X-Message-Number: 23121
From: "John de Rivaz" <>
References: <>
Subject: Re: Message #23083 Boo  Hoo
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 09:46:44 -0000

I am a bit behind with reading cryonet as a result of having had flu, but I
hope it is not too late to comment on David Pizer's brush with a US law
which prosecutes victims. If anyone else reads this message and cannot
recall the original, then it can be found on http://www.cryonet.org Message
#23083

I feel that the difficulty with "the law" is not just a problem for cryonics
societies, but for everyone. As long as there are people who have forgotten
the lessons of the 1930s and are quite happy to obey arbitrary orders, none
of us are safe. If someone suggested that courts were administered entirely
by computers, then there would be an outcry. But in reality, it seems that
this is exactly what happened here, with people rather than integrated
circuits being the operating elements of the "computer".

It is easy to oppose this sort of thing if it can be related to a figure of
hate, such as Saddam Hussein. But if it is being done with no particular
label, then it passes undetected. You cannot say <the official> is a
<Baathist> or whatever the current disgust of the month is.

Unfortunately also, there are lots of people who derive satisfaction from
hurting other people, and there are plenty of professions where they can not
only get away with this but get paid for it. It is only inadequate people
who do not have the ability and perseverance to join a profession who resort
to activities such as rape and so on. There are endless examples in history
of
administrations where this sort of person predominates. I am sure that I
don't need to
list them. In extreme cases, there are so many of them at the top that
people like Hussein can remain as Leader for decades. If he comes to trial,
we may even find that people in authority in other countries get implicated
in his crimes. This was certainly suggested by one commentator soon after he
was captured.

I would suspect that if any of us are ever revived from cryopreservation,
then this problem with authority will have been solved in any future where
this could
happen. It will be one of the most interesting things to learn as to what
the solution is.

-----

In comment to the matter of individuals owning weapons of mass destruction,
I would suggest that a car (automobile) is quite a good one if used on a
street
full of pedestrians.

I would also comment on legalism again: it is illegal to drive a car when
drunk, but perfectly legal if you suffer from flu or other diseases (which
can also impair
reaction time and judgement). Medical staff in the employment of the
government actually tried to encourage me to do that. I had more sense and
respect for the lives of other road users, but did not make myself popular
as a result.

-- 
Sincerely, John de Rivaz:  http://John.deRivaz.com for websites including
Cryonics Europe, Longevity Report, The Venturists, Porthtowan, Alec Harley
Reeves - inventor, Arthur Bowker - potter, de Rivaz genealogy,  Nomad .. and
more

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