X-Message-Number: 16996
Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2001 09:52:44 -0400
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: CryoNet #16990 - #16995

Hi again!

I agree with Bob Ettinger that we should think of ourselves and others 
as basically selfish, though anyone who looks into biology and natural
selection will note that "selfishness" here has a multiplicity of 
meanings depending on the situation.

As for whether or not future people will revive us, the question is
being asked much too abstractly. We will be revived because we are
in suspension and means have been found to revive us. We will be in
suspension and cared for by others who ALSO expect to someday end
up in suspension... even if in their day suspension takes a quite
different technical form. It is by caring for and reviving those
in suspension (who can now be revived) that we protect our own 
hopes for suspension and revival. And yes, we'll be revived by a
descendant of a cryonics society, NOT by society in general.

The idea that suspension (of some kind) will be needed into the
indefinite future is NOT a side issue. It is essential to the entire
idea. Think about it from the standpoint of the cryonics society
which revives you: by doing so it proves that revivals can happen,
and so emphasizes the idea that if you join it (or other such 
societies) they will someday be able to revive you also, EVEN IF
AT THAT TIME NO WAY TO DO SO WILL EXIST. In return, you will remain
a member and perhaps someday revive some of those who revived you.

If you really want immortality then you'll find such a society quite
necessary. Yes, we can find ways someday to abolish aging, but 
all the other things that can happen to you, now or in the indefinite
future, will remain out there waiting to bring you down. After only
a little time, those ways won't be anything we can now specify, but
they'll still exist... and give you something to think about at
that time. There is no single measure which will make us all 
immortal without the need for further self-defense. And it is that
need that will keep cryonics societies existing... and help us to
live far longer than simply abolishing aging could ever do.

		Best wishes and long long life to all,

			Thomas Donaldson

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