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MIT severs ties to company promoting fatal brain uploading

technologyreview.com

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Re: MIT severs ties to company promoting fatal brain uploading

#11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How does it do that? Do browsers set a flag? That seems like a privacy hole.

There are certain browser APIs disabled in the browser in incognito mode that can be detected. How else would you implement incognito mode?

That's interesting. Why are the storage APIs disabled, instead of just using ephemeral storage that goes away when the window is cleared?

Re: MIT severs ties to company promoting fatal brain uploading

#12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How does it do that? Do browsers set a flag? That seems like a privacy hole.

There are certain browser APIs disabled in the browser in incognito mode that can be detected. How else would you implement incognito mode?

By sandboxing, e.g. localStorage fully functional but deleted at the end of the session...

Re: MIT severs ties to company promoting fatal brain uploading

#13

First time seeing a website checking for private mode: > Hello, > We noticed you're browsing in private or incognito mode. > To continue reading this article, please exit incognito mode or log in. > Why we made this change > Visitors are allowed 3 free articles per month (without a subscription), and private browsing prevents us from counting how many stories you've read. > We hope you understand, and consider subscr…

I was able to see the article in private mode on Firefox 59.0.2 with uBlock Origin (enabled and disabled).

Re: MIT severs ties to company promoting fatal brain uploading

#15
post #5

For those who are unfamiliar with the general concept, there are several organizations that will be happy to take large sums of money from you, for a scientifically sketchy claim at resurrection at some future unknown date. https://www.google.ca/search?q=alcor+cryonics&oq=alcor+cryon...

What specific claims does, e.g. Alcor, make that are scientifically sketchy? Just the implication that resurrection might be possible sometime in the future?

Re: MIT severs ties to company promoting fatal brain uploading

#17
post #5

For those who are unfamiliar with the general concept, there are several organizations that will be happy to take large sums of money from you, for a scientifically sketchy claim at resurrection at some future unknown date. https://www.google.ca/search?q=alcor+cryonics&oq=alcor+cryon...

The cryonics claim is that they will freeze you and attempt to maintain you in that state indefinitely.

Resurrection is a hope, but never a claim.

Re: MIT severs ties to company promoting fatal brain uploading

#18
post #5

For those who are unfamiliar with the general concept, there are several organizations that will be happy to take large sums of money from you, for a scientifically sketchy claim at resurrection at some future unknown date. https://www.google.ca/search?q=alcor+cryonics&oq=alcor+cryon...

What specific claims does, e.g. Alcor, make that are scientifically sketchy? Just the implication that resurrection might be possible sometime in the future?

Resurrection, while not impossible, is sufficiently unlikely that taking people's money while promising it-- even with a disclaimer that it is not guaranteed-- seems exploitative, akin to people promising homeopathic cancer remedies. It is preying on people's fear of death.

Re: MIT severs ties to company promoting fatal brain uploading

#19

MITs statement seems to position themselves to not be at risk if the startup goes south. They seem to think that with current technology it is unclear if the upload is feasible. Also, it would be interesting for someone to comment on how this embalming process is done? From what I know from cryogenic freezing or preservation is that it is a good idea that it could be "scanned" back in but most likely the information…

> ... if the startup goes south

The startup is a snake oil scam. It is by definition "south." It is not "unclear if the upload is feasible." It is simply NOT feasible.

Re: MIT severs ties to company promoting fatal brain uploading

#20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What specific claims does, e.g. Alcor, make that are scientifically sketchy? Just the implication that resurrection might be possible sometime in the future?

Resurrection, while not impossible , is sufficiently unlikely that taking people's money while promising it-- even with a disclaimer that it is not guaranteed-- seems exploitative, akin to people promising homeopathic cancer remedies. It is preying on people's fear of death.

No cryonics organization promises it.
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