X-Message-Number: 22337 Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2003 19:17:01 -0700 (PDT) From: Michael Hartl <> Subject: NY Times editorial Hello all, Nicholas Kristof recently wrote a New York Times Op-Ed piece (http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/08/12/nyt.kristof/index.html) addressing the prospect of immortality through biotechnology. While he seemed generally sympathetic to the cause of life extension, he ended on a strange and somber note, citing "the wisdom of Odysseus, who was offered immortality by a luscious goddess, Calypso, but turned her down to grow old and die with his wife, Penelope." (Those who read the article will undoubtedly notice the many other errors and fallacies as well.) I wrote the following letter to the editor in response, which may be of some interest to readers of this list: ----- In his recent Op-Ed column "Where is thy sting?" (Aug. 12), Nicholas Kristof cites a possible argument against using biotechnology to increase human lifespan: the "wisdom of Odysseus," i.e., Odysseus's refusal of Calypso's offer of immortality so that he could die with his wife Penelope. Alas, this "wisdom" is based on a false analogy, for the Calypso of biotechnology offers immortality not only to Odysseus, but to Penelope as well. The hope of life extensionists is not to become unfortunate immortals who watch their loved ones age and die, but rather for us all -- husbands, wives, family, friends, Op-Ed columnists -- to live together in a state of perpetual health. To turn down that offer seems unwise indeed. Sincerely, Michael D. Hartl, Ph.D. ----- ===== Michael Hartl http://www.michaelhartl.com/ __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=22337