X-Message-Number: 18150 Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2001 22:05:28 -0700 From: Mike Perry <> Subject: Cryonics Signups and "Number 1," Terrorism Prevention Keith Henson, #18139: >evolution has shaped the psychology of what >leads to feelings of "long term satisfaction." If these seem at odds with >a rational analysis, chances are it is the genes who stand to profit and a >rational analysis of raw survival would make sense *from the gene's >viewpoint.* It occurs to me that this could be an explanation of why so few are attracted to cryonics. Their survival mechanism is geared to their genes rather than themselves. In a limited setting the two interests are largely shared, thus, for instance, people avoid immediate threats to their life. Cryonics, though, is more long-term, and it seems reasonable that it would have little appeal to a mindset geared to keeping one's genes in circulation. (True, by being frozen you are, in fact, perpetuating your genes, but the mental apparatus is not well-adapted to appreciate this in most people, or so it seems.) >...in the long term understanding and being able to do >something about the infectious madness which lies behind cults such as ben >Ladin's may be more important. > >I have a draft article for paper publication on this subject. If Cryonet >readers are willing to comment on it, I can send you a copy. Let me know >if you want it in Word or text. Prevention of terrorism--warding it off beforehand--is certainly better than having to worry about a "cure" when the disease makes its ugly appearance. I'm willing to look at your paper; thanks for doing it. (Word would be convenient.) Mike Perry Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=18150