Not Stuff that Abides

but patterns that perpetuate ourselves. Ever consider that ultimately, we are only software. The mind controls everything. And, the state of mind is akin to a program in a certain state. Now, in the future, looks will count for little since cosmetics will advanced to the state that anyone can look like anything they want and they won't feel bad about artificial body parts because those parts will be practically real. When that point is reached, and man is, for all practical purposes immortal, and man accepts to live with an artificial brain, then teleportation will be real - why, because you can transmit your state of mind electronically to a distant location and have it downloaded into an identical body - you reappear in another place. Of course, there should be laws to prevent replication of the mind - strict controls I'd think - otherwise people would be able to raise armies of like-minded citizens.