X-Message-Number: 1420
From: 
Subject: CNICS Fellow Travelers
Date: Thu, 10 Dec 92 15:14:57 PST

To:  Cryonet
From:  Carlos Mondragon

     In the midst of the thread about environmentalists, Charles Platt 
wrote the following: 

>Brian is absolutely correct that the libertarian-objectivist-
>technophile constituency has been the most fertile place to 
>find cryo converts.  However, if cryonics is to find wider 
>acceptance, the lib-obj-tech fraternity isn't going to be 
>sufficient. I am therefore interested in finding new links 
>between cryonics and larger groups which are more socially 
>acceptable. 

     I think it is no accident or coincidence that over 80% of Alcor 
suspension members identify themselves as libertarians of one stripe or 
another.  And I suspect the the percentage is similar among the other 
organizations as well.  This is because a value system that truly values 
individual human lives, one's own in particular, is also very likely to 
value freedom.  Much credit is due to Rand for her succinct explanation of 
how these values relate (though I am not an Objectivist).  

     Hopefully, this correlation of life and freedom as primary values may 
well limit the growth of cryonics to libertarians.  (Did he say 
HOPEFULLY?).   Yes, HOPEFULLY.

     In the first place, there are at least two million people in the U.S. 
alone who are freedom-oriented in the libertarian sense.  If only *one 
percent* of these signed-up over the next 13 years, they alone would match 
Alcor's historical growth rate.  If we succeed in accelerating the growth 
rate, that just means getting them sooner, then going after the other 99%.

     As for non-libertarians, i. e. statists/collectivists, I'd rather 
that they go happily to their graves.  In fact, nothing would give me 
greater satisfaction than if they all dropped dead tomorrow!  These are 
the people who hold a gun to my head and steal a third of what I earn, 
thus effectively enslaving me 120 days out of the year.  These are the 
people who hold a gun to my head so they can tell me what I can and cannot 
ingest.  These are the people who hold a gun to my head so they can 
interfere in mutual and voluntary (economic and personal) interactions I 
wish to have with others.  No, I don't think I owe it to these people to 
"educate" them so they will stop pointing their guns at me.

     THESE ARE THE LAST PEOPLE ON EARTH I WANT TO BRING INTO THE FUTURE 
WITH ME!

     One very appealing aspect of cryonics has always been that "If you 
can't beat them, outlive them".  I hold on to the optimistic projection 
that the historical trend of greater wealth, technology, and freedom in the 
hands of individuals will continue.

     On the darker side, think about this: do you want your cryonics 
organization under the control of persons who, when they revive you, will 
have no hesitation about "curing" you of problems you don't think you 
have?  When Alcor had only 30 members or so, we often discussed that 
terrible possibility -- ironic that as growth has increased the risk, 
that's never mentioned any more.

CM

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