ro$!e t&e solut!on
for an" reasonable #roble4 t&at 8e %an #ose' It !s 8ell to re#eat t&at !f a
grou# of 4a%&!nes %an be bu!lt 8!t& IS of a 4ere :.. to *... let alone
&!g&er f!gures t&at As&b" #ostulates, t&e effe%ts of su%& !ntell!gen%e
%oul 8ell beggar t&e &u4an !4ag!nat!on'
41
%ifficulties
It 4a" be benef!%!al to fa%e our !ff!%ult!es for se$eral reasons' F!rst,
!t !s often e$!ent t&at t&e t&eor" %onstru%te best, su%& as (ar8!n>s, !s
t&e t&eor" 4ost <uest!one' Se%on, !t 8oul a##ear a 8aste of t!4e to
8or0 8!t& an !4#oss!b!l!t" or so4et&!ng 8&!%& returns 4ore &ar4 t&an
goo' T&!r, !n 4eet!ng so4e of t&e !ff!%ult!es t&e t&eor" !s better un5
erstoo' T&e !ff!%ult!es 8!ll be !$!e !nto t8o grou#s' T&e te%&n!%al
!ff!%ult!es follo8 !44e!atel" 8&!le t&e t&eoret!%al ones are reser$e
for t&e later #&!loso#&!% !s%uss!on'
T&e f!rst an 4ost %o44on res!stan%e 4et 8!t& !n !s%uss!on !s t&at
t&e ne8l"5!nfor4e 8!ll tr" t&e ta%0 of grant!ng !44ortal!t", as a #oss!5
b!l!t", but as0 8&et&er or not t&ere 8!ll be enoug& s#a%eE So t&e ob?e%5
t!on runs G g!$en !44ortal!t" t&e eart& 8!ll soon be %ra8l!ng 8!t& #eo5
#le unt!l t&ere 8!ll be nar" a s#ot to stan or breat&e' An before t&!s o%5
%urs, t&e s#e%ter r!ses t&at 4!ll!ons 8!ll star$e for e$entuall" !t 8!ll be
!4#oss!ble to es%a#e Malt&us!an la8s'
T&ose 8&o ob?e%t 8!t& t&!s argu4ent 4a" $er" 8ell be %orre%t but a
nu4ber of %ounter5argu4ents %o4e to 4!n' S#a%e, !n t&eor", &as been
o#ene 8!t& t&e enter!ng 8ege of #ra%t!%e r!g&t be&!n' If t&e #es5
s!4!sts %la!4 t&at none of t&e ot&er #lanets or satell!tes are &ab!table t&e
s%!en%e f!%t!on o#t!4!st along 8!t& t&e o#t!4!st!% s%!ent!st %la!4 t&at t&e"
%an be 4ae &ab!table' T&e 4oon %an be en$elo#e !n #art or totall"
8!t& a #last!% balloon to %onta!n an at4os#&ere 8&!%& %an be regulate
to #rou%e an" %l!4ate es!re'
T&e eart& !tself %an be s#at!all" re%on!t!one bot& b" &one"%o4b!ng
an b" us!ng t&e e2%a$ate 4ater!al to bu!l s&ells out8ar l!0e t&e la"5
ers of an on!on #ro$!!ng for 4!ll!ons of t!4es t&e a4ount of l!$!ng
s#a%e 8e no8 &a$e' T&ere are !nnu4erable solut!ons' T&e general re#l"
!s t&at !f 4an !s #resse to f!gure out ne8 solut!ons &e &as t&us far s&o8n
&!4self able to 4eet t&e4'
Anot&er ob?e%t!on or 8oner t&at !s 4et 8!t& !n tal0!ng about !44or5
tal!t" !s 8&et&er or not t&ere 8!ll be enoug& s#a%e to bur" t&ese #eo#le !n
%ol storage unt!l t&e brea0t&roug&s !n rean!4at!on an #rolongat!on of
l!fe are a%&!e$eE In atte4#t!ng to ans8er t&!s, !t s&oul be as0e
8&et&er or not $er" 4an" #eo#le 8!ll be rus&!ng to be%o4e bur!e !n
t&!s fas&!onE Woul !t not be safer to %ount one>s bo!es before 8orr"!ng
about t&e la%0 of s#a%eE /ut assu4!ng t&e !ea oes ga!n a &ear!ng an
!s re%e!$e 8!t& a##ro$al b" a large #ort!on of 4an0!n BB &a$e t&e
gra$e"ars of t&e 8orl ta0en an !nor!nate a4ount of s#a%eE E$en !f
42
one b!ll!on !n!$!uals !e before t&e rean!4at!on an 4a!ntenan%e
te%&n!<ues 8ere #erfe%te t&e a4ount of s#a%e ta0en b" t&ese b!ll!on
bo!es 8oul a4ount to no 4ore t&an a str!# of lan f!$e 4!les b" t8o
4!les b" one &unre feet' E$en one &u4an be!ng !s 8ort& t&at 4u%&
fro@en tunra'
A %losel" all!e ob?e%t!on !s t&at t&e rean!4ate, assu4!ng t&e" 4a"
be rean!4ate, 8!ll !4#ose a ra!n on t&e resour%es of -*st or --n %en5
tur" of 4an0!n' (o 8e $alue &u4an l!fe so l!ttle t&at so4e s4all sa%r!5
f!%e !s rule outE (o 8e assu4e t&at t&e rean!4ate are not a resour%e
t&e4sel$esE W&at about t&e gra!n an foo storage #lanE Wouln>t !t
a##ear t&at 8e &a$e al4ost enoug& foo for t&e4 no8E Aga!n, an !n
general, !s not t&e &u4an !ntelle%t %a#able of 4eet!ng su%& a #roble4E
An !f t&e ato4!% fus!on 8ars el!4!nate t&e 4a?or!t" of t&e &u4an
s#e%!es, 8!ll 8e not 8el%o4e 8&ate$er re#o#ulat!on 4a" %o4e to us
fro4 t&e eaE Couln>t !t be t&oug&t of as &el#!ng guarantee t&e %ont!n5
uat!on of t&e s#e%!es Ho4o sa#!ensE
T&e se%on set of !ff!%ult!es 4a" be %ons!ere uner t!4e #roble4s'
T&e ob?e%t!on ar!ses t&at t&e lengt& of t!4e unt!l rean!4at!on an trans5
4!ss!on are a%&!e$e 8!ll be so far !n t&e future, as far as 8e 0no8, e$en
!f !t e$er &a##ens, t&at !t !s better ?ust to 8a!t for t&e !s%o$er!es of s%!5
en%e before st!rr!ng t&e 8aters' T&e ob?e%t!on %ont!nues t&at %an%er re5
sear%& an l!fe5s"nt&es!s &a$e been go!ng on !nter4!nabl" 8!t&out su%5
%ess' An e$en !f a %ure for %an%er 8ere foun t&e trans4!ss!on an
re5%reat!on #roble4s are so 4u%& 4ore !ff!%ult as to be !n%o4#arable'
T&!s se%on set of !ff!%ult!es or ob?e%t!ons 4a" 4et b" re%all!ng t&e
4ult!tue of #roble4s t&at 8ere on%e %ons!ere !4#oss!ble an not!%!ng
&o8 <u!%0l" 4an" of t&e4 %a4e about' T&e ato4 bo4bs, so 4u%& !n t&e
at4os#&ere of toa", loo4 to 4!n' T&e lengt& of t!4e neee to effe%t
t&e4 %ons!er!ng t&e lengt& of t!4e 4an &as o%%u#!e t&e #lanet !s !n5
f!n!tes!4al b" %o4#ar!son' =rante t&at !t 4a" ta0e a %ons!erable
lengt& of t!4e BB oes t&!s 4a0e 4u%& !fferen%e as long as t&e ea l!e
8ell5#reser$eE Cons!er also for a 4o4ent, t&at trans4utat!on of ele5
4ents &as been a rea4 of 4an for ages before so4eone 8as a%tuall"
able to o !t' /ut re4e4ber!ng t&at our rate of !s%o$er" !s #&eno4enal5
l" a%%elerate, !t !s l!0el", all t&!ngs be!ng e<ual, t&at our ne2t !s%o$er!es
8!ll ta0e so longE
A!t!onall", !sn>t !t al4ost a ef!n!t!on of !ntell!gent t&oug&t to t&!n0
t&roug& t&e #oss!b!l!t!es of an e$ent before t&e e$ent ta0es #la%eE T&!s
8a" one !s able to 4eet t&e %onse<uen%es: to #lan a&ea, to ut!l!@e an
en?o" t&e benef!ts of !44ortal!t" an #er&a#s a$o! an" unfortunate %on5
se<uen%es' T&!s %an>t be one !f "ou 8a!t unt!l after t&e fa%t'
43
Can%er 8!ll ne$er be %ure, nor l!fe s"nt&es!@eM t&ese ob?e%t!ons 8!ll
%o4e u#' In real!t" t&ere &as been %ons!erable #rogress' So4e re5
sear%&ers a##arentl" &a$e foun 4et&os b" 8&!%& %erta!n t"#es of %an5
%er %an be sto##e' It goes 8!t&out sa"!ng t&at an !44ense a4ount re5
4a!ns to be one' T&e sa4e !s true of l!fe5s"nt&es!s' So4e ru!4entar"
u#l!%at!ons &a$e been a##ro2!4ate' T&at trans4!ss!on an re5%reat!on
#roble4s are 4ore !ff!%ult t&an l!fe5s"nt&es!s re4a!ns to be seen' E$en
!f !t 8ere t&!s 8oul be no ob?e%t!on to ta%0l!ng !t'
A t&!r set of !ff!%ult!es or ob?e%t!ons 4a" relate to 4et&os an #os5
s!b!l!t!es' It 4a" be %la!4e t&at rean!4at!on or re5%reat!on are #atentl"
!4#oss!ble' Mu%& of t&e argu4ent of t&!s 8or0 &as been t&at so4e of re5
an!4at!on an re5%reat!on, !n !ts #r!4!t!$e stages, a%tuall" o%%ur toa"' It
4a" be 8ell to re4e4ber t&at F!4#oss!bleH !s a $er" angerous 8or to
use !n s%!en%e' Lor Rut&erfor felt t&at ato4!% f!ss!on 8oul ne$er o%5
%ur' In t&e *,t& %entur" a great %ro8 of /r!t!s&ers turne out to 8at%&
t&e laun%&!ng BB an t&us naturall" t&e s!n0!ng BB of t&e f!rst !ron s&!#'
Earl!er %entur!es t&an ours felt !t 8as !4#oss!ble for 4an to s"nt&es!@e an
organ!% %o4#oun' An so !t goes o8n an !nter4!nable l!st'
/ut !t 8!ll be urge t&at 4en &a$e e2#e%te to a%&!e$e so4e t&!ngs
l!0e a #er#etual 4ot!on 4a%&!ne 8&!%& !s analogous to !44ortal!t" an
that !s #la!nl" !4#oss!ble' It 4a" be grante t&at a #er#etual 4ot!on 4a5
%&!ne !s #la!nl" !4#oss!ble' T&e 4a%&!ne e$entuall" sto#s be%ause e2tra
energ" !s en!e' Ho8e$er, t&e analog" oes not &ol for t&e !44ortal
#erson or 4a%&!ne, for all t&e energ" !n t&e 8orl !s o#en to t&e4 to sus5
ta!n t&e!r %ont!nu!ng e2!sten%e' Certa!nl", t&ere %an be l!ttle oubt t&at as
long as a 4a%&!ne !s re#a!re an su##l!e 8!t& energ" !t 8!ll %ont!nue to
o#erate'
It 8!ll be ob?e%te t&at an" one or all of t&e 4et&os of rean!4at!on,
trans4!ss!on, re#la%e4ent or re5%reat!on 8!ll 1not3 necessarily be t&e so5
lut!on, grante t&ere !s a solut!on at so4e far future ate' T&!s ob?e%t!on
%an be a%%e#te' T&e 4et&os suggeste !n t&!s 8or0 are ones onl"
t&oug&t to be 4ost #robable' No ef!n!te state4ents %an be 4ae' T&e
outl!nes of t&e future are notor!ousl" &a@arous to #resage' T&e %on5
tent!on !s, &o8e$er, t&at t&e #roble4s of #&"s!%al !44ortal!t" 8!ll be
sol$e b" some 4et&o, t&e e2a%t one !s of %ourse #resu4#tuous to fore5
%ast' It !s be"on t&e #ale of %re!b!l!t" to !4ag!ne t&at longe$!t" 8!ll
e%rease rat&er t&an !n%rease !n t&e future' /ut on t&e future !n general
let us l!sten to t&at g!ant !ntelle%t !n t&e real4 of %&e4!%al t&eor": L!nus
Paul!ng as &e sur$e"s t&e f!el fro4 t&e 4!5%entur" #o!nt'
FT&e great !s%o$er!es of t&e future BB t&ose t&at 8!ll 4a0e t&e
44
8orl !fferent fro4 t&e #resent 8orl BB are t&e !s%o$er!es t&at
no one &as "et t&oug&t about, t&e !s%o$er!es t&at 8!ll !n fa%t be
4ae as soon as t&e !eas unerl"!ng t&e4 ta0e s&a#e !n t&e 4!n of
so4e !4ag!nat!$e s%!ent!st' W&o !s t&ere a4ong us 8&o *. "ears
ago 8oul &a$e #re!%te t&at t&e f!el of nu%lear stru%ture an
ato4!% energ" 8oul e$elo# !n t&e 8a" t&at !t &asE W&o %an no8
sa" 8&at t&e great !s%o$er!es of t&e ne2t *. "ears 8!ll beE /ut I
0no8 also t&at st!ll 4ore !nterest!ng !s%o$er!es 8!ll be 4ae t&at I
&a$e not t&e !4ag!nat!on to es%r!be BB an I a4 a8a!t!ng t&e4 full
of %ur!os!t" an ent&us!as4'H
*:
45
C&a#ter 7
IN THE CAIE
In t&e #re$!ous %&a#ter resear%& 8as re$!e8e 8!t& t&e !eas !t
suggeste along 8!t& so4e of t&e !ff!%ult!es of e$entuall" atta!n!ng s%!5
ent!f!% #&"s!%al !44ortal!t"' No8 !t !s t!4e to str!$e to8ar relat!ng t&e
#oss!b!l!t!es of a%&!e$!ng !44ortal!t" to t&e l!$!ng !n!$!ual &ere an
no8' T&e follo8!ng 8!ll !s%uss t&e 4ost log!%al 4et&o of #reser$!ng
t&e bo" !n %ase of eat& BB lo85te4#erature #reser$at!on BB an %er5
ta!n as#e%ts #ert!nent to t&at' Aga!n t&!s 8!ll be #reser$at!on 8!t& an e"e
to8ar e$entual rean!4at!on !n a later age'
T&e 4anner of eat& !s !4#ortant, but !4#ortant 8!t&!n rat&er 8!e
l!4!ts for t&e 4oe of eat& !s not so %ru%!al as to ob$!ate resurre%t!on
but to 4a0e !t eas!er or 4ore !ff!%ult' If t&e 4anner of eat& !s unfa$or5
able, su%& as $!olent %rus&!ng of so4e bo" #arts, or fatal !seases or
#o!sons, t&e return to l!fe !s ob$!ousl" 4ore !ff!%ult' Ho8e$er &a$!ng
fa!t& t&at rat&er g!ant str!es 8!ll %ont!nue !n t&e s%!en%es t&e #art!%ular
!sease or #o!son !n t&e bo" at eat& 8!ll not be so !4#ortant !n %o45
#ar!son to &a$!ng a usable #attern'
T&e general t&eor" of resurre%t!on !n!%ate t&at to re%reate t&e !n!5
$!ual !ent!t" t&e or!g!nal #attern 4ust be !n e2!sten%e !n a for4 t&at &as
not eter!orate to an" s!gn!f!%ant egree' S%!en%e %an f!ll so4e of t&e
la%unae, but t&e 4ore t&ere are to f!ll t&e 4ore !ff!%ult t&e ?ob an t&e
less %onf!en%e t&at t&e %o#" !s e2a%tl" re#resentat!$e of t&e or!g!nal' So
!n s&ort, !t !s es!rable t&at t&e bo" be !n t&e best #oss!ble %on!t!on b"
t&e t!4e resus%!tat!on 4et&os are #ra%t!%al an rel!able' T&e target ate,
let us sa", rat&er &o#efull", but arb!trar!l" %&osen, !s -.*.' T&us !f "ou
!e before t&e 4et&os of trans4!ss!on or %ont!nuan%e are effe%t!$el"
a%&!e$e an !f "ou 8!s& !44ortal!t" #&"s!%all" "our bo" 4ust be #re5
ser$e' If "ou o not 8!s& #&"s!%al !44ortal!t" t&en t&at !s anot&er %ase
1&a$!ng3 not&!ng to o 8!t& t&!s one' Res#e%t for t&e !n!$!ual, t&e r!g&t
to a %ont!nuan%e of l!fe, an abo$e all t&e !n!$!ual>s freeo4 to %&oose
&!s est!n" are t&e #r!4e $alues' If &e or s&e o#ts for t&!s 8a" as t&e
4ost #robable 4et&o of e$entual %ons%!ous %ont!nuan%e t&en &!s %&o!%e
!s res#e%te an !t !s t&e ?ob of t&e s%!ent!st as 8ell as ot&er 4e4bers of
so%!et" to %arr" t&at es!re to fru!t!on' T&e bas!% !nstru%t!on !s o8n 8!t&
t&e !n!$!ual>s reg!strat!on of &!s 8!s&es an fro4 t&en on t&e ?ob e5
4ans %o4#let!on b" so%!et" of 8&!%& &e !s a #art' No8 8&at !s t&e best
4et&o to %arr" out t&e general !nstru%t!ons for t&e best #oss!ble #reser5
46
$at!on of t&e e%ease bo"E
No 4atter &o8 "ou !e t&e best 4anner of #reser$at!on of t&e %ellular
stru%ture !s t&roug& ee# free@!ng' F(o "ou 4ean t&at I a4 to be fro@en
?ust l!0e a $egetable or a s!e of beefEH T&e onl" re#l!es are BB (o "ou
8!s& to l!$e aga!nE Is !t not better t&an to be foo for t&e 8or4sE Or to
be as& float!ng !n t&e 8!nE Or ust unerfootE W&at #&"s!%al %&an%e
&a$e "ou as ustE Tell 4e &onestl" fro4 8&at "ou 0no8 about t&e
8orlE An !f "ou are ea as 8e assu4e for t&e #ur#oses of t&!s anal5
"s!s 8!ll "ou 0no8 an" #&"s!%al sensat!on !f "ou are fro@en after "ou
!eE Can t&e ea feel an"t&!ngE It !s a ne$er5en!ng aston!s&4ent t&at
%erta!n #eo#le 8!ll ob?e%t on t&e grouns of &o8 %ol !t 8!ll beN
Or su##ose for an !nstant t&at "ou )ne! !rre$o%abl" t&at "ou 8ere to
!e to4orro8, or 8!t&!n a 4ont&, or t&at "ou %oul not l!$e unt!l t&e %on5
t!nuan%e #ro%esses 8ere #erfe%te at our arb!trar" a" 1set3 to -.*.'
W&at 8oul be t&e 4ost log!%al #ro%eureE Yes, !f "ou 0ne8 "our t!4e
8as ef!n!tel" u# to4orro8 !t 8oul #er&a#s be best to 8al0 to "our lo5
%al free@!ng #lant after be!ng assure t&at "our 8!s&es 8ere 0no8n an
8oul be effe%te' If "ou &a a 4ont& to l!$e "our arrange4ents %oul
be 4ae !n a sl!g&tl" 4ore le!surel" fas&!on an "ou %oul #er&a#s ar5
range for, or boo0 #assage #ersonall" to, t&e #ro#ose rest!ng #la%e'
Presu4abl" after %areful t&oug&t an !s%uss!on 8!t& t&e best 4!ns
a$a!lable on t&e sub?e%t, an 8!t& relat!$es an o%tors, "ou 8oul e5
%!e t&at $oluntar" free@!ng 4!g&t not be t&e 8orst of all #oss!ble eat&s'
Aut&ors su%& as Aa%0 Lonon, T&o4as Mann, I!l&?al4ur Stefansson an
Hallor La2ness !n!%ate t&at free@!ng to eat& !s l!0e fall!ng !nto slee#'
Its #o8er an a##eal !s al4ost !rres!st!ble' /ut #robabl" t&e o%tor
8oul g!$e "ou an anest&et!% so "ou 8ouln>t e$en &a$e goose #!4#les'
Aga!n t&!s assu4es t&at free@!ng 8as %onsonant 8!t& "our orers an e5
s!res' La4entabl" so4e %o44un!t!es an !nst!tut!ons as "et o not full"
res#e%t t&e 8!s&es of t&e !n!$!ual' In t&!s %ase !t 8oul 4ean t&at !f
"ou %oul not %&ange t&e lo%al b!as "ou 8oul &a$e to re4o$e "ourself
to a 4ore a$an%e %o44un!t" or be fro@en unergroun so to s#ea0'
/ut 4ore of t&e %onfl!%ts 8!t& legal!t" an #&!loso#&" later' R!g&t no8
t&e a!4 !s to %ont!nue tra%!ng t&e best 4et&o a$a!lable for t&e #reser$a5
t!on of t&e bo"'
Let us no8 ta0e t&e %ase of t&e 4ore or less or!nar" eat&' For t&e
%ase of a 4an learn!ng t&at &!s eat& 8as !ne$!table on t&e follo8!ng a"
!s a4!ttel" rare' It 8oul #ro$!e t&e best #reser$e bo" #er&a#s but
resus%!tat!on of a bo" "!ng nor4all" an t&en #ro#erl" store !s b" no
4eans !n%on%e!$able' In t&!s 4ore %o44on %ase 8e 8!ll assu4e t&e
4an &as e2#resse &!s 8!s& to be #reser$e b" lo8 te4#erature' T&e
47
8!ll 4!g&t state t&at an" ot&er 4et&o 8oul be a%%e#table !f !n t&e o#!n5
!on of t&e e2#erts !t 8as su#er!or' P!%0l!ng, for !nstan%e, !s %on%e!$able'
/ut as!e fro4 t&e aest&et!% 4ort!f!%at!on of t&e t&oug&t, for a%tual #&"s5
!%al reasons, slo8 e%o4#os!t!on rules t&!s out !n fa$or of free@!ng'
T&us, !n t&e %ase of an or!nar" eat& t&e #ro%eure !s to get t&e bo"
fro@en as <u!%0l" as #oss!ble, relat!$el" s#ea0!ng, an t&en 4a!nta!n t&at
te4#erature 8!t& as l!ttle $ar!at!on as #oss!ble' Probabl" t&e best te45
#erature for storage !s %lose to -. egrees Fa&ren&e!t' T&en to 4a0e
#reser$at!on st!ll 4ore #erfe%t !t 8oul be best to &a$e a %off!n !n 8&!%&
t&e a!r %oul be e$a%uate or re4o$e as an !nert gas !s flooe !n' To
lea$e !t a $a%uu4 8oul result !n a tenen%" of t&e bo" to lose 4o!sture
to t&e $a%uu4' An !nert gas su%& as neon, 0r"#ton, argon, or &el!u4 !n5
&!b!ts an" e2%&ange of 4o!sture or ele4ents bet8een t&e bo" an t&e
en$!ron4ent #ro$!e t&e lo8 te4#erature !s 4a!nta!ne' T&e %off!n
4!g&t be su!tabl" seale !n an en$elo#e of glass or #last!%' Se$eral
gauges !nstalle 4!g&t #oss!bl" be of benef!t !n!%at!ng an" loss of gas
or %&ange of #ressure or te4#erature so t&at su%& %&anges %oul be %or5
re%te return!ng t&e bo" to e<u!l!br!u4' Cner reasonabl" !eal %on!5
t!ons a sa4#l!ng of t&e gauges on%e e$er" se$eral "ears 4!g&t be sat!s5
fa%tor"'
T&e seale gas an gauges te%&n!<ue 4a" be an unne%essar" #re%au5
t!on' T&e #easant 8&o !s bur!e belo8 t&e #er4afrost l!ne !n S!ber!a 4a"
be #reser$e al4ost as 8ell' It %an be re4e4bere t&at t&ose #re&!stor!%
4a44ot&s fro@en !n t&e onslaug&t of an un#re%eente bl!@@ar 8ere
#erfe%tl" #reser$e for 4!ll!ons of "ears' T&e $er" foo t&e" &a eaten a
fe8 &ours before free@!ng 8as st!ll fres& an green !n t&e!r sto4a%&s'
T&e ne2t one t&e" f!n t&e" 4!g&t lea$e !n t&e fro@en state for a fe8
4ore e%aes' Our %&!lren, or t&e!r %&!lren, 8oul greatl" a##re%!ate a
l!$e resurre%te 4a44ot&M !t 4!g&t #ut all of us !n %loser tou%& 8!t& t&e
#ast of our %a$e 4en an%estors' Per&a#s so4e %a$e 4an l!es fro@en
so4e8&ere a8a!t!ng an une2#e%te a8a0en!ngE T&at 4a" be not&!ng
4ore t&an a &o#eful fan%" rebell!ng aga!nst t&e gra$!t" of s%!en%e, &o85
e$er'
Return!ng to t&e 4ore !44e!ate real!t" t&e #roble4 of %ost 4ust be
%ons!ere' For our S!ber!an or our Es0!4o t&e %ost 8oul be t&e effort
of &!s sur$!$ors to !g a gra$e belo8 t&e #er4afrost l!ne' Mot&er Eart&
ensures &!s #reser$at!on fro4 t&ere on' Ho8e$er, 8!t& sl!g&tl" greater
%ost t&e %on!t!ons %oul be 4ae 4u%& 4ore !eal' Mu%& of t&e %ost
e#ens on 8&ere t&e #erson !es' T&e ret!re #erson 8&o !es !n Flor!5
a or t&e nat!$e 8&o !es !n Angola &as <u!te an obsta%le to sur4ount as5
su4!ng t&at &e 8!s&es to ensure t&e #reser$at!on of &!s bo"' T&e #er5
48
4afrost l!ne l!es 4an" ollars an 4an" 4!les to t&e nort& Kor sout&L of
&!4' Ant!<uate la8s an re ta#e 4a" r!$e t&e %ost u# 4u%& furt&er
before &e %oul rea%& &!s rest!ng #la%e' If &e tr!es to re4a!n on nat!$e
groun !n t&e #referre lo8 te4#erature %on!t!on t&e %ost 8oul be #er5
&a#s :.. to *... ollars for a rel!able free@!ng %off!n an fro4 four to
s!2 ollars a 4ont& ele%tr!% b!ll !f not 4ore' If ato4!% ele%tr!% #o8er
r!$es t&e %ost of ele%tr!%!t" o8n #re%!#!tousl" !t 4a" %o4#ensate for
t&e %ost of trans#ortat!on to an e$entuall" fro4 t&e #er4afrost en$!rons'
Ho8e$er, rel!ab!l!t" 8!ll st!ll be no s4all fa%tor to o$er%o4e' We 0no8
of t&e losses e$er" "ear fro4 t&e fa!lure of t&e flo8 of ele%tr!%!t" !n t&e
fro@en foo !nustr!es an &o4es' T&e #roble4s en%ountere !n re#a!rs
an e4ergen%" generators 4a0e us loo0 for8ar &o#efull" to better
4et&os of 4a!nta!n!ng lo8 te4#eratures' T&en, %ons!er!ng t&e e$as5
tat!on #oss!bl" b" Worl Wars T&ree an Four, !t see4s 4ore reasonable
at t&!s #o!nt to trust "our safet" 8!t& t&e %onstan%" of ol Mot&er Eart&
rat&er t&an 4en for so4e t!4e to %o4e, at least as far as t&e storage !tself
!s %on%erne' E$en !f 4an, t&at r!%0et" for0e an!4al, rat!onal at t!4es
an !rrat!onal at ot&er t!4es, s&oul blast &!4self fro4 t&e ege of &!s
#lanet, t&e eart& 8!ll #reser$e "ou no 4atter &o8 long !t ta0es unt!l t&e
ne2t %!$!l!@at!on r!ses, or unt!l a$enturers fro4 ot&er s"ste4s re$!$e
"ou'
49
C&a#ter 6
IMMORTALITY AN( ACTOMATA IN FICTION
T&e !4ag!nat!$e l!terature !s to be %ontraste 8!t& t&e s%!ent!f!%
8&!%& a##arentl" flo8s !n a l!ne or!g!nat!ng 8!t& t&e ato4!st (e4o%r!tus
an t&e natural!st H!##o%rates Kbot& 6,.579. /'C'L to t&e refle2!st
(es%artes K*:+,5*,:.L t&roug& t&e be&a$!or!sts S&err!ngton an Pa$lo$
K#art of t&!s %entur"L to As&b", =re" Walter, an W!ener, our %onte4#o5
rar!es'
In t&e !4ag!nat!$e l!terature Ca4us> $er" subtle Fl!ttle robotH 4a" be
%ontraste 8!t& Ca#e0>s $er" #resent robots' If 8e !nter#ret as 8e often
4ust !n t&!s t"#e of l!terature 8&!%& !s %onense an #oet!%, to ferret5out
t&e !4#l!e 4ean!ngs, an t&us t&e r!%&ness of a %on%!se 8ell5%onstru%t5
e 8or0 BB as !n t&e %ase of The tranger, !t !s !n$ar!abl" foun t&at
4u%& 4ore !s latent t&an 4eets t&e e"e' We 0no8, also, &o8 eas" !t !s to
go o$erboar 8!t& an ent&us!as4, but 8e also 0no8 t&at t&e aut&or>s
4!n BB often r!%&er t&an ours BB &as a!t!onal 4ean!ngs t&at 8e
4ust stret%& for' If 8e o%%as!onall" go to e2%ess at least 8e 4a" &a$e
foun so4e of t&e 4ean!ngs an %areful s%&olars&!# an !s%uss!on %an
al8a"s !nu%e us to retreat !f t&e a$an%e &as been un8arrante' W!t&
t&!s a#olog" an rat!onale, so often ne%essar" for t&e real!t"5#ur!sts 8&o
&a$e an a$ers!on to t&e use of !4ag!nat!on, 8e 8!ll #ro%ee 8!t& t&e
F&!en 4ean!ngH of t&e Fl!ttle robot'H
Ca4us 4a" &a$e !ntr!gu!ngl" f!tte toget&er se$eral %on%e#t!ons !n
t&!s Fo5loo0!ng l!ttle 8o4anH: t&at of a go5#rote%tress !n 4"t&olog"
BB Her4es5At&ena #er&a#s, an a l!ttle robot' FS&e &a a %&ubb" fa%e
l!0e a r!#e a##le, br!g&t e"esH an !ntense %on%ern 8!t& %o44un!%at!on
an s&e 4o$e 8!t& e2tre4e ra#!!t" as ! Her4es or &!s Ro4an %oun5
ter#art, Mer%ur"' L!0e At&ena, s&e 8as 8!t& Meursault t&roug&out &!s
o"sse" es%r!be as ne$er ta0!ng &er e"es off &!4' T&!s %reat!on blens
!n 8!t& t&e l!ttle robot %on%e#t of 4o$!ng F!n a %ur!ousl" ?er0" 8a", as !f
s&e 8ere on 8!resH an t&e %on%entrat!on of a 4a%&!ne: Fstu"!ng t&e b!ll
of fare 8!t& a sort of ra#t attent!on,H 1a3 F4et!%ulous attent!on'H In fa%t
s&e &as all of t&e %&ara%ter!st!%s of a Ca#e0 robot: F=a$e &er orer $er"
fast but <u!te !st!n%tl"M one !n>t lose a 8or,H Fa!ng u# t&e b!ll !n
a$an%eH #la%!ng Ft&e e2a%t su4, #lus a s4all t!#H on t&e %lot& !n front of
&er, &a Fabru#t, robotl!0e gestures, an 8al0e br!s0l"'H Mersault, our
&ero, tr"!ng to follo8 an 0ee# u# 8!t& &er 8as unable to' S!4!larl" &u5
4ans are !n%reas!ngl" unable to 0ee# u# 8!t& our ne8 robot %reat!ons'
50
L!0e8!se !n be&a$!or &u4ans &a$e been unable to 0ee# u# 8!t& t&e !e5
als #ostulate of t&e gos' FIn fa%t, t&e #a%e 8as too 4u%& for 4e, an I
soon lost s!g&t of &er an turne ba%0 &o4e8ar'H
*
So 8e 4a" &a$e Ca4us, stee#e !n 4"t&olog", g!$!ng us t&!s strange
4"t&!% %onstru%t!on of &alf go5#rote%tress an &alf robot' We to" 8!t&
t&e #oss!b!l!t" t&at Ca4us !s tell!ng us t&at !f t&ere 8ere gos t&!s 8oul
be t&e!r nature !n t&!s ato4!st!% un!$erse of ours' W&en t&e l!ttle robot
8o4an %o4es to Mersault>s 4!n for t&e last t!4e as &e !s $e2e b" t&e
%ler!% an t&e 4ean!ng of t&e un!$erse &e %on%lues t&at s&e !s as
Fgu!lt"H as t&e rest' If t&e gos 8ere !n so4e sense e2!stent an !n %on5
trol t&e!r res#ons!b!l!t" for e$!l 8oul follo8'
As 8e are !n%reas!ngl" e#enent on auto4ata 8!t& astoun!ng %a5
#a%!t!es, #er&a#s 8!t& ISs of un&ear of 4agn!tues 8e 8!ll t&!n0 4u%&
4ore on t&!s an !ne$!tabl" &ear 4u%& 4ore of !t fro4 #ul#!t an #en'
Ca#e0 ta0es us to al4ost t&e o##os!te #ole' If t&e reaer>s organ!%
!s#os!t!on !s o##ose to s"4bol!%, 4"t&!%, or so4et&!ng !nter#ret!$e
an 8!s&es ?ust goo stra!g&t A4er!%an stor"5tell!ng, t&en Ca#e0 !s t&e
8r!ter for &!4' He or!g!nate t&e 8or FrobotH #robabl" as an allus!on to
t&e 4e%&an!%al unt&!n0!ng e2!sten%e of t&e Frobotn!0,H a 8or for 8or05
er !n Pol!s&' K(o4!n' FNoon' We &a$e to blo8 t&e 8&!stle be%ause t&e
Robots on>t 0no8 8&en to sto# 8or0'HL In fa%t, Ca#e0>s robots are all
too &u4an for our #ur#ose of ferret!ng5out !eas of !44ortal!t" !n l!tera5
ture for t&e" !e onl" too soon' Ca#e0 be!ng !ntensel" %on%erne 8!t&
8or0, !nustr" an obsoles%en%e, &!s robots l!$e but -. "ears for t&e
%oarse graes an so4e8&at better for t&e su#er!or 4oels' T&e su#er!or
ones 8!t& a soul e$elo#!ng !n t!4e 8!t& e2#er!4entat!on be%a4e &u4an
or &u4an5l!0e' T&e!r e2!sten%e !as al8a"s guarantee b" 4en 8!t& t&e
se%ret of t&e!r 4anufa%ture' Ho8e$er, 8&en t&e robots o$ert&re8 4en,
t&e" 8ere #resse for a solut!on to t&e %ont!nuan%e of t&e!r o8n e2!s5
ten%e' F!nall", one of t&e4 e$!entl" learns t&e fa%ts of l!fe !n an anato5
4" boo0, en%ourag!ng &!4 an &!s lo$e, Aa4 an E$e5l!0e, to ste# !nto
t&e future' Ca#e0 8!t& &!s e"e al8a"s on 4en an !nustr!al #ra%t!%e
use t&e robots for so%!al %o44ent t!4e an aga!n, but t&e 4a!n #o!nt for
us !s t&e e$elo#4ental 4o$e4ent fro4 4a%&!ne to &u4an' /" &!s
4et&o, t&e" are st!ll 4ortal'
Ho8e$er, !f Ca#e0 !s a##arentl" s&" !n FR'C'R'H of t&!s <ual!t" of
longe$!t", &e 4a0es u# for !t !n a later 8or0 FT&e Ma0ro#oulos CaseH !n
8&!%& &e e2#lores t&e #roble4s of #eo#le 8&o l!$e to be 7.. "ears of
age'
S8!ft, long before t&!s, e2#lore t&e e2tene %ase !n &!s e$astat!ng
sat!re of t&e struldbrugs 8&o 8ere **.. %&an%e !44ortal offs#r!ng !n
51
t&e lan of Luggnag' /efore a%tuall" 4eet!ng t&!s #eo#le Le4uel =ul5
l!$er !s ba!te b" t&e %ourt !nto tell!ng &o8 &e 8oul rule &!s l!fe !f &e
8ere !44ortal' Le4uel sets u# a #&!loso#&er 0!ng of &!4self a %ross be5
t8een a na!$e So%rates an a goo5&earte Leo#ol /loo4: FI 8oul
enterta!n 4"self !n for4!ng an !re%t!ng t&e 4!ns of &o#eful "oung
4en, b" %on$!n%!ng t&e4 fro4 4" o8n re4e4bran%e, e2#er!en%e an
obser$at!on, fort!f!e b" nu4erous e2a4#les, of t&e usefulness of $!rtue
!n #ubl!% an #r!$ate l!fe'H
-
W&en &e a%tuall" 4a0es t&e!r a%<ua!ntan%e
&e f!ns t&e4 g&astl", nast", an brut!s&' H!s 4!sta0e la" !n &!s assu4#5
t!ons' =ull!$er assu4e !44ortal!t" 8!t& a sto# to #&"s!%al eter!ora5
t!on, 4u%& as 8e !n our !eal 4oel #ostulate 8!t& so4e %&o!%e !n #er5
sonal!t" 4ob!l!t" an %onstant re#a!r' =ull!$er later feels &!s or!g!nal as5
su4#t!on too !eal!st!%'
FT&at s"ste4 of l!$!ng %ontr!$e b" 4e 8as unreasonable an un?ust,
be%ause !t su##ose a #er#etu!t" of "out&, &ealt&, an $!gour, 8&!%&
no 4an %oul be so fool!s& to &o#e, &o8e$er e2tra$agant &e 4a" be
!n &!s 8!s&es' T&at t&e <uest!on t&ere 8as not 8&et&er a 4an 8oul
%&oose to be al8a"s !n t&e #r!4e of "out&, attene 8!t& #ros#er!t"
an &ealt&, but &o8 &e 8oul #ass a #er#etual l!fe uner all t&e usu5
al !sa$antages 8&!%& ol age br!ngs along 8!t& !t'H
7
Men no8 8oul agree' Cner t&ose %on!t!ons t&e" 8oul &a$e none
of !t' Ho8e$er, 4en>s es!res r!se 8!t& t&e sat!sfa%t!ons an #oss!b!l!t!es
s%!en%e offers so t&at #re$!ous ages are not 8!s& for 8&at so4e of us
&a$e an ta0e for grante' T&ere !s of %ourse 4et&o to t&e ol ean>s
4aness' He, l!0e Ca#e0, &as &!s e"e on 4en G !n t&!s %ase t&e ol age
of 4en' T&e #la!nest lesson for us !s t&at !44ortals 4ust &a$e bu!lt5!n
fle2!b!l!t", &ealt&, $!gor an &u4or'
Ca#e0, &o8e$er, &a a $ar!at!on S8!ft ! not a$a!l &!4self of' In
FT&e Ma0ro#oulos CaseH t&e #eo#le l!$e !n "out& for t&ree &unre
"ears 8&en #resu4abl" t&e" %oul rene8 t&e!r lease' T&oug& El!na
Ma0ro#oulos &a "out& s&e soon t!re of lo$e an e$entuall" leas an !r5
res#ons!ble l!fe' W!t& boreo4 an !rres#ons!b!l!t", t&e net out%o4e !s
s!4!lar 8!t& S8!ft>s BB !44ortal!t" !s so4et&!ng "ou %ouln>t g!$e
a8a"' Clerg"4an S8!ft 8asn>t reall" !ntereste !n !44ortal!t" as 8e
&a$e sa!' /ut Ca#e0 8as !ntereste !n !t at least t&eoret!%all"' An t&e5
oret!%all" &e ga$e a sour gra#es ans8er 8&!%& at least 4ae &!s au!en%e,
8!t& t&e!r l!4!te $!e8 of t&e #oss!b!l!t!es of l!fe an t&!s un!$erse !n
*+--, feel better'
More re%entl" Ao&n W"n&a4 &as e$elo#e t&e effe%ts of a !s%o$5
er" 8&!%& su##osel" ga$e &u4ans se$eral &unre e2tra "ears of l!fe b"
52
t&e use of an ant!gerone e$elo#e fro4 l!%&ens' T&e %ontrast 8!t&
Ca#e0 an S8!ft !s <u!te ef!n!te'
FAll 8e 8ant to o !s to give #eo#le so4et&!ng' To 4a0e an ol, ol
rea4 %o4e true' We %an offer t&e4 l!fe, 8!t& t!4e to l!$e !tM !n5
stea of a <u!%0 s%rabble for e2!sten%e, an f!n!s&' T!4e to gro8
8!se enoug& to bu!l a ne8 8orl' T!4e to be%o4e full 4en an
8o4en !nstea of o$ergro8n %&!lren'H
W&et&er or not &e !ntens us to ta0e t&e trouble !ith lichen ser!ousl" !s
o#en to <uest!on' He !s %erta!nl" !4#l"!ng t&at longe$!t" 8!ll be !n5
%rease rast!%all" an !t 8!ll %o4e about t&roug& t&e b!olog!%al s%!5
en%es' FIt !sn>t as s#e%ta%ular as t&e nu%lear bo"s> f!re8or0s, but !t>s 4ore
!4#ortant BB !n !ts 8a" !t !s 4ore !sru#t!$e, but !t !s #otent!all" a great
eal 4ore benef!%!al G 'H
He also feels t&at on%e t&e !ea !s out an %!r%ulat!ng !t al4ost !n5
e$!tabl" gro8s an e$elo#s' I44ortal!t", or !n t&!s %ase t&e #oss!b!l!t"
of t8o or t&ree &unre "ears of l!fe, !s a 4atter of e$olut!on' About t&e
!s%o$er" &e &as t&!s to sa": FIt 8asn>t !ntu!t!on, an !t 8asn>t %o44on
sense' It began 8!t& log!%al !nferen%e, 8as all but 8re%0e b" #re?u!%e,
an t&en sa$e b" s"ste4'H
Anot&er of t&e 4ore re%ent 8r!ters !s Isaa% As!4o$' He !s #&eno4e5
nall" #rol!f!% bot& !n $olu4e of &!s 8r!t!ngs an !n t&e nu4ber of &!s %re5
at!$e !eas' T&oug& &e &as 8r!tten $olu4es on b!olog" &!s 4ost so#&!s5
t!%ate an !ntr!gu!ng %on%e#t!ons !n$ol$e robots'
A %ar!nal $!rtue of As!4o$ !s t&e es%&e84ent of all #arano!a !n &!s
8r!t!ng, 8&!%& !s so %o44on !n nearl" all s%!en%e f!%t!on 8r!ters' T&us,
8e 4!g&t &a$e 4ore %onf!en%e !n &!s es%r!#t!ons of robots t&an #er5
&a#s an" ot&er 8r!ter' H!s robots &a$e an" an all &u4an %&ara%ter!st!%s
an, !n general, t&e" ten to be on t&e goo s!e' T&e" also re4a!n
t&e4sel$es' T&oug& t&e" %erta!nl" are a4!2tures ue to t&e!r #rou%5
t!on b" &u4ans !n!t!all", t&ere !s l!ttle of t&e Ca#e0 robots be%o4!ng sub5
st!tute &u4ans nor &u4ans be%o4e 4a%&!ne5l!0e, !n t&e restr!%te, r!g!
sense of t&e 8or' E$en uner t&e %o$er of, as5&u4ans 8&ere ne%essar",
t&e" reta!n t&e!r al4ost su#er!or !ent!t"'
T&e !nterest!ng %ase fro4 t&e stan#o!nt of !44ortal!t" !s t&e &u4an
be%o4!ng a robot, or t&e &u4an be!ng transfor4e !nto a 4a%&!ne, but !n
t&!s %ase 8!t&out an" restr!%t!on !n t&e sense of t&e 8or, but !n 1an3 e25
#ane sense of t&e #oss!b!l!t!es' It !s no or!nar" %ase, but As!4o$
s&o8s us 8&at &a##ens to an !ntell!gent 4an 8&en t&e 4!sfortunes of
#&"s!%al bo!l" !llness r!$e &!4 to tr" to be%o4e a robot:
53
FSo4e&o8 &e %oul obta!n #os!tron!% bra!ns, e$en a %o4#le2
one, one 8&!%& &a t&e greatest %a#a%!t" of for4!ng ?ug4ents !n
et&!%al #roble4s BB 8&!%& !s t&e &!g&est robot!% fun%t!on so far e5
$elo#e'
FHe gre8 a bo" about !t' Tra!ne !t to be e$er"t&!ng &e 8oul
&a$e been an 8as no longer' He sent !t out !nto t&e 8orl as
Ste#&en /"erl", re4a!n!ng be&!n &!4self as t&e ol, %r!##le tea%&5
er t&at no one e$er sa8'H
6
T&!s robot /"erl" sent out !nto t&e 8orl 8as no #ale subst!tute for a
&u4an be!ng' He ne!t&er ate, ran0 nor sle#t' He 8as a !str!%t attorne"
runn!ng for off!%e of 4a"or 8&ere la%0 of fat!gue an sa$!ng of t!4e are
no s4all boons' After be%o4!ng 4a"or &e be%a4e t&e f!rst Worl Co5
or!nator !n -.66, #rote%t!ng &u4ans fro4 t&e Ma%&!nes 8&o Fnu4er!5
%all"H e%!e all e%ono4!% e%!s!ons an 8ere t&oug&t to be a t&reat to
&u4ans'
T&e #ers#!%u!t" of As!4o$ !s su%& t&at 8e a##ear to &a$e a fa!rl" rea5
sonable es%r!#t!on of t&e robot future' T&e robots are a s#e%!es of
e$ol$!ng !4#ro$!ng for4s' T&e!r ab!l!t!es, lo"alt!es, e%%entr!%!t!es, &u5
4or, %a#a%!t!es are bot& astoun!ng an e2#e%te g!$en t&e su#er!or!t" of
t&e!r stru%ture' T&e" %ouln>t %o4e !nto be!ng 8!t&out 4en to %on%e!$e
an %reate t&e4M but t&at oesn>t negate one !ota t&e!r su#er!or <ual!t!es
8&!%& allo8 t&e4 to out5%o4#ete 4en an e$entuall" to be%o4e t&e #ro5
te%tors of 4en' T&e l!0eness of t&e &u4an %reator %an be !nfuse !nto
one of t&e4 an t&e" are !44ortal'
L!fe !s b" no 4eans a be of roses fore$er be%ause of !44ortal!t"'
T&e solut!on of one #roble4 br!ngs an !n%reas!ng nu4ber !n !ts 8a0e' If
t&!s as %&allenge an @est for t&e &ar" an &ealt&", !t broug&t es#a!r,
so 8e are tol, to ot&ers' Ao&n /"erl" 8&o %reate &!4self !n Ste#&en
/"erl" e$entuall" ! a8a" 8!t& &!4self: F&e e%!e to !e,H 8&en &e
felt &e 8as no longer of use' KAn aga!n, so !t s&oul be' T&e !n!$!ual
s&oul al8a"s &a$e t&!s o#t!on'L Or, Ao&n felt t&at &e &!4self %arr!e on
!n Ste#&en, a %reat!on of &!s 4u%& %loser to &!s o8n !ent!t" K!f not t&e
sa4e asL t&an an" usual %&!l'
As!4o$ !s !44ensel" fert!le !n !eas BB 4u%& of !t ue to t&e st!4u5
lus of %"bernet!%s, an 8e %oul 8ell 8!t& &!4 for <u!te so4e t!4e'
Ho8e$er, our a!4 !s to a##roa%& %erta!n sal!ent features an t&e!r $ar!a5
t!ons'
As 8e 4o$e e$en %loser to t&e #resent !t 8as foun t&at s%!en%e f!%5
t!on 8r!ters !n%reas!ngl" ta0e for grante resurre%t!on an !44ortal!t"'
T&e" generall" follo8 s%!ent!f!% !s%o$er!es but te4#er t&e!r !4ag!nat!on
54
b" stress!ng t&at at f!rst rean!4at!on !s an !n%re!bl" !ff!%ult #ro%ess' It
4a" be t&at 8e s&oul &ee t&!s te4#er!ng, as!e fro4 !ts fun%t!on of !n5
%reas!ng #laus!b!l!t" !n t&e reaer>s e"es' It !s !ff!%ult to bel!e$e t&at re5
an!4at!on %oul e$er be e2tre4el" s!4#le e$en !f s!4#l!f"!ng #ro%esses
&a$e o%%as!onall" been foun !n rat5resus%!tat!ons'
Per&a#s C' E' Ma!ne !s %orre%t !n &!s l!nea4ents of a resurre%t!on of
an astronaut 8&o !e an 8as #reser$e for ;,... "ears !n t&e $a%uu4
of outer s#a%e' T&oug& rean!4at!on te%&n!<ues &a been 0no8n for a
*,... "ears, t&at !s, s!n%e ;+,. A'(', rean!4at!on 8as st!ll no 4ean un5
erta0!ng' In ++,. A'(' t&ese latter5a" ant!54ort!% 4e!%s began t&e
tas0 of resurre%t!ng a lost an foun astronaut' /ut 8&at a ?obN T&ere
8ere ele$en "ears of trans#lant surger"' An for f!$e "ears 8!res 8ere !n
&!s bo" su##l"!ng neural st!4ul! ele%tr!%all" to &!s %ells an organs'
T&e 8&ole #ro%ess 8as l!0ene to be!ng reborn an %ont!nu!ng t&roug&
aoles%en%e to 4atur!t"' He 8as g!$en a ne8 &eart %o4#ose of a Fgraft
of n"lon an ot&er 4ater!als of &!g& tens!le strengt&H 8&!%& 8oul last
one t&ousan "ears' He &a ne8 s"nt&et!% %ells !n &!s lungs, a better f!ter
!n &!s !ntest!nesM as state &e 8as re%on!t!one for !44ortal!t"' So !f
t&e #ro%ess 8ere a long one, as t&e o%tors sa! BB 8&at 8ere a fe8
"ears of slee# an ele%tron!% t&era#" !n %o4#ar!son to etern!t"E
:
Ma!ne !s also e2%ellent !n #o!nt!ng out t&at t&e #oss!b!l!t" of !44or5
tal!t" !s no guarantee of !t' T&ere are #ur#oseful 8a"s of o!ng a8a"
8!t& oneself an ot&ers' T&oug& t&e resurre%te astronaut an t&e ra%e
8&!%& rean!4ate &!4 are !44ortal !n #oss!b!l!t" t&e" 4ust st!ll %ont!nu5
all" 8or0 to8ar %on!t!ons 8&!%& 8!ll best ensure t&e %ont!nuan%e of
t&at #oss!b!l!t"'
T&e ne2t $ar!at!on !s t&e !$!ne 4an54a%&!ne or t&e !$!ne 4a5
%&!ne54an, !llustrate !n /rabur">s FT&e Man C#sta!rs'H
,
In t&!s s&ort
stor" 8e f!n 4an0!n !n t&e for4 of a %&!l be%o4!ng !rr!tate b" an e%5
%entr!% boarer 1an3 4"ster!ousl" 4urer!ng &!4 b" t&e use of s!l$er
%o!ns an a 0n!fe' Ol" beaut!ful tr!angles, s<uares an %!r%les of
translu%ent fle2!ble #last!% are ta0en out of &!s breast b" t&e "oung !n%!5
s!on!st' W!t&out t&ese 8or0s, as C' P' Sno8 sa"s, all of us 8oul be
self5!4#o$er!s&e !4ag!nat!$el", for !t ta0es t&e not!ons of a /rabur" to
f!2 before us t&e #oss!b!l!t!es of unusual l!fe' We %an &arl" rea4,
t&!n0, !4ag!ne, or %on%e!$e of t&e range of #&eno4ena t&at 4!g&t a8a!t
us !n t&e future &ere or on t&e #lanets of ot&er solar s"ste4s' If t&e 4a5
%&!nes %annot sol$e t&e re4a!n!ng #roble4s of !44ortal!t" along 8!t&
4en BB t&oug& t&ere !s no reason 8&" t&e" %annot BB t&en t&e be!ngs
of !stant #lanets 4a" also #ro$!e a solut!on' Or #er&a#s so4e of t&e4
&a$e alrea"E
55
T&oug& t&e s%!ent!st &as t&e future !n &!s bones an !s #reo4!nantl"
t&e t"#e 8e are !ntereste !n, !n all fa!rness t&e #erson 8!t& a #re!le%t!on
for t&e #ast 4ust not be e2%lue' T&ere !s a #la%e for t&e ro4ant!% of
t&e ne8 s%&ool or an" #erson 8!t& a re$eren%e or a bel!ef !n t&e &!stor!%!5
t" of our sa%re boo0s' If t&ere !s an" trut& to t&e earl" C&ur%& #er!o
legens t&at resurre%t!on 8as a %o44on e$ent 8e 8!s& t&ese resear%&ers
su%%ess an gos#ee'
Return!ng fro4 t&e furt&est #oss!b!l!t!es to our start!ng #o!nt, on%e
aga!n, W!ener>s !eas %an be re%alle an &!s Ffantas"H of t8!nn!ng' T&!s
%on%e#t allo8s us to a to t&e #oss!b!l!t!es suggeste b" As!4o$'
W!ener %ons!ers t&e #oss!b!l!t" of an organ!s4 for0!ng an u#l!%at!ng
!tself or t8!nn!ng' After t8!nn!ng an be%o4!ng se#arate !n!$!uals, as
a ru!4entar" %ellular an!4al or a 4a%&!ne t&at !s able to u#l!%ate !tself,
or a #erson 8&o !s able to t8!n &!4self, t&e" beg!n to !44e!atel" !5
$erge an !ne$!tabl" be%o4e !ffer!ng !n!$!uals' /ut at an near t&e
#o!nt of t8!nn!ng, for t&e &u4an or t&e &!g&l" !ntell!gent robot, !f 8e are
able to stret%& our !4ag!nat!on, an !nterest!ng an fru!tful s!tuat!on o%5
%urs fa$orable to #ersonal!t" %&o!%e' T&e !n!$!ual or !n!$!uals at t&!s
#o!nt &a$e a %&an%e to %o4#are notes' It !s es#e%!all" !4#ortant for t&e
#erson t8!nn!ng !nto a robot, an a robot !n t&e fa$orable sense of t&e
8or su%& as one gets after rea!ng fro4 As!4o$ 8&at !44ensel" %a#a5
ble an l!0eable %reatures t&e" are' Here, 8e 4ean t&e robot &as greater
#&"s!%al %a#a%!t!es an a$antages, su%& as !44ortal!t"' If t&e #erson
&as a %&an%e to as0 &!s t8!n, or to feel &!4self !n &!s ne8 #os!t!on, or &as
a %&an%e to test &!4self 8!t& &!s ne8 %a#a%!t!es &e &as fe8er <ual4s
about tr"!ng a ne8 4oe of be!ng t&at !sn>t !rre$o%able' In fa%t, !f t&e
t8!nn!ng or trans4!tt!ng #ro%ess 8ere rea!l" a$a!lable !t 8oul broaen
t&e alrea" !nf!n!te #oss!b!l!t!es of l!fe'
It &as been suggeste t&at 8o4en 8oul 4u%& #refer t&e!r &usbans
be%a4e 4a%&!nes at 8or0, 8!t& all of t&e a$antages t&at 4ust a%%rue,
but to return to t&e &u4an for4 !n t&e e$en!ng' T&!s !s be%ause t&e"
%an>t <u!te !4ag!ne t&e !nf!n!te e2%!te4ent of e2%&ang!ng ga44a 8a$es
8!t& anot&er &!g&l" sens!t!$e robot' An t&!s leas to e$en furt&er %o45
#l!%at!ons 8!t& robot!% se%retar!es G but 8e are go!ng e$en be"on fan5
tas"'
Let us re%all 8&at &as been sa!' In re$!e8 (e4o%r!tus began !t 8!t&
an ato4!% s%&e4e for bu!l!ng t&eor!es' H!##o%rates su##l!e t&e
4et&o of obser$!ng e$er"t&!ng' (es%artes %ons!ere t&e refle2 to e25
#la!n all bo" rea%t!ons' Pa$lo$ e$elo#e t&e %on!t!one refle2 !nto a
t&eor" e2#la!n!ng all &ab!ts, tra!n!ng an eu%at!on' S&err!ngton a!e
t&e 4e%&an!%s of e2#lanat!on 8!t& t&e s"na#se an 4ore so#&!st!%ate
56
4oels of t&e bra!n 8&!%& 8ere e2tene b" =re" Walter' As&b" an
W!ener e$elo#e t&e %on%e#t of feeba%0 to e2#la!n #ur#ose an sur5
$!$al an #ostulate t&at t&e ne8er %o44un!%at!on 4a%&!nes an !n!5
$!ual &u4ans are #re%!sel" #arallel !n !4#ortant res#e%ts'
In l!terature t&e $ar!ous for4s of e2!sten%e 8ere !llustrate 8!t& t&e!r
#roble4s an #oss!b!l!t!es' Ca4us #resente us 8!t& t&e %o4b!nat!on
go an 4a%&!ne #rote%t!ng &u4ans' Ca#e0 #ro$!es t&e %ase of t&e 4a5
%&!ne or robot be%o4!ng &u4an' As!4o$ rea%&es a goal !n outl!n!ng t&e
&u4an be%o4!ng a better &u4an b" be%o4!ng a 4a%&!ne !n t&e sense of
a free robot' An &e oes e$er"t&!ng #oss!ble to free &u4ans fro4 t&e!r
nor4al #arano! rea%t!on to so4et&!ng ne8 or fore!gn to t&e4' C' E'
Ma!ne la"s o8n a %onser$at!$e #laus!ble blue#r!nt of t&e atta!n4ent of
#&"s!%al !44ortal!t" e$entuall" #lus a rat&er eta!le es%r!#t!on of t&e
4e%&an!%s of a resurre%t!on after a bo" &a been &el !n stas!s for eons'
/rabur" br!ngs a !$!ne robot to eart&, onl" to &a$e !t %ru%!f!e b" &u5
4ans' =o!ng ba%08ars !n t!4e, t&e #oss!b!l!t" 8as %ons!ere 8&et&er
8e %oul learn an"t&!ng fro4 t&e nu4erous resurre%t!ons 8&!%& re#ute5
l" o%%urre <u!te %o44onl" s&ortl" after an before t&e beg!nn!ng of t&e
C&r!st!an Era' Mo$!ng for8ar aga!n 8!t& t&e !4ag!nat!$e s%!ent!sts t&e
!nterest!ng #oss!b!l!t!es of t8!nn!ng as #ostulate b" W!ener 8ere %on5
s!ere an o##ortun!t" for tr"!ng a ne8 state 8!t&out #re%lu!ng t&e re5
turn to oler for4s of be!ng or ne8er ones t&ereafter'
We 4a" %on%lue t&!s %&a#ter on a note fro4 Pasterna0' He &as ob5
ser$e t&e &u4an an natural s%ene sear%&!ngl" an states t&at &!stor" !s
F%entur!es of s"ste4at!% e2#lorat!on of t&e r!le of eat& G 8!t& a $!e8
of o$er%o4!ng eat&'H
FMan oes not !e !n a !t%& l!0e a og BB but at &o4e !n &!sto5
r", 8&!le 8or0 to8ar t&e %on<uest of eat& !s !n full s8!ng: &e !es
!n t&!s 8or0'H
9
In s&ort, all &!stor" !s a!4e at %on<uer!ng an efeat!ng eat&'
57
C&a#ter :
IMMORTALITY AS
EIOLCTIONARY A(APTATION
T&e #oss!b!l!t" of t&e 4a%&!nes e$elo#!ng a &!g& IS !sn>t t&e onl" #oss!5
b!l!t" o#en !n t&e un!$erse for t&e e$elo#4ent of unusual !ntell!gen%e'
T8o ot&er #robab!l!t!es are !ntell!gent l!fe !n s#a%e or on ot&er #lanets
an %erta!n 4a44als of t&e o%ean' S!n%e 8e &a$e no e4#!r!%al e$!en%e
of t&e for4er, t&oug& t&e eu%t!$e e$!en%e 4a0es !t e2tre4el" l!0el",
1t&at to#!% 4ust re4a!n %on?e%tural, but3 8e o &a$e so4e e4#!r!%al e$!5
en%e #erta!n!ng to #or#o!ses or ol#&!ns' T&e bra!n of t&e ol#&!n !s
about 6. #er%ent larger t&an 4an>s an e<uall" %o4#le2 !n !ts %o4#onent
#arts' T&e" &a$e sol$e #roble4s ra#!l" 8&!%& 4on0e"s &a %ons!er5
able trouble 8!t&' T&e!r !4!tat!$e, so%!al, an s"4#at&et!% <ual!t!es &a$e
a4a@e obser$ers bot& re%entl" an !n an%!ent t!4es' Loren E!sele" !n
&!s sens!t!$e !4ag!nat!$e st"le re!nfor%es a #o!nt 8e &a$e been tr"!ng to
#ut a%ross about ot&er unusual !ntell!gen%e bes!es 4an>s'
FIt !s !ff!%ult for us to $!sual!@e anot&er 0!n of lonel", al4ost
!se4bo!e !ntell!gen%e float!ng !n t&e 8a$" green fa!r"lan of t&e
sea BB an !ntell!gen%e #oss!bl" near or %o4#arable to our o8n but
8!t&out &ans to bu!l, to trans4!t 0no8lege b" 8r!t!ng, or to alter
b" one &a!rbreat& t&e #lanet>s surfa%e' Yet at t&e sa4e t!4e t&ere
are !n!%at!ons t&at t&!s !s a 8ar4, fr!enl" an eager !ntell!gen%e
<u!te %a#able of %o4!ng to t&e ass!stan%e of !n?ure %o4#an!ons an
str!$!ng to res%ue t&e4 fro4 ro8n!ng G Per&a#s 4an &as so4e5
t&!ng to learn after all fro4 fello8 %reatures 8!t&out t&e ab!l!t" to
r!$e &ar#oons t&roug& l!$!ng fles&, or to #o!son 8!t& stront!u4 t&e
#lanetar" 8!ns'H
*
Leo S@!lar #!%0s u# on t&e ol#&!n>s !ntell!gen%e !n tell!ng of a 4"t&5
!%al I!ennese !nst!tute 8or0!ng an %o44un!%at!ng 8!t& t&e ol#&!ns'
FT&e ol#&!ns 8!n a Nobel Pr!@e an f!n !t <u!te eas" to set u# a
8or0able s"ste4 of !sar4a4ent as 8ell as to e$elo# a s#e%!al foo
8&!%& sol$es all t&e #roble4s of t&e unere$elo#e areas b" #ro5
$!!ng &!g& nutr!t!on 8&!le e#ress!ng fert!l!t" rates'H
-
S@!lar !s tell!ng us t&at 8e reall" %oul sol$e our o8n #roble4s al5
t&oug& !n%rease !ntell!gen%e 8oul &el#' /ot& E!sele" an S@!lar
8!en our #ers#e%t!$e on ot&er !ntell!gen%es an bot& 4en a$o! t&e
58
#arano! rea%t!on so eas" to su%%u4b to t&at ol#&!ns are go!ng to %on5
<uer us an eat us al!$e or so4e su%& loose nonsense'
Man" &a$e s#e%ulate t&at t&e ol#&!n 4!g&t !n&er!t t&e eart& !f 4en
8ere 8!#e out b" t&ose #lanetar" 8!ns saturate 8!t& stront!u4' If !t
!s 4eant t&at t&e ol#&!n 8oul e$elo# !nto nature5%ontroll!ng %reatures
as 4en, !t !s of %ourse, a #oss!ble, but g!gant!% lea#, for t&e ol#&!n &as
no bo!l" !nstru4ents to effe%t &!s !eas, an no &an or o##osable
t&u4b to bu!l ot&er !nstru4ents l!0e 8&eels an %o4#uters to sol$e re5
all" !ff!%ult #roble4s'
If 8e bel!e$e, as E!nste!n feels 4ost #eo#le o, t&at !n!$!ual e$el5
o#4ent !s one of t&e #r!4e $alues of our l!$es, t&en 8e sa" !t !s a #erson5
>s %on%ern to effe%t t&!s' As long as t&e #erson !s re4otel" neoten!% &e
%an !4#ro$e an e$elo#' T&ere !s no ne%ess!t" t&at a t!4e l!4!t be #ut
on t&e !n!$!ual t&oug& 4ortal!t" %on!t!ons us to t&!n0 so' If As&b" !n
&!s resear%& !s a%%urate on e<u!l!br!u4 !t 8oul see4 to !n!%ate t&at !45
4ortal!t" 8oul be t&e log!%al goal of an" return!ng5to5e<u!l!br!u4 or5
gan!s4, be !t beast, 4an or 4a%&!ne' So far !t !s note t&at l!fe !n general
a%&!e$es t&!s a!4 8!t&!n an" of t&e rea%&es of t!4e t&at %an be !4ag!ne'
For sl!g&tl" s&orter t!4e #er!os t&e s#e%!es !s $!rtuall" !44ortal' T&en
t&e !n!$!ual organ!s4s $ar" fro4 a fe8 &ours to 6... "ears for t&e
Cal!forn!a s%rub #!ne an t&e sees t&at 8ere &el !n Eg"#t!an to4bs'
Re4e4ber!ng t&at 8e are us!ng an ant&ro#o4or#&!s4 !t !s sa! t&e"
Ftr"H to %ont!nuousl" an enlessl" return to e<u!l!br!u4' T&!s !s a %&ar5
a%ter!st!% of e<u!l!br!u4 s"ste4s' If t&e" on>t a%&!e$e e<u!l!br!u4 t&e"
ro# b" t&e 8a"s!e' So4e a?ust or aa#t 8!t& greater fa%!l!t" re4a!n5
!ng !n an about e<u!l!br!u4 #os!t!ons for longer #er!os t&an ot&ers' To
&u4ans !t Fa##earsH t&at t&e organ!s4 Ftr!eH to sur$!$e' T&us 8e sa" !t
!s t&e nature of organ!s4s t&at sur$!$e to r!$e for !44ortal!t" !n one
4anner or anot&er' For 4an t&e #roble4 !s to &a$e t&e !n!$!ual ta0e
t&e #la%e of t&e s#e%!es an t&us se%ure ne$er5en!ng l!fe'
Our a!4 as !n!$!uals to8ar t&at en !s to %ont!nuousl" a?ust an
aa#t to %&ange as !t !ne$!tabl" 4o$es a%ross t&e fa%e of t&e #lanet #er5
4eat!ng an e4erg!ng fro4 our 4ult!for4 sub%ultures' One a! to !ntel5
l!gent aa#tat!on, to !ntell!gent %ontrol of ne%essar" a?ust4ent !s to re%5
olle%t, as best 8e 4a", t&at #art of t&e #ast 8&!%& &as a bear!ng on our
#roble4s'
(ee# !n our #ast 4an &as a?uste an ut!l!@e !n fa!rl" !ntell!gent
fas&!on $ar!ous tools for &unt!ng, t&e lan for agr!%ulture, t&e %!t" for
%!$!l!@at!on an no8 &e !s atte4#t!ng to l!4!t t&e ann!&!lator" as#e%ts of
t&e nat!on5state' T&e s!2teent& %entur" for%e 4an to a?ust to t&e fa%t
t&at t&e eart& !s not t&e %enter of t&e un!$erse' It 8as no eas" a?ust4ent'
59
T&e n!neteent& %entur" for%e 4an to a?ust to t&e fa%t t&at 4en &a
r!sen fro4 t&e lo8er s#e%!es' T&!s also 8as a #a!nful re%on%!l!at!onM an
?ust as 4an" a n!neteent&5%entur" 4an &an>t a%%e#te t&at t&e eart& 8as
not t&e %enter of t&e un!$erse, so t&ere are 4an" !n t&!s %entur" 8&o o
not a%%e#t t&e fa%t t&at 4an &as r!sen fro4 lo8er s#e%!es' /ut our %on5
%ern !n t&!s f!rst !nstan%e !s 8!t& t&e a?ust4ents t&at 8ere ne%essar" !n
t&e n!neteent& %entur" for 4an to %ontrol &!s en$!ron4ent an to a?ust
to ne8 !s%o$er!es'
T&e n!neteent& %entur" !s es%r!be as a %entur" of re$olut!on 8&en
4en e$er"8&ere foun 4ore an 4ore t&at t&e" %oul %ontrol t&e!r es5
t!n" an not ?ust a%%e#t fate' T&!s 8as a real!@at!on of no s4all 4agn!5
tue, so4et&!ng 4an" of us &a$e "et to ga!n %onf!en%e !n' It 8as a %en5
tur" of !nustr!al!@at!on for #art of t&e 8orl' If fe8er #eo#le unerstoo
!t, t&e" 4ae #er&a#s a less e4ot!onal a?ust4ent to !t !n general t&an to
e$olut!on' E$olut!on, at f!rst, for t&e 4a?or!t" 8as an !ntelle%tual an
e4ot!onal t&reat of s!4!lar 4agn!tue to t&e Co#ern!%an' It stru%0 &o4e
at $an!t" an t&e e2alte o#!n!on 4an &a of &!s s#e%!alness !n t&e un!5
$erse'
T&e %o4#le2 !nter8ea$!ngs of an" age, es#e%!all" as t&e age gro8s
%loser to our o8n 8oul re<u!re a %a#able %o4#uter to 8e!g& ?ustl" an
e2#ress t&e fa%tors of greatest !4#ortan%e' It 8oul a##ear &o8e$er t&at
t&e n!neteent& %entur" !s es#e%!all" e2#ress!$e of 4an ga!n!ng greater
%ontrol o$er &!s en$!ron4ent an 4o$!ng fro4 t&e 4ore #reator" to t&e
s"4b!ot!% relat!ons&!#s 8!t& &!s o8n an ot&er s#e%!es' L!0e8!se 4an
a##eare to be !n a s"4b!ot!% relat!on to &!s &el#ers, t&e 4a%&!nes' H!s
o8n b!olog!%al or organ!% e$olut!on 4o$e at !ts usual slo8 #a%e 8&ere5
as &!s so%!al, %ultural an te%&nolog!%al e$olut!ons 4o$e at a greater
#a%e, es#e%!all" t&e latter' T&e a?ust4ent to t&e b!olog!%al %&ange 8as
!rrele$ant ue to t&e !nf!n!tes!4al a4ount of b!olog!%al %&ange' T&e
te%&nolog!%al %&ange of !nustr!al!@at!on &as surge so s8!ftl" t&at t&e
ot&er t&ree e$olut!ons &a$e been a#at&et!%, !nert an so4et!4es !n%a5
#able relat!$el" of 0ee#!ng u#' T&e so%!al s%!en%es 8ere $!rtuall" none25
!stent' T&e t&oug&t of #&"s!%al s%!en%e 8as 4ore absolut!st!%, !n r!g!
4e%&an!%al 4oels' An t&oug& t&e b!olog!sts 4ae a ent !n t&ese %on5
%e#ts t&e t&eolog!ans %oul ?ustl" %r!t!%!@e s%!en%e for !ts abstra%t, &!g&l"
s!4#l!f!e %on%e#t!ons t&at often see4e to lea$e t&e 4ore &u4an ele5
4ents of 4an out of t&e #!%ture' T&e t&eolog!ans also learne so4e5
t&!ng' T&at t&e argu4ent for es!gn %oul be e2#la!ne better b" e$olu5
t!on'
T&e t8ent!et& %entur" &as been a%utel" self5%ons%!ous of !tself' T&ou5
sans of ter4s &a$e been foun to es%r!be !t' A4ong all t&e #&rases
60
su%& as Ft&e age of e2aggerat!on,H Ft&e age of s%!en%e,H Ft&e s#a%e age,H
Ft&e ato4!% era,H Ft&e age of a%%u4ulat!on,H t&e F%entur" of fear,H t&e
a##ellat!on Fage of anal"s!sH see4s ult!4atel" 4ost es%r!#t!$e an use5
ful' It !s t&e f!rst t!4e !n &!stor" t&at a %ons!erable bo" of !nfor4at!on
&as been a$a!lable for t&e anal"sts 8!t& le!sure to rea, t&!n0 about, %o45
#are, e2#er!4ent, %on%lue an a to t&at sa4e bo" of 0no8lege
gro8!ng at so4e geo4etr!% rate' It !s <u!te re$elator" to f!n t&e large
nu4ber of s%!ent!sts at 8or0 !n$est!gat!ng t&e effe%ts of free@!ng te4#er5
atures on un!%ellular an 4ult!%ellular organ!s4s for !nstan%e'
It !s a %entur" of a%%u4ulat!on an e2aggerat!on' T&ere !s &arl" an"
oubt of t&!s' T&e f!rst %rue unerstan!ng of %ultural, so%!al an te%&5
nolog!%al e$olut!on !s beg!nn!ng to a8n on us' T&e lag bet8een 4an>s
%ontrol o$er nature an &!s %ontrol o$er &!s so%!al !nst!tut!ons su%& as t&e
nat!on5state are %o4!ng !nto #a!nful a8areness' H!s ab!l!t" to %ontrol na5
ture an te%&nolog!%al !s%o$er!es &as 4ae !t su%& t&at !f &e &as not
<u!te a%&!e$e t&e #oss!b!l!t" of 8!#!ng &!4self out &e !s 4a0!ng ra#!
#rogress !n t&at !re%t!on' T&e !s%o$er!es of Freu !n!%ate t&at t&e 4a5
?or!t" of 4en 4a0e 4an" 4a?or e%!s!ons on an !rrat!onal bas!s' T&!s
%ou#le 8!t& &!s ab!l!t" to estro" 4a0es e#ress!ng rea!ng'
A %entur" of $ast %a#ab!l!t" !n estru%t!on !s sl!g&tl" offset b" nu4er5
ous s%!ent!f!% an so%!al feeba%0 4e%&an!s4s' S%!en%e on t&e one &an
#ro$!es eterrents to t&e use of estru%t!$e 8ea#ons 8&!%& are of ub!5
ous benef!t ot&er8!se' T&e so%!al feeba%0 !s e$!ent !n all of t&e %o45
4un!%at!on t&at o%%urs 8!t&!n an bet8een so%!et!es' T&e a!4 as far as
t&e s#e%!es !s %on%erne !s to return fro4 t&e br!n0 of estru%t!on, #art!al
or total, to t&e %enter l!nes of furt&er rat!onal e$elo#4ent an sur$!$al'
T&!s !s #er&a#s t&e 4a!n a!4 of t&e CN as 8ell as 4an" ot&er !nst!tut!ons
an 4an" !n!$!uals' T&!s sur$!$al &as been t&oug&t of as t&e 4a!n a!4
of an" s#e%!es'
A %entur" t&at &as e2#ane, al4ost e2#loe 8!t& a%&!e$e4ents an
%reat!$!t", &as !ne$!tabl" not!%e t&at 4an" of t&e lags &a$e !n%rease,
an t&at relat!ons be%o4e un!4ag!nabl" %o4#le2' We see so4e t"#e of
tren but as e2#e%te 8e see t&roug& t&e glass ar0l"' A##arentl" t&e
#reator" as#e%ts of 4an on ot&er s#e%!es e%l!nes furt&er' S"4b!ot!%
relat!ons garner t&e 4a!n areas 8!t& #aras!t!s4 beg!nn!ng to s&o8 !tself
!n t&e relat!on bet8een 4an an t&e auto4at!% fa%tor"' T&e #ostulate !s
&ere t&at e$olut!on !s at 8or0 !n t&e gro8t& of 4a%&!nes as !t !s !n e$er"
ot&er #art of t&e un!$erse' T&e reason for t&!s assu4#t!on !s aga!n e25
#resse $!a W!ener>s t&es!s:
FIt !s 4" t&es!s t&at t&e #&"s!%al fun%t!on!ng of t&e l!$!ng !n!$!5
61
ual an t&e o#erat!on of so4e of t&e ne8er %o44un!%at!on 4a%&!nes
are #re%!sel" #arallel !n t&e!r analogous atte4#ts to %ontrol entro#"
t&roug& feeba%0'H
No one reall" bel!e$e (es%artes> analog" bet8een t&e 4an an t&e 4a5
%&!ne' O&, #er&a#s t&e !nf!n!tes!4al fe8 but no 4ore' /ut 8!t& t&e %o45
!ng of W!ener an es#e%!all" As&b" t&e 8orl enters t&e se%on !nustr!5
al re$olut!on an 8!t& !t 4an0!n re%e!$es anot&er stunn!ng blo8 to &!s
ego' It 8asn>t enoug& t&at E!nste!n re4o$e all absolutes fro4 t&e 8orl
es#e%!all" t&at last &o#e: t!4e' It 8asn>t enoug& t&at Freu s&o%0e
4an0!n !nto a%%e#t!ng t&at 4an>s l!b!!nal es!res eter4!ne 4ost be5
&a$!or' /ut t&e %ro8n!ng str!0e !s t&e fa%t t&at !f so4e of t&e ne8er %o45
4un!%at!on 4a%&!nes are not alrea" t&e" !n%reas!ngl" 8!ll be s4arter,
0eener, $astl" 4ore !ntell!gent t&an 4en' Men 8!ll f!g&t aga!nst !t ?ust as
t&e" &a$e !n t&e #ast an sa" !t 4ust be so4e ot&er fa%tor t&an !ntell!5
gen%e t&at allo8s t&e 4a%&!nes to es!gn an blue#r!nt an ent!re fa%tor"
!n a 4atter of a fe8 &ours 8&ereas a tea4 of ar%&!te%ts an rafts4en
8oul ta0e 4ont&s !f not "ears to o t&e e<u!$alent ?obM !t %an be re4e45
bere &o8 t&e At&en!ans %oul not for t&e longest t!4e a%%e#t t&e fa%t
t&at a sla$e 4!g&t be ?ust as !ntell!gent as t&e4sel$es' T&ere 8as no
s4all battle o$er rel!n<u!s&!ng t&e eart& as t&e %enter of t&e un!$erse'
An !t %an be re4e4bere t&at Ao&n S%o#es lost &!s tr!al !n *+-: to
W!ll!a4 Aenn!ngs /r"an !n t&e state of Tennessee' Analogousl" 8e %an
#re!%t t&ere 8!ll be la8 %ases !n t&e future %on%ern!ng t&e #oss!ble
e<uat!on of 4an an %o44un!%at!on 4a%&!ne' If t&e a?ust4ents %annot
be 4ae !ntelle%tuall" an e4ot!onall" outs!e t&e %ourts t&e" 8!ll 4o$e
to t&e last a##eal'
S%!en%e !n t&e -.t& %entur" t&!n0s less !n 4e%&an!%all" r!g! ter4s' It
!s &arl" #oss!ble 8&en !t !s full" real!@e t&at a table !s &arl" 4ore t&an
a $!brat!ng bunle of energ"' It !s &arl" reasonable to 4a0e s%&e4es
r!g! 8&en onl" stat!st!%al es%r!#t!ons 8!ll 8or0 for #art!%les too s4all
to be seen or follo8e' At t!4es t&e" a##roa%& t&e nature of e$anes%ent
%lous' T&us s%!en%e be%o4es 4ore fle2!ble an 8ars off 4ost of t&e
state4ents of s!4#le r!g! 4ater!al!s4 t&at 4!g&t eas!l" be%o4e og4a'
T&e so%!al s%!en%es ga!n groun 8!t& greater !nterest !n so%!al e$olut!on
an t&e real!@at!on t&at all s%!en%es &a$e to rel" on stat!st!%al es%r!#t!ons
!n #art' A b!t 4ore toleran%e an fle2!b!l!t" !s generate b" #&"s!olog"
an #s"%&olog": !s%!#l!nes 8&!%& f!n t&at t&e $er" nature of our %on5
%e#t!ons !s %ontrolle b" our bo!l" stru%ture an fun%t!ons' /e"on t&!s
t&e" &a$e e$!se te%&n!<ues su%& as en%e#&alogra#&", %on!t!one re5
fle2es an #s"%&oanal"s!s to 4a# t&e #s"%&!% a##aratus'
62
As&b" 4a" f!n a s!gn!f!%ant #art !n t&!s %entur">s !ntelle%tual &!stor"'
M!nor to (ar8!n !n s!gn!f!%an%e to be sure, for (ar8!n e2#la!ne #ur5
#ose or a##arent es!gn f!rstM but As&b" &as g!$en us a 4ore 4e%&an!%al,
e2#er!4ental, 4at&e4at!%al es%r!#t!on of &o8 !t 8or0s' T&!s !s t&e !s5
%o$er" an #roof t&at e<u!l!br!u4 be&a$!or tens to re#eat !tself' T&e
ne8 s!gn!f!%an%e l!es !n 4a%&!ne be&a$!or' T&e 4a%&!nes, ?ust l!0e an!5
4als, as far as 8e 0no8 no8, 8!ll 4o$e to8ar sur$!$al $!a t&e re#et!5
t!on of e<u!l!br!u4 #os!t!ons or &o4eostas!s' It !s bes!e t&e #o!nt t&at
4an &as %reate t&e4 !n t&e f!rst #la%e' T&e reason t&at 4an uses t&e4 !s
t&e sa4e funa4ental unergroun #r!n%!#le of goal see0!ng, sur$!$al
an return!ng to 4ore #erfe%t e<u!l!br!u4s 8&!%& are greatl" fa%!l!tate
b" t&e use of t&ese ne8er %o44un!%at!on 4a%&!nes' As&b" !s also t&e
#erson 8&ose !eas #o!nt u# t&e #oss!b!l!t" of t&e ne8 s#e%!es an t&e
%onse<uent t&reat to 4en>s egos b" s&o8!ng &o8 !t !s t&eoret!%all" #oss!5
ble to bu!l a 4a%&!ne 8&ose IS &as no 0no8n u##er l!4!t' As 8e f!n
!n s#a%e t&at t&e s0" !sn>t t&e l!4!t, so to s#ea0, t&e s0">s t&e l!4!t for t&e
4a%&!nes also'
T&!s 4ental #o8er !s enabl!ng us to #ress t&e 4a%&!nes !nto t&e ser5
$!%e of sol$!ng or &el#!ng to sol$e our #roble4s' T&e 4a!n !4#etus at
f!rst !s #rou%t!$e an 4!l!tar"' Lesserl" t&e" &a$e begun to a! !n t&e
solut!on of t&e 4ore !4#ortant so%!al #roble4s' Later st!ll t&e" 8!ll be
use !n all t"#es of resear%& rele$ant to !44ortal!t"' In #art !t !s of
%ourse go!ng on no8 8!t& %ell resear%&, te4#erature resear%& as !n t&er5
4o#&"s!olog", an rean!4at!on, but on a rat&er 4!%ros%o#!% s%ale'
T&ere !s a b!t 4ore of !t !n 4e!%al resear%& an !n 4oels of %ells 4eant
to e$entuall" u#l!%ate l!fe'
Inas4u%& as t&e resear%& 8!ll 4o$e for8ar %ons%!ousl" or un%on5
s%!ousl" to8ar !44ortal!t", t&e s#ee of !t e#en!ng on our efforts,
e$entuall", 8!ll for%e us to re%ons!er our $alue s"ste4s' (o 8e reall"
$alue t&e %ont!nuan%e of t&e state an t&e ra%e as su#er!or to t&e !n!$!5
ualE If 8e reall" $alue t&e %ont!nu!ng !n!$!ual 8e 4ust be 8!ll!ng to
engage !n 4ore resear%& rele$ant to &!4' If t&e state an t&e ra%e or l!fe
!n general are #referre t&e #resent rat!on of resear%& !s a##ro#r!ate, e25
%e#t for t&e troubleso4e fa%t t&at 4u%& of t&e #resent resear%& %oul eas5
!l" lea to %o4#lete e2ter4!nat!on'
An a?ust4ent !n our att!tues to8ar !44ortal!t" an 4ost #resent
rel!g!ons !s !n orer !f 8e %ast our $ote for t&e !n!$!ual' For al4ost
t8o 4!llenn!a t&e #ro$!n%e of !44ortal!t" &as been #ree4#te b" t&e
%&ur%&es !n t&e West' T&e" &a$e &el out a &o#e of 8&!%& t&ere &as
been no s&re of 4ater!al e$!en%e'
63
FT&e 4ost str!0!ng feature of t&e 8orl 8e l!$e !n !s t&at 4ost of
!ts !n&ab!tants BB 8!t& t&e e2%e#t!on of t&e #!et!sts of $ar!ous 0!ns
BB are %ut off fro4 t&e future' L!fe &as no $al!!t" unless !t %an
#ro?e%t !tself to8ar t&e future, %an r!#en an #rogress' L!$!ng
aga!nst t&e 8all !s a og>s l!fe'H
7
An t&e 8all for Ca4us 8as t&e absur 8all of eat&' As 4an" 4en of
t&e sta4# of Ca4us &a$e b" no8 been F8as&e free of &o#e,H 8as&e
free of unreal!st!% &o#e, !t !s t!4e s%!en%e &el out not t&e F%erta!nt"H of
#!et!st!% &o#e but t&e &"#ot&es!s, t&e 4ere #robab!l!t" of #&"s!%al !44or5
tal!t"' T&ese #robab!l!t!es 4a" be est!4ate, be t&e" &!g& or lo8, as 8ell
as t&e t!4e an %on!t!ons ne%essar", to a$o! an" unreal!st!% &o#e' T&e
sooner 8e obta!n t&ese #robab!l!t!es as resear%& %ont!nues t&e sooner !n5
tell!gent #lans an organ!@at!on %an a%&!e$e t&e goal' As t&e "ears #ass
4en 4ust !n%reas!ngl" a?ust to t&e #oss!b!l!t!es of t&e future !n %o4#ar!5
son to a?ust!ng to t&e fa%ts after a !s%o$er" &as been a%%o4#l!s&e'
For our sur$!$al t&ere are t&e ne%essar" a?ust4ents to t&e #oss!b!l!t!es
of t&e future'
T&us 8e &a to a?ust !n *+6. to t&e #oss!b!l!t" of t&e ato4 bo4b an
a%t a%%or!ngl"' We &a no !ea t&e e2#los!on or !ts #o8er 8ere sure
t&!ngs' We t&oug&t !t 4!g&t 8or0' T&e eu%t!ons an t&e f!gures 8ere
on #a#er' It 8as a #oss!b!l!t" 8!t& a %erta!n #robab!l!t" of su%%ess'
(ur!ng t&e 8ar 8e &a to a?ust to t&e #oss!b!l!t" of e#ress!on after
t&e %essat!on of &ost!l!t!es an a%t a%%or!ngl"' E$er" ar4" an a!r for%e
an na$" &a to a%t !n a%%or 8!t& t&e #oss!b!l!t" t&at raar 8oul be5
%o4e a real!t"' =!$en t&e #robab!l!t" t&at !t %oul be e$elo#e t&e" %ar5
r!e !t to %o4#let!on' T&e sa4e !s true of t&e free@!ng, storage an re5
generat!on of f!rst, s4all #lants an an!4als, 8or0!ng to8ar 4an along
8!t& t&e &el# of t&e %o44un!%at!ons 4a%&!nes' We 4ust, !n su4, be
a8a0e to t&e #oss!b!l!t!es of t&e future' Or, 8e 4ust be a8a0ene to t&e
#oss!b!l!t!es t&at are a #robab!l!t" !n t&e future' T&en !t !s !n%u4bent
u#on us to set u# t&e resear%& ne%essar" !n a %ons%!ous, #lanne 4anner
to test t&e &"#ot&es!s'
We %oul go on al4ost !nter4!nabl" es%r!b!ng t&e 4an!fol fa%ets of
t&!s %entur" an !ts #roble4s' /ut a #o!nt of !4!n!s&!ng returns soon
sets !n an !t !s #robabl" 4ore #ra%t!%al to 4o$e o8n t&e abstra%t!on
laer to t&e %on%rete !n!$!ual on%e 4ore an tra%e an o#erat!$e %ourse
of a%t!on'
If "ou #lan to !e before t&e age of regenerat!on t&ere are a nu4ber of
a?ust4ents an a%t!$!t!es t&at 8!ll #ro4ote "our future longe$!t"' It
8oul be 8ell to #re#are for t&e long 8a!t an t&e regenerat!on b" 0no85
64
!ng "ourself as 8ell as #oss!ble, b" re%or!ng e$er"t&!ng rele$ant to "our
#attern t&at !s #oss!ble, an b" !n!%at!ng "our es!res' If t&!s !s ne8 to
"ou !t !s !n #art "our ?ob to get t&e best eu%at!on of t&e fa%ts of t&e
#resent before "ou, an t&e #robab!l!t!es of t&e future !n 4!n' T&!s
4eans also, t&at after "ou &a$e stu!e t&e #roble4 for "ourself, an !s5
%usse !t 8!t& ot&ers, an !f "ou &a$e e%!e to F8a!t !n t&e %a$eH as t&e
4ost agreeable an l!0el" %ont!ngen%", t&en 4a0e or re8r!te "our 8!ll'
If "ou &a$e a la8"er 8&o &as been ta0!ng %are of "our legal 4atters, t&e
!ea 4a" !n!t!all" be a sl!g&t s&o%0 to &!4, but, be!ng rat&er so#&!st!%ate
4en t&e" usuall" sa" l!ttle, unless !t !s !n t&e!r !nterest ot&er8!se, an 8!ll
8r!te u# "our !nstru%t!ons !n legal for4, as !nstru%te'
If "ou o not &a$e a la8"er, a 8!ll 8r!tten !n "our o8n &an !s usuall"
a%%e#table' It !s best to 8r!te an s!gn !n t&e #resen%e of se$eral 8!tness5
es' T&ere are an" nu4ber of a%%e#table for4s' T&e !ea !s to e2#ress
"our es!re on #a#er an s!gn an &a$e !t 8!tnesse !n a %on$!n%!ng fas&5
!on' You 4a" ta0e a blan0 s&eet of #a#er, ate !t, an #ro%ee as fol5
lo8s, or "ou 4a" f!ll !n t&e for4 as !t !s' 1See ne2t #age'3
W!t& t&e #ass!ng of t!4e !t !s a##arent t&at t&e #eo#le of t&e n!ne5
teent& %entur" &a to a?ust to e$olut!on, t&e f!rst !nustr!al re$olut!on,
#ol!t!%al re$olut!ons an ot&er so%!al #ressures' In t&e -.t& %entur" t&e
a?ust4ents are be!ng 4ae to ato4!% #o8er, relat!$!t", t&e !s%o$er!es
of Freu, t&e gro8t& of t&e %o44un!%at!on 4a%&!nes, t&e se%on !nus5
tr!al re$olut!on, furt&er #ol!t!%al re$olut!ons, s#a%e e2#lorat!on an t&e
t&reat of %olossal estru%t!on be%ause nat!on5states &a$e be%o4e be&a$5
!oral s!n0s !n res#e%t to t&e!r 8!ll!ngness to 4a0e 8ar'
S#e%ulat!on, !4ag!nat!on, an our nees allo8 an !4#el us to %ons!5
er t&e -*st %entur"' T&e e4an for bot& sur$!$al an #oss!bl" r!%&er
l!$es for%es 4an0!n to t&!n0 an #lan a&ea' More an 4ore &!s
#ro?e%ts enta!l $ast future #ro?e%ts' T&e #rogress, beaut" an l!$ab!l!t" of
4ost an" large %!t" !n *+9* !n%or#orates rat&er &ea$" !n$est4ent an
#lann!ng no8 an %ont!nuousl"' T&us 4ore an 4ore 8e rel" on F!45
ages of #oss!ble futuresH to a%&!e$e our goals'
T&e -*st %entur" 4a" br!ng %o44un!%at!on 4a%&!nes 8!t& $er" &!g&
ISs, 4a%&!nes t&at beg!n to for4 an !ne#enent 0!ngo4 an !ne#en5
ent be&a$!or' Progress 4a" be e2tre4el" ra#! as a s!ngle 4a%&!ne
%oul re#resent t&e #os!t!on ta0en !n t&e an!4al 0!ngo4 b" an ent!re
s#e%!es' T&e tren 4a" be a8a" fro4 s"4b!ot!% an #aras!t!% relat!ons to
!ne#enen%e as far as so4e of t&e 4ore %a#able 4a%&!nes are %on5
%erne' Man 8!ll re4a!n !n t&e s"4b!ot!% an #aras!t!% relat!on 8!t& &!s
4ore or less nor4al #rou%t!$e 4a%&!nes' T&ere !s no nee to 4a0e a
#arano!>s lo8 le$el a?ust4ent to t&e su#er!or!t" of t&e 4a%&!nes' T&ere
65
!s, &o8e$er, #lent" of nee to stu" t&e #robable be&a$!or of t&e &!g&l"
!ntell!gent 4a%&!nes as t&e" e$ol$e' Men 4a" 8!s& to ?o!n 8!t& t&e ne8
s#e%!es !n so4e fas&!on or anot&er, or t&e" 4a" 8!s& to re4a!n se#arate'
S!4!larl", 8e see so4e grou#s, su%& as s%!ent!sts, 8&o are t&e f!rst to ?o!n
8!t& t&e !s%o$er!es of t&e t!4e' So4e 4a" feel t&at !n F?o!n!ng 8!t&H
t&e 4a%&!ne, 4an>s %a#a%!t" to e$elo# 8!ll be 4a2!4!@e' Ot&ers 4a"
not' T&e S&a0ers #refer to se#arate fro4 t&e rest of urban!@e 4an0!n
an 4a!nta!n t&e!r ol see4!ngl" 4ore se%ure 4oe of e2!sten%e' /ot&
%&o!%es s&oul be o#en to -*st %entur" 4an an 4a%&!ne'
Men 8!ll also &a$e to a?ust to t&e fa%t t&at t&e" 4a" not be t&e last
s#e%!es !n t&e e$olut!onar" l!ne as far as !ntell!gen%e !s %on%erne' T&!s
!t 8as 4ent!one 8as a stunn!ng blo8 e<u!$alent to f!n!ng out t&at t&e
eart& 8as not t&e %enter of t&e un!$erse an far 4ore !4#ortant t&an real5
!@!ng t&at 4an or!g!nate fro4 t&e lo8er an!4als'
It 4a" be !sastrous to #a!nt an !4age of t&e future !n br!g&t %olors,
&o8e$er let us guess t&at auto4at!on 8!ll ta0e %are of all of 4en>s suste5
nan%e, &ous!ng, %lot&!ng an ot&er 4ater!al nees' As t&e #lague !s for
all #ur#oses efeate so t&e la%0 of a guarantee "earl" !n%o4e 8!ll #ass
!nto &!stor"' T&!s !s an !eal t&at 4en %an onl" &o#e 8!ll %o4e to
fru!t!on'
S%!en%e !n t&e -*st %entur" 8!ll %&ange to8ar t&e not!ons of 4e%&an5
!%al flo8 an t&e <ual!tat!$e !nf!n!t" of nature, 1an3 t&us 1be3 e$en fur5
t&er re4o$e fro4 r!g! *+t& %entur" %on%e#t!ons' /" t&en !t see4s rea5
sonable t&at t&e !ntegrat!on of t&e so%!al s%!en%es !nto #&"s!%s an %&e45
!str" 8!ll &a$e been a%&!e$e' T&e &"#ot&es!s &as been asserte t&at re5
generat!on b" $ar!ous 4et&os an #&"s!%al !44ortal!t" 8!ll &a$e be5
%o4e s%!ent!f!%all" feas!ble' T&ose !ntereste !n e$olut!on 8!ll be !nter5
este 4ore !n &o8 4a%&!nes an !eas are e$ol$!ng an &o8 l!fe on ot&5
er #lanets !s #rogress!ng' Iar!e te%&n!<ues of 4ore ra#! e$olut!on of
!n!$!uals an t&e s#e%!es 8!ll be a$a!lable'
Pol!t!%all" !t !s &arl" !4ag!nable t&at a 8orl state %ontroll!ng t&e
#o8er to 4a0e 8ar 8!ll not &a$e %o4e to #ass or t&at 8ar 8!ll 1not3 &a$e
e%!4ate 4an0!n, or so4e of bot&' T&e -*st %entur" !s less t&an fort"
"ears a8a" so #er&a#s t&e un!f!%at!on !s too o#t!4!st!%' It !s &o#e t&at
t&e e2!gen%!es of #o#ulat!on #ressure, l!4!te foo su##l" an l!4!te
s#a%e 8!ll not be su%& t&at t&e !n!$!ual 8!ll &a$e been su##resse !n
fa$or of t&e state' In e!t&er %ase !t %an be !4ag!ne t&ere 8!ll be benef!ts
to be obta!ne !n regenerat!ng t&e fro@en an !n trans4!tt!ng t&e st!ll l!$5
!ng !nto 4ore $!able for4s'
Legal a?ust4ents 8!ll be !n orer to treat 8!t& e<u!t" t&e 4an 8&o
!es but 8!s&es &!s estate &el !n trust unt!l &e !s regenerate' As !t no8
66
stans t&e state !str!butes t&e estate of t&e e%ease a%%or!ng to &!s or
t&e state>s 8!s&es' Innu4erable %onfl!%ts 8!ll no oubt ar!se bet8een t&e
r!g&t of t&e !n!$!ual to gu!e an %ontrol &!s est!n" an t&e state
8&!%& es!res to aug4ent !ts re$enues b" ta2!ng eat&, trans#ortat!on,
e2!t an entr", an resurre%t!on' It oesn>t &el# t&at t&e la8 !s al8a"s an5
t!<uate !n res#e%t to #rogress'
T&e %o4!ng of #ra%t!%al !44ortal!t" 8!t&out t&e eat& !nter$al 8!ll
el!4!nate so4e of t&e %onfl!%ts an t&en turn !nto engener!ng furt&er
#roble4s' To e$en %onte4#late all of t&e %&anges !n be&a$!or t&at !45
4ortal!t" 4!g&t br!ng 8oul ta0e $olu4es of 8r!t!ng' W!ll #eo#le 4ore
l!0el" follo8 t&e la8 be%ause t&e" 8!ll 0no8 t&at !t 8!ll e$entuall" %at%&
u# 8!t& t&e4E W!ll t&ere be less #an!% to get t&!ngs oneE W!ll t&ere be
4ore effort at &el#!ng 4en an 4a%&!nes !n t&!s 8orl rat&er t&an str!$5
!ng for a re8ar !n so4e #oss!ble ne2t 8orlE W!ll #eo#le tr" for atta!n5
4ents su%& as &!g&er 4at&e4at!%s or a%%o4#l!s&4ent as a 4us!%!an t&at
t&e" 8oul ne$er atte4#t uner a l!4!te l!fes#anE W!ll t&ere be a neu5
rot!% %on%ern for a%%!entsE BB For t&at !s t&e onl" 8a" one 4!g&t be
$ulnerable to #er4anent eat& b" !s%er#!ng %ont!ngen%!es' BB W!ll
t&ere be s#ee!er a4bulan%e ser$!%eE W!ll t&ere be a boost !n l!fe5s!@e
free@!ng lo%0ersE W!ll t&ere be less 8a!l!ng at fe8er funeralsE W!ll $!o5
lent %r!4es be%o4e 4ore estru%t!$e to t&e $!%t!4E W!ll so4e #eo#le
be%o4e e$en 4ore !nolentE Woul 4arr!age fore$er be too longE
Rel!g!ous !nst!tut!ons &a$e al8a"s been slo8 but e$entuall" ae#t at
aa#tat!on' T&e *+t&5%entur" &o#e !n s#!r!tual !44ortal!t" an a #lea5
surable &ea$en out of t&!s 8orl, #er&a#s ga$e 8a" to a -.t&5%entur"
&o#e of a #leasurable but l!4!te l!fe on eart& an t&en obl!$!on' T&!s !n
turn 4a" g!$e 8a" to t&e &o#e an t&en t&e real!@at!on of #&"s!%al !45
4ortal!t" &ere on eart& an on ot&er #lanets' If t&!s !s true rel!g!on 8!ll
&a$e a $ast ne8 bo" of #oss!b!l!t!es before !t'
T&e f!rst %la!4, !f !44ortal!t" !s establ!s&e, 8!ll be t&at t&!s !s 8&at
8as #re!%te b" t&e /!ble 8&en t&e earl" bel!e$ers t&oug&t t&at &ea$en
on eart& 8oul %o4e to #ass along 8!t& t&e !44ortal!t" t&at 8as ta0en
fro4 Aa4 an E$e be%ause t&e" s!nne' E$en before #&"s!%al !44or5
tal!t" &as been establ!s&e rel!g!ons 8!ll offer t&e!r ser$!%es for t&e %are
of trust funs, et%', of t&e te4#orar!l" e%ease' T&e" unoubtabl" 8!ll
ta0e t&e t8!nn!ng %on%e#t of W!ener, 8&!%& en!es t&e soul, an turn !t
r!g&t about %la!4!ng t&at 8&en t&e bo" !es a t8!n5soul goes to &ea$en
8&!le t&e real bo" sta"s &ere an !s e$entuall" resurre%te &ere on eart&'
T&e #erson resurre%te #&"s!%all" 8!ll ne$er 0no8 t&e !fferen%e, but t&e
%la!4 8!ll be t&at &!s t8!n !s !n &ea$en so one 4ust follo8 t&e tea%&!ngs
of t&e %&ur%& so t&e t8!n 8!ll f!n sal$at!on, et%' T&e %are an 4a!nte5
67
nan%e of safet" for t&!s t8!n5soul !n &ea$en 8!ll log!%all" enta!l t&e
%&ur%&>s ao#t!on an nurture of &alf of t&e for4er estate, et%' T&ere are
enless a$enues st!ll o#en, for as long as 4en e2!st t&eolog!ans e2!st for5
e$er outstr!##!ng s%!ent!sts !n grant!ng 4en>s fonest es!res for t&e 4o5
est #r!%e of a see4!ng an be%o4!ng &u4!l!t" an sub4!ss!on' Rel!g!on
nee ne$er fear s%!en%e, for s%!en%e 8!ll al8a"s ta0e se%on #la%e,
#ro4!s!ng onl" 8&at !t %an #rou%e !n fa%t, an e$en t&en 8!t& t!4e, r!s0,
#robab!l!t", un%erta!nt", e2#ense, t&e #ro4!se of 4ore #roble4s, an t&e
!4#oss!b!l!t" of #erfe%t!on'
To return to t&e #resent let us as0 8&at %an be one to 4a2!4!@e t&e
%&an%es of rean!4at!on' T&e 8!ll !s to be 4ae e2#ress!ng t&e es!re to
be fro@en !n t&e 4ost su!table 4anner' T&en t&e 8a" !s o#en to t8o al5
ternat!$es' You 4a" !e before rean!4at!on or regenerat!on or "ou 4a"
not' Man" of t&e suggest!ons t&at follo8 8!ll a##l" to e!t&er %ase'
You %an en%ourage t&e free e2%&ange of !nfor4at!on 8&!%& 8!ll allo8
"ou greater %&o!%e an freeo4 an 8!ll #ro4ote s%!ent!f!% resear%& on a
#roble4 t&at !s $!tal to "our #reser$at!on' You 4!g&t, !f "ou &a$e not al5
rea", 4ore a%t!$el" ?o!n t&e !ntelle%tuals Kef!ne as t&ose 8&o &a$e a
e!%ate !nterest !n !easL an use "our &ea to get t&e ?ob of l!$!ng
longer on 8!t&' BB To &el# 8!t& t&e 4ult!tue of #roble4s t&at fa%e 4en
!n 4a0!ng t&e ne%essar" trans!t!ons' At t&e best "ou %an &a$e a fa!t&
8&!%& 4at%&es t&e #robab!l!t" t&at t&e tas0 %an be a%%o4#l!s&e' E$en
!f "ou !e before effe%t!$e 4et&os 8ere !n o#erat!on "ou %oul a! !n
e2ten!ng t&e bounar!es of l!fe' Abo$e all, ne$er sa" F%an>tH !f t&e &o#e
!s at all reasonable, for s%!en%e &as taug&t us t&at t&!s 8or #lus t&e 8or
F!4#oss!bleH are t&e t8o 4ost angerous 8ors to #ro#&e%" !4ag!nable'
Resear%& t&!s #roble4 "ourself or as #art of a grou#' F!n out 8&at
t&e e2a%t %on!t!ons of toa" are' If #oss!ble o t&e rea!ng, t&!n0!ng,
an resear%&!ng !n t&e f!rst !nstan%e relat!$el" alone' F!n t&e #roble4s
an &o#es of t&e resear%&ers' T&en after o!ng "our o8n t&!n0!ng, br!ng
8&at "ou &a$e e$elo#e to ot&ers !ntereste an see 8&at t&e" t&!n0
an 8&at t&e" %an a to "our eu%at!on' An s!4ultaneousl" 8!t& t&e
g!$e an ta0e of 8&at ot&ers t&!n0 obser$e t&e #rogress of s%!en%e !n t&!s
f!el as t!4e #asses' A! !n sett!ng u# furt&er real!st!% targets for s%!en5
t!f!% a%&!e$e4ent' /e %r!t!%al of 8&at "ou rea &ere an 4a0e a reasone
%onstru%t!$e re#l"' A4en 8&at !s sa! &ere 8&en ne%essar"'
In stu"!ng t&e s!tuat!on toa" "ou 4a" 8!s& to rea t&ose 8or0s of
t&!s %entur" an t&e 8or0s of #re$!ous %entur!es, 8&!%& are 4ost a##l!%a5
ble to t&e #reser$at!on of l!fe #er se, an 8&!%& are t&e 4ost s!gn!f!%ant
8or0s to8ar a l!beral eu%at!on' T&e b!bl!ogra#&" an t&e -.t& Centu5
r" /oo0s #rogra4 outl!ne !n t&e a##en!2 offers one rat&er %o4#re&en5
68
s!$e, !ne2#ens!$e, an rele$ant rea!ng an !s%uss!on enea$or'
In t&!s #rogra4 or on "our o8n, or $!a 4ost an" eu%at!on #ro%ess, !t
8oul be !nfor4at!$e to ga!n a better !ea of s%!en%e, rel!g!on, #s"%&olo5
g", b!olog", an all t&at enta!ls l!fe on t&e #lanet eart& an else8&ere'
Ot&er8!se, a general eu%at!on !s 8&at !s a$o%ate' T&!s !s, #er&a#s,
t&e best 4et&o of #re#ar!ng "ourself b" 0no8!ng "ourself an "our en5
$!ron4ent' As "ou #ro%ee, "ou %an nag as generat!ons before "ou &a$e
one, at t&e #roble4s of et&!%s, t&e %reat!on of a 8orl %o44un!t" %on5
trol o$er estru%t!on e$!%es an !rrat!onal!t" 8&!%& t&reaten to e2t!n5
gu!s& &u4an l!fe !f not all ot&er on t&e #lanet' Lastl", "ou %an en%our5
age t&e $!s!on outl!ne !n t&!s boo0 !f "ou t&!n0 !t an a%%urate an 8ort&"
one'
In t&!s, "ou 4ust free "our !4ag!nat!on' /ut, not to t&e e2tent t&at !t
transgresses all %r!t!%al t&!n0!ng an t&e reasonable #oss!b!l!t!es of real!5
t"' You 4ust 4a0e #lans, #rogra4s, #ro?e%ts, e2#er!4ents an targets'
You 4ust, !f "ou are l!0e so4e of us t!4! %reatures, o$er%o4e t&e loss
of ner$e, free "ourself an ot&ers fro4 t&e bonage of t&e #ast, e%lare
!ntelle%tual 8ar on t&e status <uo an 4o$e for8ar gu!!ng 4an>s fate
b" t&e use of !ntell!gen%e' (on>t be afra! to res#on, to res#e%t, an to
follo8 "our es!res as long as t&e" br!ng no unne%essar" &ar4 to ot&ers'
If "ou o, "ou 8!ll be a4ong t&e str!$ers of 4an0!n as o##ose to t&e
r!fters' T&e str!$ers are t&e restless an %ur!ous O"sseuses of t!4e an
s#a%e 8&o 8!ll o#t!4!st!%all" set u# #&"s!%al !44ortal!t" as a target an
ne$er retreat unt!l t&e absur 8all &as fallen' Your l!fe 8!ll be 4ore
4ean!ngful an 8ort&8&!le !f "ou are 8!t& t&e4 stor4!ng t&e an%!ent
an stubborn ra4#arts 8&!%& are su%& an !n?ust!%e an barr!er to t&e %on5
t!nuous e$elo#4ent of t&e !n!$!ual'
68
(ate TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
TO THE EQECCTOR OF MY WILL
AN( TO THOSE WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
It !s 4" e2#ress 8!s&, an es!re, t&at I 8ant 4" bo" u#on eat& to be fro@en as
soon as #oss!ble !n t&e 4anner t&at !s generall" %ons!ere best for t&e #reser$at!on of
t&e bo", 8!t& t&e a!4 to8ar regenerat!on or rean!4at!on !n t&e future, an 4a!n5
ta!ne !n t&at state unt!l rean!4at!on !s a safe #ro%eure' W&en resus%!tat!on orJU re5
an!4at!on be%o4e reasonabl" safe #ro%esses I 8!s& 4" bo" to be regenerate b" t&e
best #oss!ble 4et&os at t&at t!4e'
S!gne TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
W!tnesseTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
W!tnesseTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
(ate TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
TO THE EQECCTOR OF MY WILL
AN( TO THOSE WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
It !s 4" e2#ress 8!s&, an es!re, t&at I 8ant 4" bo" u#on eat& to be fro@en as
soon as #oss!ble !n t&e 4anner t&at !s generall" %ons!ere best for t&e #reser$at!on of
t&e bo", 8!t& t&e a!4 to8ar regenerat!on or rean!4at!on !n t&e future, an 4a!n5
ta!ne !n t&at state unt!l rean!4at!on !s a safe #ro%eure' W&en resus%!tat!on orJU re5
an!4at!on be%o4e reasonabl" safe #ro%esses I 8!s& 4" bo" to be regenerate b" t&e
best #oss!ble 4et&os at t&at t!4e'
S!gne TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
W!tnesseTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
W!tnesseTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
69
C&a#ter ,
A PHILOSOPHY FOR IMMORTALITY
Fro4 t!4e to t!4e !n t&e f!rst se$eral %&a#ters t&e rat!onale for
#&"s!%al !44ortal!t" 8as broa%&e an t&e #ro%ess to rea%& !t 8as sug5
geste' No8 !t !s t!4e for us to t!e u# t&e loose t&reas, treat of t&e
#&!loso#&!%al, log!%al, 1an3 et&!%al as#e%ts, l!sten to #oss!ble ob?e%t!ons
an enterta!n an att!tue to8ar !44ortal!t"'
T&e groun $alue assu4e !s t&e #r!4a%" of t&e !n!$!ual an &!s
un&!nere free %&o!%e' It !s true t&at l!fe !s bas!% to free %&o!%e' /ut
g!$en t&e !n!$!ual l!fe t&e #roble4 fro4 t&ere !s to %ont!nue or not to
%ont!nue' We #ut t&e #r!4a%" on t&e !n!$!ual be%ause !t !s a $alue t&at
so%!et" e%r!es as t&e 4ost bas!%' We #ut an e<ual $alue on free %&o!%e
not onl" be%ause t&!s !s !ntegrall" l!n0e 8!t& t&e %on%e#t of t&e !n!$!5
ual but !t ensures t&at not e$en l!fe %an e2er%!se a t"rann" o$er t&e !n!5
$!ual' If &e 8!s&es to snuff l!fe out t&at s&oul be &!s %&o!%e' L!0e8!se
!f &e %&ooses to re4a!n !44ortal &e s&oul be g!$en a reasonable o##or5
tun!t" 8!t&!n t&e #oss!b!l!t!es of nature to effe%t t&at %&o!%e' It 8oul
see4 reasonable %ons!er!ng t&e "earn!ng of 4en t&roug& &!stor" t&at
g!$en t!4e an eu%at!on, 4ost 4en 8!ll o#t for #&"s!%al !44ortal!t"'
An, t&e" 8!ll r!g&tl" e2#e%t t&at s%!en%e %ont!nue !ts #rogress !n efeat5
!ng eat&' It !s #oss!ble t&at 8e 4a" go e$en a ste# furt&er an agree
8!t& Fra@er !n t&e follo8!ng:
FIt !s #robabl" not too 4u%& to sa" t&at t&e &o#e of #rogress BB
4oral an !ntelle%tual as 8ell as 4ater!al BB !n t&e future !s boun
u# 8!t& t&e fortunes of s%!en%e, an t&at e$er" obsta%le #la%e !n t&e
8a" of s%!ent!f!% !s%o$er" !s a 8rong to &u4an!t"'H
*
T&!s a##l!es e<uall" to t&e 8!s&es to be res#e%te of t&e #erson 8&o o#ts
for 8a!t!ng !n a #res%r!be 4anner for !44ortal!t"' S#e%!f!%all", !f &e or
s&e 8!lls anJor e2#resses t&e es!re to be fro@en, to be #la%e !n a #er5
4afrost en$!ron4ent to 8a!t unt!l t&e #ro%eures &a$e been #erfe%te for
resurre%t!on t&en an" #erson or grou# t&at !4#ees t&!s %&o!%e !s an ene5
4" of #reser$at!on, l!fe, an !n!$!ual!s4' T&e #erson or grou# 8&o
#ro&!b!ts t&e free@!ng an t&e storage !s not !ent!%al 8!t& but s!4!lar to a
4urerer' For t&e net result of t&e en!al of furt&er l!fe !s t&e sa4e !n
bot& %ases t&oug& t&e 4et&o !ffers'
70
FTo for%e sol!tue Keternal eat&L on a 4an 8&o &as ?ust %o4e to
unerstan t&at &e !s not alone, !s t&at not t&e ef!n!t!$e %r!4e
aga!nst 4anEH
-
Ca4us 4!g&t be elate t&at one of &!s absur 8alls 8as %ru4bl!ng
an 8oul rebel fur!ousl" at an"one 8&o tr!e to s&ore5u# t&at !n?ust!%e
of t&e un!$erse'
F/ut 8&oe$er sa! t&e" 8ere go!ng to sto# an"one 8&o 8!s&e to be
bur!e !n an !%e %a$e on =reenlan or an" ot&er #la%eEH Ant!<uate la8s
an go$ern4ents 8&!%& see a %&an%e of 4a0!ng 4one" !n ta2es, or 8&o
fear t&e" 8!ll lose %!t!@ens, or 8&o are so @ealous !n enfor%!ng t&e stan5
ars of a 4!le5%lass 4oral!t" of t&e &er as N!et@s%&e 8oul sa" BB
all t&ese 8!ll #ro$!e !4#e!4ents enoug&' Fear t&at !t 4!g&t 8or0 8!ll
auto4at!%all" e$o0e a learne res#onse' So4e rel!g!ous bo!es !n our
s"ste4 8!ll #ro&!b!t t&e!r follo8ers fro4 a$a!l!ng t&e4sel$es of t&e o#5
#ortun!t" to str!0e for #&"s!%al !44ortal!t" !n t&e s%!ent!f!% fas&!on' One
4!g&t #re!%t 8!t& so4e %onf!en%e t&at t&ose rel!g!ous bo!es 8&!%&
#ro&!b!t b!rt& %ontrol on t&e #rete2t t&at !t estro"s l!fe 8!ll get r!g&t
aroun on t&e o##os!te s!e of t&e!r log!% an #ro&!b!t t&e r!g&t of t&e!r
4e4bers to t&e %ont!nuan%e of l!fe $!a resurre%t!on s%!ent!f!%all" for =o
0no8s 8&at reasons BB e2%e#t t&at !t 4!g&t l!4!t t&e #o8er of t&e
C&ur%&, 8&en !t 8oul be onl" log!%al t&at a C&r!st!an %oul test &!s be5
l!ef !n s#!r!tual !44ortal!t" an at t&e sa4e t!4e f!2 &!s bo" so t&at !f
t&at boon ! not %o4e to #ass, &e 8oul st!ll be !n a #os!t!on to re%e!$e
#&"s!%al !44ortal!t" at t&e &ans of so4e future s%!ent!st' /ut t&en 8e
4a" be na!$e to be so ant!<uate as to bel!e$e t&at so#&!st!%ate rel!g!on5
!sts of toa" bel!e$e !n an afterl!fe e2%e#t !n so4e s"4bol!% senseE
W!ener follo8e &!s %&a#ter 8&!%& #ro$!es t&e %on%e#t!on of trans5
4!tt!ng a &u4an 8!t& one 8&!%& eals 8!t& la8'
FLa8 4a" be ef!ne as t&e et&!%al %ontrol a##l!e to %o44un!5
%at!on'H
7
Its #ur#ose !s ?ust!%e' It !s !ntereste !n effe%t!ng t&!s $!a a?ust4ents !n
be&a$!or an rules' Aust!%e en%o4#asses l!bert", e<ual!t", an fratern!t"'
L!bert" 4eans t&e r!g&t of ea%& !n!$!ual to e$elo# freel" t&e full #os5
s!b!l!t!es of &!s #otent!al' /" e<ual!t", W!ener 4eans t&at Fb" 8&!%&
8&at !s ?ust for A an / re4a!ns ?ust 8&en t&e #os!t!ons of A an / are
!nter%&ange'H An b" fratern!t", &e an 4ost of t&e 8orl 4ean, F=oo
8!ll bet8een 4an an 4an t&at 0no8s no l!4!ts s&ort of t&ose of &u4an5
71
!t" !tself'H It s&oul be <u!te %lear t&at a l!4!tat!on on a future l!fe <u!te
ef!n!tel" %ontra!%ts t&e #r!n%!#le of l!bert" !f !t !s not ob$!ous &o8 !t !n5
fr!nges on t&e latter t8o'
To g!$e a 4ore balan%e a%%ount let us no8 turn to so4e of t&e $erbal
ob?e%t!ons e2#resse b" !n!$!uals !n !s%uss!on, an to general ob?e%5
t!ons to 8&!%& an" ne8 t&eor" !s e2#ose' We are tol t&ere are t&ree
stages t&roug& 8&!%& an" ne8 t&eor" 4ust #ass' F!rst !t !s !44oral' Can
!t be oubte t&at #!ous $o!%es 8!ll be ra!se %la!4!ng t&at !f =o &a !n5
tene #&"s!%al !44ortal!t" &ere on eart& &e 8oul &a$e #ro$!e !tE
/ut !t %an be re4e4bere 8&en t&e sa4e argu4ent: !f =o &a !ntene
4an to tra$el faster t&an t&ree 4!les #er &our &e 8oul &a$e #ro$!e
4en 8!t& 8&eels !nstea of legs, &as #asse !nto obl!$!on' T&e se%on
stage !s FWell, 4a"be #art of !t !s r!g&t'H We see t&at 8e are for%e to
a4!t so4e a$an%es !n t&e !re%t!on of t&!s t&eor" 8&en t&!s $er" a"
s%!ent!sts fro4 Lonon re#ort t&at u# to 6. o$a of e8es %an be trans5
ferre &alf 8a" roun t&e 8orl !n t&e bo" of a s!ngle rabb!t before
transferr!ng t&e4 to t&e 8o4bs of t&e ne8 #arents' It see4s #ro$en t&at
trans4!ss!on of l!fe nee not al8a"s go t&roug& t&e e2a%t #at&8a"s t&at
8e &a$e been use to as %&!lren' T&e t&!r stage !s: FWell, 8e 0ne8 !t
8as so all along'H /ut before t&at stage %o4es t&ere !s !ne$!tabl" an
$er" r!g&tl" so, 4an" an ob?e%t!on before t&e ne8 t&eor" %an #ro$e !tself'
In !s%uss!on a 4a!n ob?e%t!on !s t&at one 8oul be bu!l!ng #eo#le>s
&o#es to so4et&!ng t&at 4a" ne$er #ass' We grant t&at !t 4a" ne$er #ass
an 8!s& to get t&at #o!nt a%ross to an"one !ntereste for t&ere !s 4an" a
sl!# bet8!2t t&e %u# an t&e l!#' Not&!ng !s %erta!n' It !s $aguel" %on5
%e!$able t&at t&e 8orl an l!fe are not&!ng but a rea4' /ut t&!s !sn>t a
l!$e &"#ot&es!s to bel!e$e t&at all t&e 8orl !s but a rea4' W&ereas 8e
&a$e been argu!ng 8!t&out e$er %la!4!ng t&at !t 8as ne%essar!l" true t&at
#&"s!%al !44ortal!t" !s a l!$e &"#ot&es!s an a genu!ne o#t!on !n %o45
#ar!son to t&e la%0 of #roof obta!nable %on%ern!ng s#!r!tual !44ortal!t"'
It 4a" be true t&at e$en 8!t& all t&e <ual!f!%at!ons 8e 8oul st!ll be
bu!l!ng u# #eo#le>s &o#esM t&ere !s a r!s0 !n an" ste# for8ar, !n rea%&5
!ng for t&at f!rst 0!ss' Is !t an" 8orseM !s !t not better, to &ol out a s%!en5
t!f!% &o#e BB one t&at &as a ef!n!te #oss!b!l!t" atta%&e to !t, rat&er t&an
t&e 4eta#&"s!%al &o#e t&at &as been &el out to 4an0!n for un%ounte
generat!ons 8!t&out one s&re of #roof t&at an"one &as e$er a%&!e$e t&e
&o#e for !44ortal!t"E It 4a" be true t&at 8e are bu!l!ng &o#es, but
%ons!er!ng t&e a$an%es s%!en%e &as 4ae !n t&e #ast, an rul!ng out t&e
ann!&!lat!on of t&e &u4an ra%e, !t 4a" be but a 4atter of t!4e before re5
sus%!tat!on te%&n!<ues are 8or0e out' Man0!n, !n fa%t, 4o$es for8ar,
#rogresses on t&e 8!ngs of a s%!ent!f!% &o#e t&at 8!t&!n %erta!n state
72
l!4!ts #roble4s %an be sol$e' An loo0 &o8 4an" &a$eE To e#r!$e
4en of reasonable &o#e !s to e#r!$e t&e4 of sett!ng real!st!% goals an !f
not el!4!nat!ng t&e!r a%&!e$e4ent at least ser!ousl" 4a!4!ng !t'
Let us al8a"s base our &o#e on reasonable #robab!l!t!es' If a tren !s
seen !n %erta!n #&eno4ena !t see4s log!%al to #ro?e%t t&at tren an to
ra8 t&e %on%lus!ons' T&e tren 4a" alter 8!t& later !s%o$er!es an
8!t& t&!s 8e 4ust alter our %on%lus!ons' Most %o44onl" 4an &as been
<u!te %onser$at!$e !n &!s 4ater!al %on%lus!ons an &as &a to alter t&e4
u#8ars' An e2a4#le of t&!s !s t&e rate of #o#ulat!on gro8t&' Se$eral
"ears ago, #er&a#s a e%ae, t&e Cn!te Nat!ons e2#erts 8ere %ons!er5
!ng an est!4ate of 6 b!ll!on #ersons or sl!g&tl" less, b" t&e "ear -...'
No8, as t&e" not!%e t&at fa4!l" s!@e oes not ne%essar!l" e%rease 8!t&
r!s!ng !n%o4e t&e a?ust4ent to , b!ll!on #ersons b" t&e "ear -... !s no8
#re!%te' It 8as &arl" rea4e t&at ro%0et resear%& an e2#lorat!on
8oul &a$e rea%&e t&e 4agn!tues !t &as !n *+,. fro4 t&e $antage #o!nt
of *+6:' T&e sa4e !s beg!nn!ng to a8n on us %on%ern!ng t&e #&eno4e5
nal #art %o4#uters or ele%tron!% bra!ns are beg!nn!ng to #la" !n t&e o#er5
at!on of a $!able so%!et"' It !s st!ll !n%re!ble t&at ro%0ets reall" &urtle
t&roug& s#a%e at *: to -. 4!les e$er" s!ngle se%on' A 4!le alone !s an
a8full" long 8a" to &urtle !n a s!ngle se%on' On t&e ot&er s!e of t&e
%o!n, &o8 4an" !s%o$er!es ! 8e e2#e%t to &a$e a%%o4#l!s&e b"
no8E Onl" one %o4es to 4!n' Per&a#s so4e #ersons e2#e%te a %ure
for %an%er to &a$e been a%&!e$e b" no8' An #er&a#s 4u%& of t&!s !s
ue to t&e #ubl!%!t" an #rogress re#orts %!r%ulate for fun ra!s!ng' Cer5
ta!nl" no $ast #art of t&e nat!on>s resour%es are be!ng use to f!n a solu5
t!on, or l!0el" !t !s t&at one 8oul &a$e been foun b" no8' So !n su4
t&ere are a large nu4ber of a%&!e$e4ents t&at %a4e before 8e e2#e%te
t&e4 an $er" fe8 t&at 8e &a$e e2#e%te to #ass before t&!s t!4e an !
not' Aga!n, !n general, 4an0!n tens to unerest!4ate t&e ra#!!t" 8!t&
8&!%& s%!ent!sts sol$e unusual #roble4s'
T&!s !n turn, t&en, !s t&e reason 8e &a$e fa!t& !n t&e s%!ent!st>s ab!l!t"
to rean!4ate, !n one for4 or anot&er, b" one 4et&o or 4an", a &u4an
bo" t&at &as been 8ell #reser$e, g!$en let us sa" less t&an a %entur"'
Fro4 8&at 8e 0no8 an obser$e t&!s %oul be a %onser$at!$e guess'
T&e best 8a" to #reser$e t&e bo" toa" !s al8a"s !4#ro$e u#on b" t&e
future' Perfe%t!on !s ne$er rea%&e, onl" 4ore nearl" a##ro2!4ate b" a
ser!es of !4#ro$e4ents' T&e egree to 8&!%& 4en are so !4#erfe%tl"
#reser$e 4eans t&at t&e s%!ent!st 4ust a!t!onall" !4#ro$e &!s 4et&os
of re$!tal!@at!on' T&!s 4eans t&at t&e so#&!st!%at!on a%&!e$e !n better
free@!ng an t&e egree of so#&!st!%at!on a%&!e$e !n re$!tal!@at!on 8!ll
rea%& so4e %erta!n, as "et un0no8n, le$el b" t&e "ear -...' /ut t&e e5
73
gree of so#&!st!%at!on for re$!tal!@!ng a less #erfe%tl" fro@en an store
&u4an 8oul &a$e to r!se, unt!l -.*. Kto %&oose an arb!trar" ateL 8&en
!t 8oul be feas!ble to re$!$e t&e 4an of a b"gone age' It %an be one' It
!s a 4atter of t!4e, #re#arat!on, an resear%&'
T&en &o8 about t&ose Eg"#t!an 4u44!esE Are t&ere no l!4!ts to t&!s
sort of t&!ngE Per&a#s t&e best ans8er t&at %an be g!$en at t&e 4o4ent !s
t&at !n our %ont!nuu4 t&e rean!4at!on of a 4u44" !s a $er", $er", $er"
re4ote #oss!b!l!t"' If &e or s&e 8ere fro@en !n t&e a##ro#r!ate 4anner
t&e re$!$!f!%at!on 8oul be !nf!n!tel" eas!er' Our reason aga!n !s t&at un5
oubtabl" t&e #attern !s less #erfe%t' Cnoubtabl" a greater #ro#ort!on
of t&e organ!s4 &as eter!orate !n es!%%at!on' It !s re#orte t&at e$en
t&e !nner organs 8ere re4o$e' T&ere !s no l!ne t&at %oul be ra8n to
sa" t&at t&!s !s #oss!ble an t&!s !sn>t' So4e roug& a##ro2!4at!on 4a" be
#oss!ble, but e$en t&!s !s oubtful' Woul one not &a$e a e$!l of a t!4e
reestabl!s&!ng t&e or!g!nal #ersonal!t"E Su%& an !44ensel" al4ost !45
#oss!ble tas0 souns 4ore a##ro#r!ate for 1a3 target ate of ;+++ A'('
W&at %an>t 8a!t, &o8e$er, !s t&e atte4#t to #reser$e t&e future l!$es of
t&e "!ng an t&ose 8&o 8!ll !e te4#orar!l" fro4 t&!s ate on' On%e 8e
&a$e a re4otel" reasonable #robab!l!t" t&at an !n!$!ual &u4an be!ng>s
l!fe 4a" be sa$e for a r!%&er enur!ng future !t !s our sa%re obl!gat!on
to ensure e$er" #oss!ble %on!t!on attenant to t&at en' An" 4alfea5
san%e !n our ut" to #reser$!ng t&e &o#e of l!fe, or l!fe !tself !s $aguel"
s!4!lar to 4urer'
If t&!s 4et&o, or so4e 4et&o 1of3 resurre%t!on %o4es to #ass, t&!n0
&o8 s!%0 8e 8!ll be t&at 8e ! not t&!n0, a$o%ate an a%t !n t!4e to
sa$e E!nste!n, 1or3 =an&!E If 8e no8 let #ass our o##ortun!t" to sa$e
Russell, S%&8e!t@er, an Ne&ru 8&en !t !s !n our #o8er to #resent t&e4
8!t& t&e #oss!b!l!t" BB an 8e fa!l BB t&en our gr!ef 8!ll 0no8 no en'
T&!s 4eans 8e s&oul, !n %ru%!al !nstan%es be es#e%!all" attent!$e, <u!%05
l", to t&ose 8&o4 %!$!l!@at!on !s es#e%!all" !nebte to' Ob$!ousl" e$er"
#erson !s !n$aluable, but t&ose 8&o &a$e %ontr!bute 4ost an 8&o are
&el earest !n our &earts s&oul onl" naturall" re%e!$e our es#e%!al %on5
%ern' It 4a" be e$en self!s& !n!$!uall" an so%!etall"' T&!n0 &o8 use5
ful t&e %ont!nue %ontr!but!ons of a $on Neu4ann or an E!nste!n 8oul
beE You sa": FIs not t&e %art before t&e &orseEH BB Aga!n, !s !t not t&e
4ost #robable &o#e 8e &a$eE Is an"t&!ng lost !n tr"!ng a l!$e &"#ot&e5
s!sE You &a$e not&!ng to lose an a #&"s!%al etern!t" to ga!n'
/e%ause of !ts !4#ortan%e a %ons!erable a4ount of s#a%e &as been
e$ote to t&e ob?e%t!on of t&e gloo45#ourers to ra!s!ng &o#es' T&ere
are ot&er ob?e%t!ons' T&e se%on one as0s !f t&ere 4a" not be ot&er
4et&os of resurre%t!on !n t&e future t&at o not e#en on &a$!ng t&e
74
bo" #resent' T&e t&eor" #ro%ees t&at 8!t& !ntelle%t 4a%&!nes 8!t& an
IS of *,... or *,...,... !t s&oul be l!ttle #roble4 for t&e4 !n %on?un%5
t!on 8!t& 4an to bu!l a gat&er!ng 4a%&!ne to %olle%t all t&e !nfor4at!on
ne%essar" to re%onstru%t an" #re$!ous &u4an be!ng' Presu4abl" t&e
8a$es re%or!ng all &u4ans an all of t&e!r be&a$!or 8oul st!ll be !n e25
!sten%e so4e8&ere no 4atter &o8 fa!nt an t&us !n t&eor" retr!e$able'
T&e ob?e%t!on to t&e ob?e%t!$e !s t&at t&e #roble4s are so 4u%& larger
t&an t&e one of s!4#le resus%!tat!on, 8!t& t&e #attern before one, so 4u%&
larger t&an e$er re%reat!ng t&e Eg"#t!an 8&o 8as later 4u44!f!e, t&at !t
!s &arl" %o4#arable' Let>s 8or0 on t&ese t&eor!es an tas0s after 8e
&a$e ta0en t&e %o44on sense #re%aut!on of not t&ro8!ng out t&e bab"
8!t& t&e bat&8ater'
A t&!r ob?e%t!on re$ol$es aroun t&e fear of o$er5#o#ulat!on' It !s
#oss!ble t&at t&e return of a %ool 4!ll!on 4!g&t #ut a stra!n on an" e%ono5
4"' /ut !n t&e long run, !s !t not generall" bel!e$e t&at ea%& #erson !s
<u!te %a#able of #rou%!ng 4ore t&an &e %onsu4esE T&ere 4a" be 4an"
#roble4s as 8!t& an" s%!ent!f!% !s%o$er"' /ut 8!t& an" !s%o$er" t&ere
are benef!ts also' Let us not rule !t out be%ause t&ere 4!g&t be so4e 4!5
nor !sa$antages' Rat&er let t&e solut!ons %o4e to fru!t!on an see !f 8e
%an 4eet t&e %&allenge'
Su##ose for a 4o4ent t&at e$er" #erson 8&o !es !n t&e ne2t f!ft"
"ears !s bur!e a##ro#r!atel" an resus%!tate 8!t&!n t&e se%on ten "ears
of t&e -*st %entur"' T&!s 8oul 4ean at t&e 4ost - b!ll!on l!$es 8ere
ae to t&e , b!ll!on #ro?e%te at t&e nor4al eat& rate' W!t& t&e
#rogress !n te%&nolog", a 8!ll!ngness to !str!bute real !n%o4es 4ore e<5
u!tabl" 8&!%& 4ust an 8!ll %o4e a%%or!ng to C' P' Sno8
6
BB a4ong
4an" BB an t&e o#en!ng of s#a%e %olon!@at!on, t&e %&allenge 4!g&t be
4et' /ut t&e !n!t!al su##os!t!on !s a gross e2aggerat!on' Let us loo0 for a
4o4ent at a 4ore real!st!% one'
T&e !nert!a of 4an0!n !s so4et&!ng of 8&!%& to stan !n genu!ne
a8e' More real!st!%all" a s4all &anful of t&at est!4ate - b!ll!on 8!ll
f!rst learn of t&e o##ortun!t", se%on, 8!ll %are enoug& for t&e!r o8n fu5
ture to #re#are t&e4sel$es, t&!r, 8!ll &a$e t&e resour%es to #ro$!e for
t&e!r %ool!ng an #reser$at!on, or 8!ll be allo8e to rest !n sus#ens!on b"
t&e la8s of t&e!r o8n go$ern4ents' T&e ar%&a!% %on!t!on!ng of t&e!r e5
u%at!ons, an t&e 8!s&es of t&e!r res#e%t!$e !nst!tut!ons to 8&!%& t&e"
&a$e #lege alleg!an%e 8!ll #ro$!e furt&er sto#s' Ot&er8!se, la%0 of
!nfor4at!on, a#at&", !nert!a, t&e la8 an restr!%t!$e bel!efs 8!ll no oubt
el!4!nate t&e $ast, $ast 4a?or!t" of 4an0!n es#!te t&e #rogress t&at !s
4ae !n t&e natural s%!en%es, for a##arentl" t&e lag bet8een t&ese #&"s!5
%al s%!en%es an t&e att!tues an be&a$!or of t&e #eo#le !n%reases 8!t&
75
t!4e' Let us &o#e ne8 !s%o$er!es an better eu%at!on %&ange t&!s #ro5
?e%t!on but as !t no8 stans a guess 8oul be t&at &u4an!t" !sn>t go!ng to
be allo8e to turn to t&!s 4et&o o$ern!g&t' You %an rest !n #ea%e &o85
e$er, t&e %&allenge 8!ll be 4et or %erta!n 4en an 4a%&!nes 8on>t rest
unt!l e$entuall" eat& &as been t&ro8n to t&e 4at an #!nne'
(on Su!2ote>s #roble4 8as t&at &e rea so 4u%& !n boo0s t&at
Ft&e Mo!sture of &!s /ra!n 8as e2&auste to t&at (egree, t&at at last
&e lost t&e Cse of &!s Reason' A 8orl of !sorerl" Not!ons, #!%0e
out of &!s /oo0s, %ro8e !nto &!s I4ag!nat!onM an no8 &!s Hea
8as full of not&!ng but En%&ant4ents G an abunan%e of Stuff an
I4#oss!b!l!t!esM !nso4u%&, t&at all t&e Fables an fantast!%al Tales
8&!%& &e rea, see4e to &!4 no8 as true as t&e 4ost aut&ent!% H!s5
tor!es'H
So4et&!ng of t&at !s t&e #roble4 8e &a$e' T&e boo0s of our a" !n%ul5
%ate !n us t&e bel!ef t&at 8e %an &a$e a reasonable %&an%e of !44ortal!t"
!f 8e #re#are no8 for a %erta!n set of %ool!ng an #reser$!ng o#erat!ons'
(on Su!2ote 8as 8!ll!ng to go out !nto t&e 8orl of un%erta!nt" an
8restle 8!t& e$!l' We 4ust be 8!ll!ng to o so4et&!ng of t&e sa4e' We
l!$e !n a 8orl of un%erta!nt"' We 4ust a%%e#t t&!s an e$en be t&an0ful
for t&e sur#r!ses an ?o"s t&at !t br!ngs' Man 4ust not stan
u40o#f5l!0e l!0e Aob before t&e un!$erse an a%%e#t 8&at>s t&oug&t to
be fate, or 4ore l!0el" &!s o8n bra!n8as&!ng' Rat&er, 4an 4ust a%%e#t
at fa%e $alue so4e t&!ngs: t&at eat& !s an e$!l !n &!s %ase at least, an !t
!s onl" ?ust!%e t&at !44ortal!t", or t&e %&an%e of !t, reestabl!s&es a rea5
sonable balan%e bet8een 4en>s %a#ab!l!t!es an t&e unl!4!te e#t&, e25
tens!on an $ar!ab!l!t" of &!s ne8 un!$erse' He 8!ll nee all t&e t!4e &e
%an get to re4otel" 0ee# !n tou%& 8!t& 8&at t&e !ntelle%t54a%&!nes are
a%%o4#l!s&!ng' Per&a#s a!t!onal t!4e 8!ll &el# e4an%!#ate or #rote%t
&!4 fro4 t&e angers of &!s o8n !rrat!onal!t!esE
Our age feels t&e #oss!ble e2t!r#at!on of t&e s#e%!es !s t&e ult!4ate !n5
?ust!%e' Ours !sn>t so 4u%& Freress!ng all 4anner of =r!e$an%esH as #re5
ser$!ng a %!$!l!@at!on !ntereste !n su%& 1a3 %on%e#t' As #ut so su%%!n%tl"
b" (a$! Fr!s%& of M'I'T' F8e are eal!ng !n $er" lo8 #robab!l!t!es of
long ter4 sur$!$al'H
:
T&e #roble4 !s one of eat& for bot& t&e !n!$!ual
an #oss!bl" t&e s#e%!es or so4e 4a?or #ort!on of !t' If true, t&e &orror
an utter esolat!on %an onl" #art!all" be $!sual!@e'
T&us 8e %an !4ag!ne furt&er !nterla%!ng %ont!nuu4s !n 8&!%& at t&e
l!4!t all l!$!ng &u4ans 8!ll be estro"e' If su%& 8ere t&e %ase our onl"
&o#e 4!g&t be t&at s%!en%e5f!%t!on 8oul allo8 us to !4ag!ne ot&er #lan5
etar" be!ngs e$entuall" re$!$!ng &u4ans 8&o &a been #ro#erl" #re5
76
ser$e at lo8 te4#eratures' T&!s !s outrageous of %ourse, but 8!ll "ou al5
lo8 !t !nas4u%& as 8e are eal!ng !n %on?e%tureE T&en 8!t& furt&er
#roble4s t&e ra%e 8oul go on' /ut !f su%& s#e%ulat!on 8ere true t&!n0
of &o8 !4#ortant !t 8oul be to en%ourage so4e !n!$!ual!sts to #re5
ser$e t&e!r bo!es u#on eat&E
No8 let us ta0e a ste# u# one of t&e %ont!nuu4s' Let us assu4e a s!t5
uat!on !n 8&!%& ot&er #lanetar" be!ngs are re#la%e b" so4e #ort!on of a
re4a!n!ng but e%!4ate 4an0!n' Let us !n$ert t&e oler 4ean!ng an
assu4e *.R of 4an0!n re4a!ns' No8, alt&oug& for &u4ane #ur#oses
8e %ons!er an" &u4an or an" grou# !n$aluable, t&ere !s so4e %&ange !n
$alue for t&e !n!$!ual, e#enent on t&e nu4ber a$a!lable for re$!$!f!5
%at!on' T&ere !s no 8a" generall" 0no8n !f at all for a$o!!ng t&ese $alu5
at!ons so t&at 8e 4a" e%!e t&e #r!or!t!es of a%t!on' In an" e$ent t&e
4arg!nal!t" a##l!es but t&e a$a!lable nu4ber of 8ell #reser$e &u4ans
e$en !n t&at su#re4el" <u!et "et #otent!all" re%u#erat!$e state, !f sl!g&tl"
less !4#ortant to t&e #reser$at!on of t&e ra%e, !s st!ll 8&at 8oul be nor5
4all" ter4e !n$aluable' It !s onl" !n t&ose ranges of t&e %ont!nuu4
8&ere t&e nu4ber #reser$e are so nu4erous as to #ro$e a buren to our
#resent or future resour%es t&at t&e" 8oul b" ef!n!t!on be less $aluable'
Cons!er!ng t&e #resent F$er" lo8 #robab!l!t!es of long ter4 sur$!$alH !t
!s 4ore t&an %ru%!all" !4#erat!$e t&at a nu4ber of !n!$!uals #re#are
t&e4sel$es for t&!s ot&er $er" real an trag!% #oss!b!l!t" !44e!atel"'
One 8oul s8ear t&at t&e !ron!es of t&e un!$erse al8a"s 0ee# 4an on a
0n!fe ege' T&e real #robab!l!t" of t&e !n!$!ual !44ortal!t" an t&us
s#e%!es sur$!$al balan%es aga!nst t&e F$er" lo8 #robab!l!t!es of long ter4
sur$!$al'H T&ere !s &arl" an" 8a" aroun !tM for 4ost t&e latter 8!ll be
t&e real!t"' To"nbee l!0ene 4an0!n to a raft aboar 8&!%& a nu4ber of
4en 8ere &eae for an o4!nous reef' T&e <uest!on 8as 8&et&er t&e"
8oul sur$!$e t&e reef to t&e %al4 lagoon 8!t&!n' T&e analog" !s fa!r but
!t 4!g&t be 4ae 4ore s#e%!f!% an 4o!f!e sl!g&tl"' Onl" a fe8, #er5
&a#s a $er" fe8, 8!ll sur$!$e t&e e2#los!ons of t&e reef an t&e #oss!ble
long after4at& of re%u#erat!on unt!l so4e se4blan%e of 8orl orer o$er
ar4s !s establ!s&e' An e$en t&en t&e" %annot e2#e%t a %al4 an slee#"
lagoon but a $ar!able o#en sea 8!t& !ts usual absen%e of lan4ar0s an
t&e #oss!ble en%ounter 8!t& future reefs' (es#!te t&!s t&ere are a fe8
stars to steer b" !f one 8!ll onl" ta0e t&e4 as goals' T&ere !s t&e e2%!te5
4ent an re8ar of sa!l!ng, freeo4, an %oo#erat!on #lus t&e #ro4!ses
of !stant #orts'
T&e %olle%t!$e e%!s!on to steer, to 4an!#ulate t&e sa!ls, to 4a0e a
ruer an a %enterboar, #robabl" 8on>t %o4e unt!l 8e &a$e &a a ba
bout 8!t& t&e reef' To set t&ose sa!ls !ntell!gentl" !n %on%ert 8!t& t&e
77
stars an 8!ns re<u!res t&at 8e %&ange fro4 our status <uo of r!ft!ng
to8ar eat&' T&ere !s an !ntr!%ate 4o$e4ent an balan%e bet8een 8!ll5
!ngness to %&ange an a stubbornness of assert!ng t&ere !s a %ourse of
goals 8&!%& 4ust #erse$er!ngl" be &el to 4a!nta!n our e2!sten%e at sea
an enable us to rea%& one #ort of %all after anot&er' It !s a el!%ate %al5
%ulus to f!gure 8&!%& !s t&e better to a!4 for, t&e #ort 8&!%& #ro4!ses
#o8er an 8ealt&, a %loser #ort 8&!%& 4erel" #ro4!ses su##l!es, t&e
4ore !stant #ort 8&!%& #ro4!ses #&"s!%al !44ortal!t", or so4e %o4b!5
nat!on of #orts' It !s 0no8n before5&an t&at !n all #robab!l!t" so4e of
t&e %o4#le4ent 8!ll be lost before an" #ort !s rea%&e' An e$en !f t&e
est!nat!on of #&"s!%al !44ortal!t" 8ere rea%&e an !ts fru!t taste so4e
8!ll be !rre$o%abl" lost, for !44ortal!t" !s l!4!te b" ser!ous a%%!ents
an t&e sea of l!fe 8!ll be ?ust as !4#art!al to t&e !44ortal as t&e 4ortal !f
t&e s&ar0s e$our &!4' /ut e$en before t&e %re8 &as t&e %&an%e of
rea%&!ng t&e 8aters of Pon%e e Leon 4an" #orts an 4an" ela"s 4a"
l!e !n 8a!t' If t&ere !s !%e or refr!gerat!on aboar, t&e !ntell!gent %re8
4e4ber 8!ll arrange &!s affa!rs a%%or!ngl"' It !s &o#e t&at "ou 8!ll e25
%use t&e l!bert!es 8e &a$e ta0en 8!t& t&e analog" !n orer to get our #o!nt
a%ross'
We &a$e been ra8n to t&e %on%lus!on bot& b" fa%t an b" e2tra#ola5
t!on Kor fan%" or !4ag!nat!on as so4e of "ou 4a" #referL t&at t&e !ntell!5
gent, res#ons!ble #erson, bot& for &!4self an for &!s s#e%!es, s&oul ar5
range &!s affa!rs so t&at &!s bo" !s best #reser$e relat!$el" #er4anentl"
at lo8 te4#erature' Cons!er!ng t&e #oss!b!l!t" an %a#ab!l!t" of 4an
e2ter4!nat!ng t&e s#e%!es !t !s e%!s!$e t&at t&!s suggest!on be effe%te
soon, at least on t&e #art of so4e reasonable nu4ber of !n!$!uals 8&o
%oul e!t&er %ont!nue t&e ra%e 1BB or #er&a#s !4#ro$e !t BB3 !f re$!$e
at so4e future t!4e' T&ere !s a $ar!at!on 8e 4!g&t %ons!er for a 4o5
4ent'
T&!s $ar!at!on !n$ol$es t&e use of relat!$el" %ont!nuous ra!o 4es5
sages be!ng sent out fro4 t&e 4ost feas!bl" nu4erous #o!nts !n t!4e an
s#a%e 8&!%& 8oul 4ost #robabl" %onta%t ot&er be!ngs 8&o %oul bene5
f!t fro4 our 0no8lege an effe%t our es!res' Con%e!$abl" t&e ra!os
%oul be solar #o8ere an self5re#a!r!ng to last relat!$el" !nef!n!tel"'
T&e #roble4 of 8&!%& 4ost feas!bl" nu4erous #o!nts of #robable %onta%t
!s #robabl" one for t&e !ntelle%t54a%&!nes to ans8er an ref!ne' T&e
eart& trans4!tters 8oul reasonabl" %o$er t&ose #o!nts !n t!4e an s#a%e
8&ere t&e eart& 8!t& t&e Sun an #lanets tra$el on%e aroun our gala2"
e$er" -.. 4!ll!on "ears #lus 4o$!ng t&roug& s#a%e to8ar Her%ules at
so4e #&eno4enal s#ee' /e"on t&!s ra!o trans4!ss!on, our #robab!l!5
t!es of sur$!$al %oul be en&an%e b" orb!t!ng lo8 te4#erature #reser$e
78
!n!$!uals t&roug&out s#a%e' T&e sele%t!on 4!g&t be 4ae on t&e bas!s
of !n!$!uals 8&o s#e%!f!%all" es!gnate t&!s 4oe an fro4 !n!$!u5
als 8&o s#e%!f!%all" es!gnate t&at t&e" !n>t %are one 8a" or t&e ot&er'
W!t& t&e4 8oul go s!4!lar %onstantl" trans4!tt!ng ra!o sets' As !n t&e
%ase of t&ose bur!e !n #er4afrost or l!0e lo85te4#erature %on!t!ons,
t&ose 8&o 8ere orb!t!ng t&roug&out s#a%e 8oul &a$e a re%or 0e#t of
t&e4 8!t& an e"e to8ar retr!e$!ng t&e4 !n t&e future !f t&at 8ere t&e!r
es!re, #resu4abl" after t&e &u4an ra%e &a been so !s#erse t&roug&5
out s#a%e as to relat!$el" !nsure t&e!r sur$!$al' T&e re%ors !n bot& %ases
8oul not onl" be &el b" a %entral agen%" as suggeste but general
su44ar!es 8oul be sent to a nu4ber of l!brar!es, t!4e %a#sules, an
ot&er l!0el" #la%es for t&e #reser$at!on of !nfor4at!on' T&!s orb!t!ng of
!n!$!uals t&roug& s#a%e !s at #resent ob$!ousl" e2tre4el" e2#ens!$e !n
%o4#ar!son to #reser$at!on !n #er4afrost an t&us onl" a t&eoret!%al #os5
s!b!l!t" at #resent' /ut let us return fro4 t&!s fl!g&t of fan%" to t&e 4ore
%on%rete learne res#onses of eart&l!ngs'
If "ou ta0e t&!s &"#ot&es!s to #eo#le 8&o &a$e ne$er &ear of !t be5
fore a l!0el" res#onse 8!ll be an !n%reulous un%o4#re&en!ng be4use5
4ent' Rarel" "ou 4!g&t be e2#ose to a 4ore or less su##resse rage
out of fear of so4et&!ng ne8 or out of so4et&!ng t&e &earer ! not
0no8 before an t&us feels !t a t&reat to &!s self5%on%e#t of 0no8!ng e$5
er"t&!ng' T&e for4er be4use4ent !s 4u%& 4ore l!0el" !n an age 1!n3
8&!%& t&e sub?e%t !s eluge !n ne8 !eas an ne8 !s%o$er!es' T&e 4a5
?or!t" 4a" &a$e rea%&e a #o!nt 8&ere not&!ng sur#r!ses t&e4' A 4o5
ern for4 of fatal!s4 4a" e2ue !n an FI5%ouln>t5%are5lessH att!tue, an
an FE$en5!f5I5!5%are5I5%ouln>t5o5an"t&!ng5about5!t'H /ut no8 t&e"
are !n a #os!t!on to o 4ore #er&a#s t&an e$er before as !n!$!uals' For
t&e #!oneers of self5#reser$at!on !t !s es#e%!all" true t&at t&e" 8!ll !n5
%rease 4an>s %&an%es of sur$!$al as 8ell as t&e!r o8n !n!$!ual l!$es'
For an"one to ta0e t&!s #at& 8!ll !n%rease t&e!r %&an%e of long5ter4 sur5
$!$al'
It &as often !f not al8a"s been true 8!t& 4an0!n t&at 4en &a$e been
able to !nfluen%e affa!rs 4ore 8!t& t&e!r eat&, 4ore 8!t& %ast!ng t&e!r to5
tal $ote t&an !n an" ot&er 8a"' T&!n0 of t&e !4#a%t of Aesus, So%rates,
/runo an a &ost of ot&er 4art"rs an f!g&ters' W&at 8e no8 regret an
es#!se are 4en 8&o 8oul %ast t&e l!$es of 4!ll!ons uner t&e!r %ontrol
!nto a s4!t&ereenal fus!on of glass an ra!oa%t!$e f!re ?ust for an e$entu5
al 4arg!nal !fferen%e !n out4oe #re?u!%es' No8 anot&er be&a$!oral
$ote asso%!ate 8!t& eat& !s o#en !n 8&!%& t&e !n!$!ual %asts for #&"s5
!%al !44ortal!t"' If t&ere e$er 8ere a %&an%e of t&e sal$at!on of be!ng re5
born !n eat& t&!s !s !t' T&e !4#a%t of %ast!ng "our $ote !n an ele%t!on !s
79
r!!%ulousl" s4all b" %o4#ar!son' T&e %&an%e t&at one 4an>s $ote 8!ll
e%!e t&e !ssue !n a nat!onal ele%t!on !s less t&an t&e %&an%e t&at &e 8!ll
4eet &!s eat& on &!s 8a" to t&e #olls' /ut "ou 8!t& "our ne8 $ote &a$e
a 8a" to e$entuall" %!r%u4$ent e$en eat& b" sto##!ng "our b!olog!%al
%lo%0, &ol!ng !n st!llness, an s!len%e, "our for4 an stru%ture, !f a%%!5
ental eat& s&oul o%%ur, unt!l a ne8er t"#e of 8at%&4a0er e$ol$es'
Cast "our $ote' Pre#are for t&e ela"s !n eat& an l!fe' T&en let us get
on 8!t& t&e 8oners of l!$!ng'
Cnt!l t&e 4a?or!t" or large grou#s are 8!t& "ou !n t&!s $enture of
self5#reser$at!on "ou 8!ll fa%e t&e !s%o4fort!ng #o#ular #ressures of
%onser$at!s4 an %onfor4!t" e$er"8&ere' You 8!ll nee t&e strengt& of
%&ara%ter to e%!e for "ourself, t&e strengt& to be an autono4ous an
non5%onfor4!ng #erson, stubbornness an #ers!sten%e to rea%& "our goal'
If "our %on!t!on!ng &as g!$en "ou a #re5t8ent!et& %entur" 4oral!t" !t
8!ll be oubl" &ar to %&ange' You 8!ll be !n great nee of u#5to5ate
!nfor4at!on, fle2!b!l!t", !4ag!nat!on an t&e strengt& to l!$e 8!t& un%er5
ta!nt" 8!t& t&e #oss!b!l!t" t&at "ou 4!g&t be 8rong' All of us, 4ust &a$e
t&e 8!ll!ngness to %&ange !f 8e f!n t&e fa%ts are s!gn!f!%antl" !fferent
fro4 8&at 8e &a #re$!ousl" t&oug&t t&e4 to be'
/ut !n an" ne8 enea$or, e$en 8&en t&e fa%ts %ont!nuousl" su##ort
our a$o%a%", "ou 4ust be #re#are to 4eet t&e buffets of !sbel!ef an
!s#leasure' You 4ust &a$e t&e !4ag!nat!on an %unn!ng to %reate
stratage4s to a%&!e$e "our ens !f "ou are %ont!nuall" frustrate !n
a%&!e$!ng t&e4 b" stra!g&tfor8ar 4eans' You 4ust &a$e t&e 8!ll!ng5
ness to f!g&t aga!nst an brea0 absur la8s an %usto4s an be #re#are
to 4eet t&e %onse<uen%es' In fa%t "ou 8!ll be o!ng %!$!l!@at!on a ser$!%e
!n r!!ng !t of !ts eleter!ous an restr!%t!$e en%rustat!ons t&at #re$ent !t
fro4 furt&er e$elo#4ent $!a a neoten!% for4'
We are at t&e en of our !n<u!r", but as often &a##ens !n t&e sear%& af5
ter trut& an l!fe, 8e &a$e &a our stars to gu!e us to our est!nat!on, but
fan%" an so4et!4es error &a$e eterre us' Often, too often 8e &a$e
ouble ba%0 an re#eate t&e sa4e %ourse' Too often 8e &a$e loose
t&at %erta!n bag of 8!ns on t&e reaer>s ears' /ut !f our %ourse &as been
as e$!ous an as lengt&" an as ela"e at t!4e as O"sseus> 4!g&t 8e
feel t&at !n so4e s4all sense 8e &a$e tra%0e t&e o%ean of !44ortal!t"
an eat& an returne to &!s $e!le an ro%0" nat!$e s&oresE Or &a$e
8e ealt !n a lan 8&ere (on Su!2ote 8elt tr"!ng to reestabl!s& a $alue
t&at !s fore$er lostE An !s our return, or 8!ll !t be, l!0e &!sE E!t&er !s
4ore t&an re8ar enoug&' /ut let us assu4e t&at !t !s 4ore l!0e t&e
$e!le, 4!st", ro%0" s&ore of It&a%a u#on 8&!%& 8e are a8a0en!ng' We
&a$e &a a long, e2%!t!ng an goo ?ourne" !nto un0no8n reg!ons' We
80
4a" be te4#orar!l" 8ea0ene' We 0no8 not for sure e2a%tl" u#on
8&!%& %oast 8e stan but 8e 0no8 8e &a$e a 0!ngo4 before us' We
8!ll gat&er our strengt& an our 8!ts about us an #ro%ee' For 8e>ll go
out of t&!s 8orl, !f 8e 4ust, 8!t& ne!t&er a bang nor a 8&!4#er but a
stratage4'
81
POSTSCRIPT
T&oug& t&!s boo0 8as !n t&e 4a!n f!n!s&e !n *+,* after t8o or
t&ree "ears of resear%&, gestat!on, !s%uss!on, an esultor" 8r!t!ng, t&e
"ear *+,- !n%lue %ons!erable %onf!r4at!on of t&e !ea be!ng !n t&e a!r'
It 8as e4barrass!ng to obser$e a lur!l" sensat!onal ne8s#a#er run a full
#age &eal!ne: FSCIENTIST (ISCOIERS HOW YOC CAN LIIE
FOREIER'H He !n>t reall", not !n t&e sense t&at &e 8as #resentl" 8!ll5
!ng to #ro$!e "ou 8!t& a reasonable set of #lans guarantee!ng "our fu5
ture l!fe &ere an no8' Ne!t&er, I sus#e%t, 8oul &e %la!4 t&at &e !s%o$5
ere Eternal L!fe !f 8e as0e &!4' All &e &as s&o8n !s t&at ag!ng !n
%&!%0ens an 4!%e !s sus%e#t!ble to so4e %ontrols' T&ese are t&e Mon5
santo e2#er!4ents referre to earl!er'
If t&!s bran of ?ournal!s4 &as a##arentl" !4#l!e 4u%& 4ore t&an
8arrante, !t !s ne$ert&eless anot&er !n!%ator of t&e s#rea of !eas on
s%!en%e e$entuall" a%&!e$!ng !44ortal!t" for 4en' Of greater $alue are
so4e of t&e %o44ents <uote of aut&or!t!es' (r' Aose#& W' St!ll of
=eorge Was&!ngton Cn!$ers!t" &as been <uote: FAg!ng !s s!4#l" a !s5
ease' It %an be l!%0e ?ust as tuber%ulos!s an ot&er !seases 8ere
l!%0e'H
Fro4 t&e ot&er s!e of t&e #lanet, So$!et s%!ent!st, Ila!4!r T' Du#re5
$!%&, earl" t&!s "ear, 1!s3 re#orte to &a$e sa!:
FW&" s&oul 4an !e of ol ageE I %ons!er t&e #ro%ess of ag!ng an
abnor4al #ro%ess' I a4 sure 8e %an f!n 4eans for s8!t%&!ng off t&e
4e%&an!s4 8&!%& 4a0es %ells age' T&en 4an, &!s bo" %ells eter5
nall" rene8e as t&e" age, 8oul be%o4e !44ortal'H
Ho8e$er !t !s ob$!ous, as 8!t& t&e re%ent trag!% loss of Mrs' Roo5
se$elt, t&at 4an" #eo#le 8!ll !e before s%!ent!sts reall" !s%o$er &o8
"ou %an l!$e fore$er b" !et %ontrol' (!s%uss!ons &a$e broug&t to t&e
fore a nu4ber of a!t!onal #o!nts'
One !s t&e great %on%ern for atte4#t!ng to ensure one>s 8ealt& 8&!le
be!ng #reser$e !n a or4ant %on!t!on' BB T&ose 8&o are so fortunate
as to &a$e t&!s #roble4' So4e &a$e t&oug&t, l!0e 4an" a tr!bes4an be5
fore t&e4, of ta0!ng so4e of t&e!r 8orll" goos 8!t& t&e4 !n t&e!r #er5
4a%r"#t' BB Per&a#s a s4all bag of !a4ons or a s4all store of gol'
If 4en a%t !n t&e future as t&e" &a$e a%te !n t&e #ast t&!s 8oul be e25
tre4e foll"' T&e 4ost 4ass!$e an !ntr!%ate #"ra4! !n>t sto# gra$e
robbers !f t&ere 8ere t&e s%ent of gol' T&e safest 8a" b" far !s to 4a0e
sure no #erson &el !n sus#ens!on &as an" art!%le of te4#tat!on about
82
t&e4, or !f t&e" o t&e" s&oul be &el !n or4an%" !n an es#e%!all"
4ar0e &a@arous area far fro4 t&ose 8&o 8!s& to best !nsure sur$!$al'
Se%on, !f #rof!t 4a0!ng establ!s&4ents, or non#rof!t s#e%!al !nterest
grou#s, atte4#t to sell or #ro$!e ser$!%es #ursuant to #reser$!ng t&e
bo", an !f &!stor" tea%&es us an"t&!ng, t&e" #robabl" 8!ll tr" to #er5
suae t&e!r %l!ents !nto 4an" unne%essar", e2#ens!$e, 8ort&less, #oss!bl"
&ar4ful e2tra$agan%es' T&e s!4#lest, 4ost !n%ons#!%uous 4oe of
#reser$at!on 8!ll #ro$e best for sur$!$al' Heas of state, #ro4!nent an
$a!n #ersons, 4a" be%o4e ens%on%e !n elaborate, refr!gerate %r"#ts on
#ubl!% !s#la", but at 4u%& greater r!s0 to t&e!r ult!4ate sur$!$al'
T&!r, to be 4ore s#e%!f!% %on%ern!ng t&e %on%e#t of eat&, !t !s beg!n5
n!ng to &a$e an alterat!on !n %&ara%ter, less f!nal!t", an a greater
a4enab!l!t" to %ontrol an e%a"'
One %an !4ag!ne t&e se4ant!% an legal snarls #eo#le 8!ll &a$e to %ut
t&roug&' T&e la8, !t !s &o#e, 8!ll %at%& u# 8!t& s%!en%e, %ons!er!ng t&e
or4ant #reser$e #erson ea not f!nall" but te4#orar!l"' T&e eat&
%ert!f!%ate for t&ose 8&o are be!ng #reser$e s&oul be altere to rea Fa
%ert!f!%ate of sus#ens!on,H follo8e at a later ate b" a Fnote of resus%!ta5
t!on'H Our gu!e aga!n, !n all of t&!s, !s t&at t&e 8elfare of t&e !n!$!ual
s&oul be %ons%!ousl" %ons!ere f!rst an t&at of t&e state last'
Alt&oug& t&e 4anus%r!#t &as been !n $er" fe8 &ans t&us far se$eral
&a$e sa! t&e" ef!n!tel" 8!s& to reg!ster' T&e" also &a a fe8 a!t!onal
<uest!ons'
M!g&t not one 8a0e u# to an ent!rel" fore!gn en$!ron4ent, #er&a#s a
&ost!le one, t&reatene b" ato4!% 8ars, an e$o! of our lo$e onesE
We 4!g&t sa" t&at 8ar, as t&e ant&ro#olog!st !nfor4s us, !s not t&e eat&5
l" attenant of all so%!et!es for all t!4e' It see4s so to us, an !s an o$er5
8&el4!ng t&reat at #resent, but so4e &u4ans at least 8!ll #robabl" 4a0e
!t t&roug& to for4 4ore #ea%eful so%!et!es !n t&e future' T&at t&e en$!5
ron4ent 8!ll be ent!rel" fore!gn !s unl!0el"' If "ou e%!e on sus#ens!on,
ot&ers, e$en of "our o8n fa4!l" 8!ll l!0el" e%!e s!4!larl"' T&e state of
affa!rs 4ore #robabl" 8!ll be one !n 8&!%& "ou &a$e an abunan%e of
fr!ens an lo$e ones' (e#en!ng on t&e !fferen%es !n t!4e of eat&
an t!4es of resus%!tat!on "ou 4a" f!n "our gran#arents, #arents, %&!l5
ren, gran%&!lren, et%', about "ou, all of 8&o4 4a" be a##ro2!4atel"
t&e sa4e age' T&ere 4a" o%%as!onall" be t&e ano4al" of "our %&!l be5
!ng oler t&an "ou an "our #arents be!ng "ounger t&an "ou an so fort&'
If resus%!tat!on %a4e 8!t&!n a %entur" a #erson 8&o &as a gran%&!l
no8 4!g&t 8a0e to l!$e an %on$erse 8!t& t&at sa4e #erson'
If 8e %ons!er for a 4o4ent (!ogenes, Eur!#!es, or Ar!sto#&anes re5
turn!ng to our %entur" after so4e -.5o %entur!es !n bet8een, !t %an be
83
seen t&at t&e a?ust4ents 8ouln>t be unsur4ountable' T&e #lu4b!ng
4!g&t be !4#ro$e a b!t, but t&e" 8oul note t&at 4an &a &!s sa4e ol
%olle%t!$e neuroses an #s"%&oses' T&e!r ob?e%ts &a %&ange but t&e
funa4entals 8oul be fa4!l!ar' For all our tr!als an angers t&e"
8oul #robabl" !44ensel" en?o" t&e4sel$es, an 8e 8oul en?o" t&e4'
Anot&er 8orr" 8as 8&et&er or not t&e organ!@at!on 8!t& 8&!%& "ou
reg!stere "our es!re 8oul be %o4#etent an rel!able enoug& to %arr"
t&roug& t&e tas0' =enerall" s#ea0!ng !t !sn>t too %o4#l!%ate !f 8e on>t
4a0e !t so' It !s true 8e all feel 4ore %o4forte uner t&e letter&ea of a
re#utable an fa4ous boar of !re%tors 8&o 4a" #er&a#s ta0e t&e #la%e
of t&e gos of ol, but t&e ?ob re4a!ns t&e sa4e' We %an &a$e %ons!er5
able fa!t& !n our fello8 4en to %arr" out our !ntent!ons, for t&e" 8!ll e5
s!re us to o t&e sa4e for t&e4, !f 8e let t&e4 0no8 our !ntent!ons, an !f
at f!rst 8e la" as!e t&e sa4e funs t&at 8e 8oul nor4all" la" as!e for
a funeral Kan !n 4an" %ases 4u%& lessL to t&e en of %ool!ng an stor5
age' Later %!$!l!@at!on s&oul guarantee t&e r!g&t to !44ortal!t" as !t 8!ll
unoubtabl" guarantee t&e r!g&t to a "earl" !n%o4e, but !n t&e 4ean8&!le
t&e res#ons!b!l!t" l!es 8!t& t&e !n!$!ual #erson'
We 4a" note t&at so%!et" !s <u!te sol!%!tous about bur"!ng #eo#le
8&et&er t&e" l!0e !t or not' Te%&n!%all" t&ere are no #roble4s' In $er"
%ol %l!4es 4an" bo!es l!e fro@en r!g&t no8, t&oug& !t !s oubtful !f !t !s
for reasons of ult!4ate resus%!tat!on' In t&e 8ar4er %l!4ates t&e bo"
4ust be ta0en to a %ool!ng #lant, %oole suff!%!entl", trans#orte to t&e
#er4afrost area, an !nterre not!ng t&e ne%essar" ata' T&ere !s l!ttle
but a sl!g&t alterat!on !n our %usto4ar" arrange4ents' T&e anger !s
4ore !n oursel$esM t&at 8e 8!ll #ut u# !4ag!nar" barr!ers, or allo8 !nst!5
tut!ons an go$ern4ents to befule us 8!t& re5ta#e an unne%essar"
e2#enses' It !s 8!se for t&e organ!@at!on t&at ta0es %are of t&!s, #ro$!!ng
8&ate$er ser$!%es !t %an, to e$entuall" go uner CN su#er$!s!on'
All!e 8!t& t&!s %on%ern for t&e #ro#er #reser$at!on !s t&e %on%ern
8&et&er or not t&e bra!n, a #&eno4enall" !ntr!%ate 4e%&an!s4, 8!ll be
&ar4e !n an" 8a"' T&e <uest!on !s 8&et&er or not !t 8!ll sur$!$e !n
#ro#er fun%t!on!ng orerE As 4ent!one earl!er t&ere &a$e been stu!es
!n free@!ng %ells 8&!%& !n!%ate t&at all of t&e free ra!%als, all of t&e rela5
t!ons&!#s 8!t&!n t&e %ells, are !n t&e sa4e relat!ons&!#s u#on re8ar4!ng'
T&!s 8oul see4 to !n!%ate reason for o#t!4!s4' L!0e8!se t&e 4a?or!t"
of 4!%e an rats t&at 8ere fro@en re%u#erate 8!t& no !ll effe%ts 8&!%& !n5
%lue obser$!ng &o8 t&e" res#one 4entall"' /es!es t&!s t&ere un5
oubtabl" 8!ll be %ons!erable furt&er e2#er!4entat!on to 4a0e reason5
abl" sure t&e &u4an 8!ll sur$!$e 4entall" %o4#etent before &e !s resus5
%!tate'
84
*+,- broug&t a %r!t!%al !n%rease !n 8ar tens!on for at least a br!ef #er!5
o of t!4e bet8een t&e t8o 4egal!t&!% #o8ers C'S' an C'S'S'R' T&e
lesson 8oul see4 to be t&at 8e &a$e 8eat&ere t&e br!n0 on%e 4ore but
t&ere !s no reasonable guarantee t&at t&e &olo%aust 8!ll not e$entuall"
eru#t as long as nat!on5states refuse to g!$e t&e!r 4!l!tar" so$ere!gnt" to
t&e Cn!te Nat!ons'
For t&e 4ore %erta!n #reser$at!on of "our l!fe #resentl", an "our
bo" e$entuall", !t 8oul a##ear best to re4o$e "ourself to t&e safer
#arts of t&e globe !f "ou l!$e !n t&e nort&ern &e4!s#&er!% &olo%aust areas'
T&ese areas at #resent a##ear to be t&e Euras!an &eartlan, Nort& A4er!5
%a, an t&e fr!%t!on #o!nts !n bet8een' /e%ause of fallout, no #la%e !n t&e
nort&ern &e4!s#&ere !s as safe as !ts sout&ern %ounter#art' If t&e 4e5
gal!t&s are 4o$!ng to8ar a %ons!erable estru%t!on of ea%& ot&er t&e
safer #la%es to l!$e an !e K!f "ou 4ust, an t&en be fro@enL a##ear to be
Austral!a, Ne8 Pealan, Sout& A4er!%a, an #oss!bl" sout&ern Afr!%a'
T&e fallout %&arts !n!%ate !t 8oul be 4u%& safer t&ere not to 4ent!on
t&e 4ore gr!sl" effe%ts of atte4#t!ng to l!$e !n t&e ra!oa%t!$e ru!ns of
t8o or t&ree %&arre nort&ern %!$!l!@at!ons'
(e%e4ber *+,- broug&t a!t!onal <uest!ons, an suggest!ons, an
greater a%%e#tan%e !n t&e %&annels of %o44un!%at!on'
One of t&e !nterest!ng ans8ers 8&!%& &as %o4e out !n re#l" to t&e
<uest!on: FYour #reser$at!on #lan &as great #laus!b!l!t", but su##ose for
so4e reason 8&!%& "ou %an>t en$!sage at t&e #resent t&at !t oesn>t
8or0EH !s t&at !t st!ll re4a!ns 8ort&8&!le to #reser$e t&e bo" for s%!en5
t!f!% use 8&!%& 8!ll &el# ot&ers'
A re%ent, rat&er fan%!ful suggest!on !s t&at !n %erta!n %!r%u4stan%es
so4e !n!$!uals 4a" 8!s& to 8ear a 4!nute ra!o trans4!tter 8&!%&
8oul %ont!nuousl" sen bo" %on!t!on ata to a %entral e2%&ange or a
4enta4a%&!ne' In %ase of e2tre4e anger or eat& res%ue o#erat!ons
%oul beg!n 8!t&out ela"' Cou#le 8!t& t&!s uner %erta!n %!r%u45
stan%es 4!g&t be t&e !nstallat!on of free@!ng e$!%es' A e$!%e 4a" %on5
%e!$abl" be e$elo#e 8&!%& 8!ll free@e b" releas!ng flu!s 8!t&!n t&e
s"ste4, or b" e2ternal orJan !nternal t&er4o%ou#les'
T&e Ne8 Yor0 Times lens !n%reas!ng res#e%tab!l!t" to t8o &"#ot&e5
ses: t&at age %an be %ontrolle an t&at 4an 4a" learn t&e te%&n!<ues of
regenerat!on' La8ren%e =alton !n &!s !nter$!e8s 8!t& lea!ng Colu4b!a
Cn!$ers!t" s%!ent!sts re#orts,
FT&ere are t&ose 8&o bel!e$e t&at, t&roug& anal"s!s of (NA !n %ells,
!t 4a" be%o4e #oss!ble to eter4!ne 8&et&er an !n!$!ual !s sus5
%e#t!ble to %an%er an ot&er !seasesM t&at s%!ent!sts 4a" 8ell f!n
85
t&at t&e ag!ng #ro%ess !n$ol$es %&anges !n t&e genet!% %oe 8!t& #as5
sage of t!4e an t&at su%& %&anges 4a" #oss!bl" be #re$ente'H
=alton re#orts furt&er:
F(r' Ha"as&! sees anot&er brea0t&roug& !n t&e off!ng' A &u4an be5
!ng beg!ns as a s!ngle %ell' At 4atur!t", t&ere are b!ll!ons of %ells BB
8ell !fferent!ate' W&at 4e%&an!s4s %ontrol t&e !fferent!at!on
#ro%ess BB so t&at an ar4 !s al8a"s an ar4, for e2a4#leE OT&e %on5
troll!ng 4e%&an!s4s 8!ll be elu%!ate' An t&ere !s a #oss!b!l!t"
t&at regenerat!on %oul be a%&!e$e'> F
Furt&er, (r' Sebrell su##orts &!s fello8 s%!ent!st b" sa"!ng,
FT&ere !s a fa!r %&an%e, too, t&at 8e 8!ll unerstan t&e 4e%&an!s4s
b" 8&!%& organs e$elo#' If so, 8e 4a" $er" 8ell be able to gro8 a
ne8 ar4' W&en an organ e$elo#s, !t gro8s to a %erta!n s!@e an
sto#s' W&at sto#s t&e gro8t&E Can !t be starte aga!nE Cut t&e ta!l
off a sala4aner, an !t regro8s t&e ta!l' If nature &as 4ae t&!s
#oss!ble for t&e sala4aner, t&ere !s a 4e%&an!s4 t&at 4an %an
learn'H
T&e Was&!ngton "ost re%entl" re#orte,
Fsurgeons an s%!ent!sts are fas&!on!ng a stunn!ng ne8 brea05
t&roug& o$er eat& b" borro8!ng an trans#lant!ng &ealt&" organs
G OT&ere !s no <uest!on but t&at t&!s #roble4 !s go!ng to be sol$e,>
e%lares (r' (a$! M' Hu4e of t&e Me!%al College of I!rg!n!a !n
R!%&4on' G In re%ent 4e!%al &!stor", *7 0!ne"s &a$e t&us been
borro8e fro4 t&e ne8l" ea, an at least ;- &a$e been onate b"
l!$!ng #ersons, fro4 t8!ns to relat!$es to $!rtual strangers'H
/ot& Q5ra"s an rugs &a$e been use to retar t&e ant!bo"5for4!ng
4e%&an!s4s 8&!%& &a$e &!nere %o4#le2 organ trans#lants t&us far'
T&e last e$aluat!on of t&e t&es!s an t&e boo0 !n general, for *+,-,
8as t&roug& a !s%uss!on b" about -. #ersons on (e%' -7r' As t&e
sa4e <uest!ons 8ere as0e of t&ese !n!$!uals as are l!ste !n t&e FRe5
<uest For Your O#!n!onH t&at #attern 8!ll be follo8e !n su44ar!@!ng
t&e #o!nts of t&e !s%uss!on, sal!ent an ot&er8!se, BB 8!t& a &ealt&" !n5
?e%t!on of t&e aut&or>s b!as'
*' T&ere see4e to be a %onsensus t&at t&e sub?e%t 8as !44ortal!t"
an t&e #rolongat!on of l!fe'
-' T&e #roble4 8as seen as K*L &o8 to a%&!e$e !44ortal!t", or K-L
86
&o8 to %on$!n%e t&e #ubl!% t&at !44ortal!t" !s #oss!ble, or K7L 8&at to o
for #eo#le, &ere an no8, 8&o es!re a reasonable %&an%e at !44ortal!t"
!n t&!s !nter!4 #er!o before su%%essful 4et&os of ag!ng %ontrol &a$e
been a%&!e$e'
7' T&e <uest!on FW&at !s t&e t&es!sEH 8as ans8ere as follo8s:
K*L (eat& !s not !ne$!table'
K-L I44ortal!t" !s a real #oss!b!l!t"'
K7L I44ortal!t" !s #oss!ble, ur!ng t&e !nter!4 #er!o, $!a free@!ng
an #ro#erl" stor!ng t&e bo"'
7a' So4e sa! flatl" t&at t&e t&es!s 8as substant!ate, ot&ers 8ere of a
4ore s0e#t!%al turn of 4!n e#en!ng on t&e a4ount of !44e!ate
#roof t&e" e4ane'
Not to !4#l" 8&at #eo#le !n general 8oul feel, but s!4#l" to re#ort
8&at -. !n!$!uals !ntereste !n rea!ng an !s%uss!ng !eas t&oug&t of
t&e t&es!s, about ** 8ere %on$!n%e, about 6 8ere un%on$!n%e, an :
8ere of an !neter4!nate o#!n!on' One t&oug&t t&e free@!ng an resus%!5
tat!on of t&e &a4sters 8as suff!%!ent #roof of !ts e$entual a%&!e$e4ent
for &u4ans' Anot&er 8as !n%ense b" t&e %o4#ar!son' Most agree t&at
#rolongat!on of l!fe 8!ll %ont!nue' One felt t&ere 4ust be so4e absolute
l!4!t to l!fe'
7b' T&e <uest!on 8&et&er an"t&!ng !n$al!ates t&e t&es!s 8as %o45
4ente on as follo8s: No #os!t!$e s%!ent!f!% $al!at!on no8 e2!sts, !n t&e
sense t&at no 4an &as been fro@en for an" reasonable lengt& of t!4e an
resus%!tate' So4e 8!ll onl" bel!e$e !t #oss!ble 8&en t&!s &as been
a%&!e$e' Ot&ers sa! s#e%!f!%all" t&at not&!ng !n$al!ates t&e t&es!s'
Ot&ers 8or0e t&e 4!le groun, t&at !f bra!n eter!orat!on !s too great,
BB #resu4abl" be"on one &alf &our before free@!ng, t&e !n!$!ual
8oul &a$e a sl!4 %&an%e of re%o$er"' Probabl" t&e 4ost #ra%t!%al sug5
gest!on to %o4e fro4 t&e !s%uss!ons 8as t&!s !ns!sten%e on t&e !4#or5
tan%e of $!rtuall" !44e!ate free@!ng' An unusual ela" bet8een eat&
an free@!ng, !f not !rre4e!able, 4!g&t 4ean a 8a!t of &unres of e2tra
"ears before enoug& 8as learne about re%onst!tut!ng t&e or!g!nal #at5
tern, BB an, a #ro&!b!t!$e resurre%t!on b!ll'
Se$eral felt t&at for so%!al an #s"%&olog!%al reasons free@!ng for #ur5
#oses of resus%!tat!on 8oul ne$er be allo8e' =o$ern4ents 8!t& t&e!r
arrogant !ns!sten%e on a 8!ll!ngness to 8ar, for a 4arg!nal !fferen%e !n
!eolog", 8&en %o4#are 8!t& t&e $alue of l!fe, 8oul f!n t&e4sel$es
!n %onfl!%t 8!t& t&e es!re for #&"s!%al !44ortal!t"' Anot&er #erson felt
87
t&at 4en 8oul lose t&e!r san!t" tr"!ng to a?ust to future %!$!l!@at!ons
an all of t&e %&anges !44ortal!t" 8oul !n$ol$e'
7%' T&oug& t&e bas!% argu4ents 4a" be t&ere, 4ost felt t&e nee for:
better arrange4ent of t&e 4ater!al, a!t!onal e2#lanat!on of %erta!n
ter4s, an a 4ore %onser$at!$e est!4ate of t&e lengt& of t!4e for t&e sug5
geste a%&!e$e4ents' Su!te a nu4ber of #art!%!#ants %ounsele t&at !t
8oul be 4u%& better to #ro?e%t t&e en of t&e !nter!4 #er!o an t&e
f!rst su%%essful resus%!tat!ons of t&e sol!l" fro@en to Fso4et!4e !n t&e
-*st or --n %entur"'H T&e %r!t!%!s4 !s 8ell5ta0en' Analog" su##ort!ng
t&!s !s a I!n%!>s #ra%t!%al suggest!ons for fl"!ng an t&e o$er 6.. "ear
!nter!4 #er!o before !t 8as a%&!e$e' KWe %an !4ag!ne t&at an%!ent 4en
reasone: BB !f b!rs %an fl", 8&" %an>t 4enEL T&e analog" %ont!nues to
!nstru%t us t&at 8e 4a" selo4 e2#e%t an" #ro%ess, be !t fl"!ng or !44or5
tal!t", to s#r!ng 8!t& full blo8n #erfe%t!on fro4 t&e &ea of 4an' T&e
a!r#lane f!rst fle8 for a fe8 se%ons' In a fe8 "ears !t 8as fl"!ng for
&ours' If 8e 8!s&e 8e %oul es!gn one t&at %oul re4a!n aloft !nef!5
n!tel", b" re#a!r!ng an refuel!ng !n fl!g&t' So4e satell!tes &a$e 4ae
e$en t&at out4oe' An!4al an &u4an free@!ngs an rean!4at!ons are
l!0el" to follo8 a s!4!lar #attern !n t!4e'
Lastl", 4ore s%!ent!f!% ata %oul be ut!l!@e for substant!at!on, su%&
as t&e ne8 !nfor4at!on on t&e genet!% %oe, !ts #oss!b!l!t!es for regenera5
t!on, as !n age #ersons 8&o re#ortel" o%%as!onall" gro8 a t&!r set of
teet&, an t&e re%ent trans#lant!ng of %arefull" 8as&e an!4al bones !n
&u4ans'
7' A4ong t&e 4an" suggest!ons 8as t&e #ro#osal t&at &!bernat!on
s&oul be 4ore %arefull" stu!e an use as a trans!t!on to #reser$at!on
b" free@!ng an ag!ng %ontrol' Anot&er, offere t&at !nst!tut!ons 4!g&t
%ons!er 8&at %oul be one to &el# o$er%o4e t&e eat& !nst!n%t 8&!%& !s
#oss!bl" <u!te strong !n &u4an!t"' Cnan!4ous agree4ent 8as reser$e
for t&e #lan to free@e no8 an #a" later'
7e' Suest!ons 8ere ra!se 8&et&er fa%t 8as al8a"s !st!ngu!s&e fro4
o#!n!on: Is a #erson reall" a 4essageE Can a 4a%&!ne t&!n0 an %o45
#re&enE Are %&!lren reall" s4arter t&an t&e!r #arentsE T&at a #erson
!s a 4essage see4s outrageous, but t&!s a##ears to be 8&at W!ener sug5
gests' He, as 8ell as, =re" Walter, As&b", an (' A' /ell !n $ntelligent
*achines, suggests t&at 4a%&!nes o t&!n0' T&e 4ean!ng of %o4#re&en
as use, 4eant t&at t&e 4a%&!ne K4ean!ng !n t&!s %ase t&e 4enta4a%&!neL
%oul en%o4#ass, gat&er !n a 8!e range of 8a$e ata, far 8!er t&an t&e
&u4an %an, !n%or#orate !t, an often 0no8 &o8 to a%t be%ause of t&e #ar5
88
t!%ular nature of t&at ata'
C&!lren are 4ore !ntell!gent !n t&e sense t&at Ho4o sa#!ens are su#5
#ose to be 4ore !ntell!gent t&an an%!ent Australo#!t&e%!nes'
T&e !ea t&at 4an 8as ne$er 4eant to 8or0 %ause %ons!erable %on5
sternat!on' If so4e feel t&at &e 8as, 8e 8!s& t&e4 gos#ee !n t&e
s#ee" #ursuan%e of t&e!r %on$!%t!on' We onl" &o#e t&e" 8!ll uner5
stan t&e!r nee for ot&ers of a (!ogenean #ersuas!on to stan as!e an
4e!tat!$el" a##re%!ate t&e!r Fne%essar"H labors'
7f' T&e t&es!s %oul be teste, grauall", !n t!4e, b" %ont!nu!ng re5
sear%& on free@!ng an resus%!tat!ng larger an 4ore %o4#le2 an!4als for
longer #er!os of t!4e' Iolunteers, fro4 t&e %one4ne, fro4 %erta!n
t"#es of ter4!nal !llnesses, an #oss!bl" fro4 ot&er sour%es, %oul be
use !f !t 8ere reasonabl" establ!s&e t&at not&!ng 8oul be lost to t&e
!n!$!ual !n <uest!on an 4u%& 4!g&t be ga!ne for &!4 an for ot&ers'
One #erson, !n agree4ent 8!t& t&e te2t, ae t&at !f an" #erson e5
%!e t&ere 8as not&!ng to lose, %ons!er!ng t&e %!r%u4stan%es, an" ot&er
alternat!$e be!ng an enless obl!$!on, t&en &e s&oul arrange to &a$e &!s
bo" fro@en an store'
7g' So4e felt t&at t&e long !s<u!s!t!on on t&e 4a%&!nes an t&e 4ore
!4ag!nat!$e l!terature %oul &a$e been tr!44e' Per&a#s t&e" are r!g&t'
/ut 8oul 8e &a$e t&e feel!ng 8e &a 8r!tten a boo0E
7&' T&at analog!es brea0 at so4e #o!nt !s true' It !s also true t&at
8&en t&e" &ol, t&e" a! !n 4u%& of t&e 8orl>s #roble4 sol$!ng' /a%te5
r!a, &a4sters, an &u4ans &a$e all t&e bas!% b!olog!%al %&ara%ter!st!%s !n
%o44on' /ut 8e o not 4ean t&at ?ust be%ause ba%ter!a &a$e been salt5
e a8a" for &unres of 4!ll!ons of "ears an t&en rean!4ate $!a
8ar4t& an 8ater, t&at t&e sa4e %oul be one 8!t& a &a4ster or a &u5
4an' Ob$!ousl" t&e" 8oul ?ust eter!orate' Nor o 8e 4ean t&at ?ust
be%ause a &a4ster>s te4#erature %an be lo8ere belo8 free@!ng, 8!t&
&alf of t&e bo" %ontents fro@en, an t&en rean!4ate &!4 8!t& a %ou#le of
l!g&tbulbs t&at t&e sa4e %an be one 8!t& a &u4an' T&e !fferen%es are
su%& t&at s%!ent!sts 4ust e$elo# unusuall" so#&!st!%ate te%&n!<ues of
resus%!tat!on an rean!4at!on before su%& a feat !s #oss!ble' W&at !s sug5
geste !s t&at t&e #resent s&ort ter4 free@!ng of &a4sters an ot&er an!5
4als #o!nts t&e 8a" to a real #robab!l!t" for 4en' T&e !fferen%es are
t&ose of egree an 4a" be o$er%o4e 8!t&!n a fe8 %entur!es'
So4e felt t&e te2t !4#l!e t&at geno%!e, or !44ortal!t", 8ere !n5
e$!table, or so4e of bot&' T&e aut&or>s 4ean!ng 8as not so str!%t' Man
!n so4e sense a##ears to &a$e so4e %ontrol o$er t&e out%o4e' At least
89
ours &as been a re#eate #lea for t&e #rolongat!on of !n!$!ual l!fe' It !s
4eant t&at geno%!e !s t&e log!%al out%o4e !f 4an oes t&us an so' I45
4ortal!t" !s t&e out%o4e !f 4an !nst!tutes ot&er %ooler an 4ore stu!ous
#ro%eures' A 4!2ture of t&e t8o !s %erta!nl" #oss!ble' Man0!n &as a
gen!us for o!ng e$er"t&!ng'
7!' T&e ob?e%t!on !s grante 8!t& ala%r!t" t&at t&e 8r!ter &as selo4
ef!ne &!s ter4s ae<uatel"' T&e %on%e#t!ons an ef!n!t!ons are to be
%ons!ere #ro$!s!onal' All of t&e4 are o#en to a4en4ent an %&ange'
None are sa%re' All are !n a state of flu2' As suggeste before, eat&
a##ears to be ga!n!ng a 8!er 4ore fle2!ble 4ean!ng' (eat& 4a" often
be a or4ant %on!t!on !n 8&!%& t&e 4ole%ular l!fe #ro%esses are &el !n
stas!s' It 4a" also 4ean, e#en!ng on t&e %ase, obl!$!on an no return'
Most of t&e t!4e 8&en t&e 8or !44ortal!t" 8as use !n t&e te2t !t
4eant a %on!t!on !n 8&!%& t&e !n!$!ual 8oul not nor4all" !e
t&roug& ag!ng, t&oug& &e 8oul be $ulnerable to eat& t&roug& a%%!ents
or su!%!es of !rre4e!able bo!l" !s%er#t!on an estru%t!on' T&e #ro5
$!s!onal %on%e#t!on en$!s!ons at #resent t&e ne%ess!t" of free@!ng !f one
!es before ag!ng %ontrol or #rolongat!on e$!%es are o#erable' /ut !f
one 8ere resus%!tate t&!s !n>t 4ean one 8as !44ortal' It 8as &o#e5
full" t&oug&t t&at ag!ng %ontrol an #rolongat!on 8oul be e$elo#e !n
t&e future, #er&a#s b" t&e t!4e rean!4at!on 8as #ra%t!%al' E$en !f t&e
%&an%e of !44ortal!t" la" before t&e !n!$!ual &!s or &er l!fe e2#e%tan%"
4!g&t st!ll be so4e fun%t!on of t&e rate of ser!ous a%%!ents !n!%ate
abo$e' It !s %on%e!$able t&at s%!ent!sts 4!g&t be able to safel" store ea%&
#erson>s #attern, !f t&e !n!$!ual es!re !t, to offset losses b" a%%!ent'
,' T&!s s!e of totall" re8r!t!ng an reorgan!@!ng t&e boo0 K8&!%& one
4an $etoe, be%ause t&e 8a" !t !s 8r!tten no8 s&oul set all of t&e non5
%onfor4!sts r!g&t on egeL t&e 4ost #o!nte ob?e%t!on on t&e #art of a
fe8 %on%erne t&e 8!lls 8&!%& s&oul be e!t&er e2%!se or re4o$e to
t&e en of t&e boo0'
KI 8!s& to state e2#l!%!tl" t&at "ou onl" use t&e 8!lls !f "ou &a$e no
better alternat!$e' I on>t &a##en to 0no8 of a better one, but "ou 4a",
an !f "ou o "ou s&oul log!%all" a$a!l "ourself of !t' M" #ersonal feel5
!ng, as e2#la!ne, !s t&at so4e agen%" s&oul a%t as a re#os!tor" of
re%ors %on%ern!ng t&!s an as an !nfor4at!on e2%&ange %enter' T&ese
fun%t!ons -.t& C' /oo0s &as $olunteere unt!l t&e C'N' 4!g&t ta0e o$er
su#er$!s!on' -.t& C' /oo0s %annot &el# 8!t& t&e free@!ng an trans#orta5
t!on e2%e#t 8!t& !nfor4at!on on t&ese an ot&er all!e nees' We are
gla to #ro$!e t&ese fun%t!ons unt!l a better arrange4ent !s !nst!tute,
an a#olog!@e !f 8e &a$e been too ent&us!ast!% for our o8n eu%at!onal
90
#rogra4: &o8e$er not so 4u%& t&at !t &as 0e#t us fro4 #resent!ng !t for
"our %ons!erat!on'L
9' A4ong all t&e %onse<uen%es suggeste !s t&e !ngen!ous #oss!b!l!t"
t&at 8!t& ag!ng %ontrol so4e of our "out& 8!ll e4an ra#! ag!ng to
4ore <u!%0l" rea%& t&e!r o#t!4u4 %a#ab!l!t!es' Ma" 8e es%a#e so4e of
t&e ra$ages, angu!s&, an el!g&ts of aoles%en%eE
All of t&e #robable %onse<uen%es of !44ortal!t" 8e %an t&!n0 of
s&oul be !s%usse !n t&e &o#e t&at 8e 4a" be able to a$o! t&e #oss!5
ble !ll effe%ts, an 4ore !ntell!gentl" en?o" 8&at 8e assu4e are t&e
greater benef!ts' T&!s 8!ll &a$e to 8a!t for t&e #resent'
On%e 4ore 8e ta0e lea$e of 8&at 4ust &a$e been a $er" #at!ent rea5
er' If t&e st"le &as see4e unul" self5%ons%!ous an efens!$e, #er&a#s
"ou 8!ll #art!all" forg!$e t&!s !n t&e no$!%e' If so4e of t&e %o44ents
&a$e been un!gn!f!e an fa%et!ous, !t 4a" %o4e fro4 bel!e$!ng too
8&ole5&eartel" t&at !f "ou 8!s& to sa" so4et&!ng !n eal" earnest, use
t&e %o4!% $e!n, an often $!%e $ersaM t&at !eas &a$e #re%eent o$er
for4, !n t&e f!rst !nstan%e at leastM an t&at t&e goo ne8s of su%& a su5
#erf!%!all" outrageous sub?e%t nees t&e &arle<u!n an t&e fool as !ts &er5
al'
91
SELECTE( /I/LIO=RAPHY
As&b", W' R' %esign for a Brain, C&a#4an U Hall, Lonon, *+:-'
As&b", W' R' F(es!gn for Intell!gen%e5A4#l!f!er,H !n Automata tudies,
e!te b" C' E' S&annon an A' M%Cart&"'
/ell, (' A' $ntelligent *achines, /la!sell, Ne8 Yor0, *+,-'
/la%0, R' FPer4afrost,H Annual Report of the mithsonian $nstitution,
*+:.'
=ol@$e!g, S' A' an Aure" S4!t&, +ournal of "hysiology 132,
6.,56*7, *+:,'
Harr!s, R' A' C' KE!torL, Biological Applications of (ree,ing and %rying,
A%ae4!% Press, Ne8 Yor0, *+:6'
Hensel, H' FHeat an Col,H Annual Revie! of "hysiology, *+:+'
Suastler, H' KE!torL, $nformation Theory in Biology, Cn!$ers!t" of Ill!5
no!s, *+:7'
S&err!ngton, C' S' *an on His -ature, An%&or, Ne8 Yor0, *+:7'
Slu%0!n, W' *inds and *achines, Pel!%an, *+:6, *+,.'
S4!t&, A' C' FResus%!tat!on of Ha4sters after Su#er5Cool!ng or Part!al
Cr"stall!@at!on at /o" Te4#eratures /elo8 . C,H -ature 173,
**7,5**79'
$on Neu4ann, A' The 'omputer and the Human Brain, Yale, *+:;'
Walter, W' =re"' The .iving Brain, Pengu!n /oo0s, *+:7, *+,*'
W!ener, N' The Human Use of Human Beings, An%&or, Ne8 Yor0, *+:6'
92
($'T$/-
As!4o$, I' $0 Robot, S!gnet, Ne8 Yor0, *+:., *+,*'
/rabur", R' FT&e Man C#sta!rs,H Harpers, Mar%& *+69'
Ca#e0, D' The *a)ropoulos ecret, Holen, Lonon, *+-9'
Ca#e0, D' R1 U1 R1, T&eatre =u!l E', (oublea", Ne8 Yor0, *+-:'
Cer$antes, M' %on 2ui3ote de la *ancha, Motteu2 tr', Rano4 House,
Ne8 Yor0, *+6*'
Ma!ne, C' E' He /!ned the 4orld, A$on, Ne8 Yor0, *+,.'
Pasterna0, /' %octor 5hivago, S!gnet, Ne8 Yor0, *+,.'
S!l$erberg, R' Recalled to .ife, Lan%er, Ne8 Yor0, *+:;, *+,-'
S8!ft, A' 6ulliver7s Travels, Moern L!brar", Ne8 Yor0, *+:.'
W"n&a4, A' Trouble !ith .ichen, /allant!ne, Ne8 Yor0, *+,.'
93
NOTES
95
(ore!arning and 'hapter 1
*' /re8ster =&!sel!n, The 'reative "rocess, ##' 7*, *+'
-' S!r Aa4es Fra@er, The 6olden Bough, ##' 7+;, :9'
7' Norbert W!ener, The Human Use of Human Beings, ##' +:, +,,
*.-, *.7, -,, *:9'
6' Was&!ngton "ost, No$' -,, *+,*, re#ort!ng t&e =eogra#&!% So5
%!et"'
:' Aure" S4!t&, !n Biological Applications of (ree,ing and %ry#
ing, e!te b" R' A' C' Harr!s, #' 69'
,' Annual Report of the mithsonian $nstitution, *+:., #' -+7,
Robert /la%0, FPer4afrost'H
9' Annual Revie! of "hysiology, Iol' -*, *+:+, FHeat an Col,H
#' *.:, Herbert Hensel' KE!tors: Hall, Fu&r4an, =!ese'L
'hapter 8
*' Annual Revie! of "hysiology, *+,*, #' **:'
-' cience -e!s .etter, Ma" **, *+:9, #' -+*'
7' Annual Revie! of "hysiology, *+:+, #' +*'
6' .ife, No$' -6, *+,*M Time, (e%' *, *+,*'
:' Ne8 Yor0 Times, O%t' -;, *+,*, -7:9'
,' A' L' On%le", E!tor, Biophysical cience, #' -;9'
9' Suote b" =ol@$e!g an S4!t&, +ournal of "hysiology, *+:,,
132, #' 6.,'
;' Ib!', ##' 6.,56*7'
+' Annual Revie! of "hysiology, *+:+, #' *.:'
*.' -ature, Aune *-, *+:6, #' **7,'
**' Annual Report of the mithsonian $nstitution, *+:., ##'
-675-:7' Also, Automatic 'ontrol, FA S%!ent!f!% A4er!%an
/oo0,H ##' *-75*7*'
96
*-' W!ener, N', The Human Use of Human Beings, ##' -,, :9,
*:9'
*7' Ib!', #' *.7'
*6' Ross As&b", F(es!gn for Intell!gen%e5A4#l!f!er,H !n Automata
tudies, #' -*,, e!te b" C' E' S&annon an A' M%Cart&"'
*:' Annual Report of the mithsonian $nstitution, *+:., #' -6*'
'hapter 9
*' Albert Ca4us, The tranger, ##' ::5:,, I!ntage, *+6-, *+:+'
-' Aonat&an S8!ft, 6ulliver7s Travels, #' -7+, Moern L!brar", *+:.'
7' Ib!', #' -6*'
6' Isaa% As!4o$, $0 Robot, #' *,;, S!gnet, *+:., *+,*'
:' C&arles Er!% Ma!ne, He /!ned the 4orld, #' -*, A$on, *+,.'
,' Harpers, FT&e Man C#sta!rs,H Mar%& *+69'
9' /or!s Pasterna0, %octor 5hivago, #' *7, S!gnet, *+,.'
'hapter 5
*' Loren E!sele", FT&e Long Lonel!ness,H American cholar,
W!nter, *+,.5,*'
-' Re#orte !n t&e Was&!ngton "ost, Ma" -;, *+,*'
7' Albert Ca4us, FNe!t&er I!%t!4s Nor E2e%ut!oners,H #' ,,
re#r!nte fro4 t&e Februar" *+,. !ssue of .iberation' F!rst
a##eare !n t&e Fall of *+6,, !n 'ombat'
'hapter :
*' S!r Aa4es Fra@er, The 6olden Bough, #' 9*-'
-' Albert Ca4us, The Rebel, #' -;*'
7' Norbert W!ener, The Human Use of Human Beings, ##' *.:ff'
97
6' C'P' Sno8, The T!o 'ultures and the cientific Revolution, #' 66'
:' (a$! Fr!s%&, T&e Ne8 Yor0 Times, Aug' *7, *+,*, #' *. E'
98
/I/LIO=RAPHY
T&!s !s a $er" general b!bl!ogra#&" suggeste b" -.t& Centur"
/oo0s' It !s o#en5ene, an non5f!nal, 8e s&oul l!0e to re#eatel"
stress' T&e %on%ern !s to lo%ate, to rea, an to !s%uss t&e 4ost !4#or5
tant, 4ost !nfluent!al, 4ost s!gn!f!%ant boo0s !n ea%& s!gn!f!%ant area of
stu" !n t&!s %entur"' T&e" 4a" %o4e fro4 an" #la%e on t&e #lanet' One
oesn>t %are 8&ere t&e" %a4e fro4, 8&o 8rote t&e4, or 8&at t&e" be5
l!e$e' T&e %on%ern !s 8&et&er or not t&e" &a$e &a, or 8!ll &a$e, an !45
#a%t an #r!4e !nfluen%e !n t&at f!el of 0no8lege or a%t!onM !n s&ort,
t&e boo0s t&at a #erson 8oul &a$e &a to rea !n orer to be 8ell eu5
%ate !n t&e t&oug&t of t&!s %entur"'
SI=NIFICANT /OODS OF THE -.TH CENTCRY
A $er" tentat!$e l!st as of *+,*
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
Astrono4" Ho"le Front!ers of Astrono5
4"
Mentor *+:: Englan
Ant&ro#olog" Fra@er T&e =olen /oug& Ma%4!l' *+-- Englan
Autob!ogra5
#&"
Ne&ru To8ar Freeo4 /ea%on *+79 In!a
Autob!ogra5
#&"
=an&! E2#er!4ents W!t&
Trut&
/ea%on *+-+ In!a
/!o%&e4!str" O#ar!n Or!g!n of L!fe (o$er *+-9 CSSR
/!olog" S&err!ngton Man on H!s Nature An%&or *+6. Englan
C&e4!str" Cur!e Ra!oa%t!$e Sub5
stan%es
W!so4 *+*- Fran%e
C&e4!str" Paul!ng T&e Nature of t&e
C&e4!%al /on
Cornell *+7+ CSA
C"bernet!%s W!ener T&e Hu4an Cse of
Hu4an /e!ngs
An%&or *+:. CSA
(ra4a S&a8 Anro%les an t&e
L!on
Pengu!n *+*7 /r!ta!n
E%ono4!%s De"nes T&e =eneral T&eor"
of E4#lo"4ent
Har%ourt *+7, Englan
Eu%at!on (e8e" E2#er!en%e an Na5
ture
/ea%on *+-: CSA
=eo#ol!t!%s Ma%0!ner T&e =eogra#&!%al
P!$ot of H!stor"
Murra" *+.6 Englan
H!stor" To"nbee A Stu" of H!stor" O2for *+:: Englan
99
H!stor" Wells Outl!ne of H!stor" =aren *+-. Englan
L!terature Ao"%e Cl"sses Moern *+-- Irelan
Mat&e4at!%s Russell Pr!n%!#les of Mat&e5
4at!%s
Norton *+.7 Englan
P&!loso#&" Aa4es Prag4at!s4 Hafner *+.9 CSA
P&!loso#&" Sartre E2!stent!al!s4 W!so4 *+6, Fran%e
Poetr" El!ot T&e Waste Lan Har$est *+-- CSA
Pol' U =o$t' Len!n I4#er!al!s4 Inter' *+*9 CSSR
Pol' U =o$t' Mao Sele%te Wor0s Inter' *+6: C&!na
Pol' U =o$t' Sun Yat5
Sen
T&ree Peo#les Pr!n%!5
#les
n'!'#' *+-9 C&!na
Pol' U =o$t' H!tler Me!n Da4#f Hougtn' *+-9 =er4an"
P&"s!%s E!nste!n Relat!$!t": T&e S#e5
%!al U =eneral T&eo5
r"
Cro8n *+*, =er4an"
P&"s!olog" Pa$lo$ Con!t!one Refle2es (o$er *+-, CSSR
Ps"%&olog" Freu Inter#retat!on of
(rea4s
Mo'
L!b'
*+.. Austr!a
Rel!g!on5
P&!los'
I<bal T&e Re%onstru%t!on
of Rel!g!ous T&oug&t
!n Isla4
As&raf *+76 Pa0!stan
So%!olog" Weber T&e Protestant Et&!%
U T&e S#!r!t of Ca#!5
tal!s4
S%r!bners *+-. =er4an"
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
S!n%e t&!s !s su%& a restr!%t!$e b!bl!ogra#&" a!t!onal b!bl!ogra#&!es
4a" be obta!ne b" 8r!t!ng to -.t& C' /oo0s' A!t!onall" t&ose 8&o
8oul l!0e to for4 !s%uss!on grou#s base on s!gn!f!%ant l!terature of
t&!s %entur" are 8el%o4e to a! an !nfor4at!on' Wr!te: -.t& C' /oo0s,
*:.. Har$ar NW, Was&!ngton, ('C'
100
RESCEST FOR YOCR OPINION
Per&a#s "ou 8!ll e2%use anot&er re4!ner, !n %ase !t &asn>t been
%lear !n t&e te2t, t&at t&!s boo0 4erel" atte4#ts to #resent a &"#ot&es!s
for !s%uss!on' M" 8!s& !s to e2#l!%!tl" !s%la!4 an" f!nal!t" an a4!t
total fall!b!l!t" !f I &a$e been !na$ertentl" og4at!% t&roug& ent&us!as4'
All 4!sta0es are 4" o8n an I 8!s& to e4barrass no one !n or out of
-.t& C' /oo0s b" %!r%ulat!ng su%& a strange !ea' I a4, &o8e$er, !n t&e
!le44a of not 0no8!ng 8&et&er or not t&ere are an" !n$al!at!ng 4!s5
ta0es' I a4 e#enent on "ou for %r!t!%!s4' If t&e t&es!s !s !n$al! 8e
%an ro# t&e 8&ole t&!ng' Ho8e$er, !f t&e !ea !s $!able 8e 4a" be able
to !4#ro$e !t, 8!t& "our &el#, an lo%ate a #ubl!s&er 8&o 8!ll %!r%ulate !t
4ore e2tens!$el"'
T&e follo8!ng <uest!ons are not 4eant to %!r%u4s%r!be "our %r!t!%!s4'
T&e" are l!ste to st!4ulate "our o#!n!on an to rea%& for %entral #o!nts'
An" &onest %r!t!%!s4 !n an" for4 !s !nf!n!tel" #referable to s!len%e'
Fr!ens, es#e%!all", are l!0el" to soften t&e!r %r!t!%!s4 e!t&er fa%e to fa%e
or !n 8r!t!ng' Clt!4atel", &o8e$er, !t 8!ll be far 4ore &u4ane to t&e
8r!ter, an to #oss!ble future reaers, !f "ou 8!ll la" "our o#!n!ons on t&e
l!ne' S#ea0!ng !re%tl" sa$es loas of t!4e' It 8!ll be of %ons!erable a!
to us !f "ou 8!ll note "our %r!t!%!s4s belo8, tear out, an 4a!l to -.t& C'
/oo0s'
*' Sub?e%t: (oes !t &a$e oneE W&at !s !tE
-' Proble4: Is t&ere a #roble4E W&at !s !tE
7' T&es!s: W&at !s !tE
a' Is !t substant!ateE
b' (oes an"t&!ng !n$al!ate !tE
%' Ho8 %oul t&e substant!at!on be !4#ro$eE
' W&at !s 4!ss!ngE
e' Are t&ere an" fa%tual !na%%ura%!esE
f' Are an" o#erat!ons suggeste for test!ng t&e t&es!sE
g' W&at !s e2traneousE
&' W&at 0!ns of argu4ents oes t&e aut&or useE Are an" !n5
$al!E Are an" analog!es stret%&e too farE
101
!' (oes t&e 8r!ter ef!ne &!s ter4sE If t&e" are !nae<uate 8&at
!4#ro$e4ents 8oul "ou suggestE
6' W&at are t&e bas!% assu4#t!ons of t&!s 8or0E
:' (o an" $alue ?ug4ents get !n t&e 8a" of t&e 4a!n 4essageE
,' Organ!@at!on: Are t&e argu4ents an ata !n a #ro#er orerE As5
su4e !t 8!ll be re8r!tten' Ho8 8oul "ou go about !tE
9' Conse<uen%es: W&at %onse<uen%es o "ou see !f t&e t&es!s &a#5
#ens to be $al!E
;' Ho8 %oul t&e st"le be !4#ro$eE
+' Taste: Is #oor taste s&o8n !n %r!t!%!s4 of ot&er $!e8#o!ntsE
*.' Au!en%e: W&o o "ou t&!n0 t&e au!en%e !s or s&oul beE Has
t&e au!en%e been treate a##ro#r!atel"E
**' I!e8#o!nt: Has t&e aut&or been tra##e !n &!s o8n %ultural, ge5
ogra#&!%al, #ol!t!%al en$!ron4entE W&at s&oul be &!s $antage
#o!ntE
*-' OTHER CRITICISM: W&at &a$e 8e 4!sseE