X-Message-Number: 19795
From: 
Date: Tue, 13 Aug 2002 11:41:50 EDT
Subject: Skeptical Inquirer article by Steve Harris(!)

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In a message dated 8/13/02 5:00:52 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
 writes:


> Message #19781
> Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2002 07:49:50 -0700
> From: David Brandt-Erichsen <>
> Subject: Re: Skeptical Inquirer article on cryonics?
> 
> At 09:00 AM 8/12/02 +0000,  wrote:
> 
> >Message #19775
> >From: 
> >Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2002 01:04:19 EDT
> >Subject: Skeptical Inquirer article on cryonics? And "Harris Equation"
> >
> >I am a long term subscriber to both Free Inquiry and Skeptical Inquirer.
> >However, I have yet to see any evidence that these generally fine pubs 
> even
> >know of the existence of the cryonics "movement,"  much less like or 
> dislike
> >or hate us.  Is there a web reference to this article?
> 
> Free Inquiry 1989 Spring;9(2):19-24
> http://www.cryocare.org/humanist.html
> 
> >1.  Does SCICOP really have a "position" on cryonics?
> 
> No "position", but whenever cryonics has been mentioned in Skeptical 
> Inquirer it has been extremely negative.  There has never been a positive 
> or even neutral mention in the magazine.  It has only been mentioned in 
> passing (i.e. no articles) and I could not cite references, but I have a 
> complete set of the magazine and know of which I speak.
> 
> Best wishes,
> 
> David Brandt-Erichsen
> Secretary, Alcor Patient Care Trust
> Webmaster, www.L5news.org
> Webmaster, www.naturalarches.org
> Webmaster, www.hemlockarizona.org
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Rudi writing)

David... Thanks for the reference to the above article.  I read it.  Ironic 
in the extreme, it was written by...are you ready for this...Steve Harris.  
LOL!  

I did not find the article overly negative towards cryonics.  Even in his 
earlier iteration, Steve is/was an extremely bright and fair-minded author.

But it did point up some differences between "humanism" and "cryonics" in 
orientation.  Including humanism generally defined as a "socialist" endeavor, 
with people finding meaning in what they can do for the community.  (LP folks 
might use "collective.") 

This is in contrast to our rationally selfish desire to continue our 
individual lifespan indefinately.  Of course, many of us believe that a 
single mature and wisened (but not withered) mind can contribute to society 
in a much more significant way, and that individual human minds are *indeed* 
worth preserving.  

I still maintain that we should welcome skeptics and indeed "Skeptical 
Inquirer/Free Inquiry" as a resource pool of like minded prospects more 
likely to sign up for cryonics than your fundamentalist neighbors.

Regards,

Rudi

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