X-Message-Number: 20569 From: "aschwin de wolf" <> Subject: Considering Cryonics Mailinglist Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2002 12:41:40 -0500 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ConsideringCryonics/ Cryonics (also known as "biostasis") is the preservation of dead people (especially brain structure) at low temperatures in the hope that advances in science, medicine and technology will eventually make revival possible. To anyone unfamiliar with the history of science and technology, and to anyone unfamiliar with current research, at first sight, this sounds barking mad. Anyone who doesn't laugh at cryonics must be a crank, right? Or a gullible fool. Or a crypto-religious nutter. Or a sad loser who can't distinguish science fiction from reality. Or just plain weird. Not surprisingly, many individuals who secretly think it sounds interesting dare not express their interest for fear of attracting derision and social disapprobation. This fear tends to prevent people from finding out enough to judge whether the odds are that it will work. It also prevents people from make a decision to sign up, because as long as you are not signed up, you can keep your interest in cryonics in the closet. (As I discovered when I met a good friend of mine -- someone I have known for about 9 years -- at the last ALCOR Extreme Life Extension Conference, even those who are signed up can remain in the closet.) Cryonicists are not weirdos or cranks; they are people who are interested in science and technology and what will be possible in the future; they are, above all, people who love life. There should be no shame in that! This List deals with all the possible problems you might have if you are considering cryonics: technical, financial, emotional, social, philosophical, etc. Do not be afraid to ask very simple questions. If you want to discuss cryonics in technical depth, you can do that on the Cryonet List. This List is for those who have questions or problems in connection with considering signing up for biostasis, and for people who like the idea of biostasis but want to know more. Sarah Lawrence http://www.sarahlawrence.org/ Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=20569