X-Message-Number: 17086 From: "john grigg" <> Subject: the nature of self-worth regarding cryonics Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 21:41:30 George Smith says: >There is no need for justifying your existence nor assigning yourself >some >kind of "worth". I agree. I feel to be a sentient being is more then enough reason to feel justified in one's existance. I do also feel that a person does need to have respect for others(not murdering, raping, robbing, or torturing them) as a basic component of worth. And also, trying to develop one's personal potential, along with helping other's where it is possible, adds to one's value. But, I feel the "added value" of gaining an education, developing talents and a career, are the house built over the "foundation." Worth should be unconditional and simply come from being. Mike Perry replied: But if you have no worth, why bother with something like cryonics or trying to live forever? Even simple self-preservation can be called into question. And it does seem that a lot of people reject cryonics for the very reason that they consider themselves unworthy of "coming back." As one such person somewhat humorously stated it, "my brains aren't worth freezing." How do you answer an objection like that, without invoking some concept of the value or worth of the person in question? (end) I would think it takes a certain basic level of self-esteem to embrace cryonics when society, family and friends may condemn one for doing so! Signing up for cryonics is a lot more forward thinking and extreme then let's say jumping out of the way of a oncoming bus! I think many people see themselves as unworthy of "coming back" with the "my brains aren't worth freezing" comment because they consider their intellect and talents to not be up to the task of successfully dealing with life after reanimation. And they can't imagine the "improved" people and machines of the future as having compassion in regards to helping and even upgrading them so they can be happy and productive. We need to let this person know that if they look back over time the compassion and charity of society has greatly increased. And with vastly superior technologies the people of the future will have both the desire AND power to reach out and get people to the level where they can thrive in a new world. This person needs to know that as a "living historical artifact" he/she will have great value to them and NOT be a social outcast or an animal in a zoo. best wishes, John _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=17086