From what I remember, it just recorded brain waves, thoughts, memories, etc. Sure you can plug those into a new sleeve and have it walk around talking like you, with all your memories, but how is it really "you?" I know that brings up concepts like sense of self, soul, etc, but honestly, I don't remember the book even trying to explain that. No matter what their beliefs, who in their right mind would think that a machine that captured their thoughts could enable them to exist in another body?

Anyway, maybe I'm remembering wrong or didn't read closely enough. And I'll admit this is something of a threadjack. Sorry.