X-Message-Number: 12427
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: new word 
Date: Thu, 16 Sep 1999 23:11:15 +1000 (EST)

Hi everyone!

This note isn't in response to any particular issue of Cryonet, but still
I am sending it.

Recently several new & different words for the state of being in cryonic
suspension have been proposed. Finding words for such a state has been
something many cryonicists have done, beginning with the word "deanimated"
(I believe that was the first, though those who have been involved with
cryonics for longer than I may have another ... which I'd like to learn
of, if only for historical reasons).

Fundamentally it's not at all obvious what renaming cryonic suspension
will do for us. For that matter, it's no more obvious what renaming the
state of being READY for cryonic suspension (ie. right now, having been
just declared "dead") will do for us. We don't think those we suspend are 
clearly or obviously dead, OK? And it takes very little notice of other
people to know that all those other people, including most doctors,
disagree with us. Their disagreement doesn't seem to me to be just about 
words. 

And it seems to me that the best method of dealing with such a lack of
understanding is not to make up new words but instead to be plain about
our own beliefs. Tell all those others that they are WRONG, and explain
why you think so. "We think they may not be dead" seems the simplest
way of putting it. And anyone who doesn't ask why has either dealt with
cryonicists before or totally lacks interest in the beliefs of others.

			Best and long long life for all,

				Thomas Donaldson

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