Comp and the capsule theory of memory (and "Memento") suggest that a
"person" is a series of person-moments, each of which is considered to last
somewhere around 1/10th of a second (it could be longer or shorter and the
idea would still hold) and assumed be the same person due to being linked
by memories. Generally this is considered to be because of physical
continuity, but comp-style thought experiments, at least, can deconstruct
that idea. The question is whether physical continuity has some bearing on
identity, or is just incidental (i.e. nature hasn't found any other way to
do it). The usual argument against the importance of physical continuity is
that we replace our cells - even our brain cells, apparently - every few
hours/days/years/whatever. And more specifically, the atoms involved in a
thought might go on to do something else - take part in a different
thought, form a memory, pay a visit to the big toe... they're constantly
being moved around, even without being lost from the system.

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