X-Message-Number: 23447 From: "Graham Hipkiss" <> References: <> Subject: Re: CryoNet #23441 - #23445 Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2004 22:43:57 -0000 > Message #23441 > From: "John de Rivaz" <> > References: <> <> > Subject: Why so few > Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 11:53:05 -0000 > > One of the problems with cryonics is the slow uptake of new members. > > This is surprising because humans go to enormous lengths to prolong the > lifespans of individuals. Healthcare forms a large part of most nations' > expenditure. On a purely logical basis, it would only be worthwhile to > preserve an elite of the most educated and useful people, but any country > which did this would soon become a pariah nation. > > People sick with incurable diseases are willing to spend lots of money to be > cut burned or poisoned in what is often a futile attempt to ward off the > disease. Yet they are not willing to be cryopreserved on (legally defined) > "death" so that there is a chance (however small) that future doctors and > surgeons can apply an effective and permanent cure to not only their disease > but also ageing itself and any other underlying deficiency in the body what > gave rise to it in the first place. > > There may be several reasons for the reluctance of people to get interested > in cryonics as a means of a "last ditch" attempt to preserve life.. Most > people cite "the cost" but really you can't take it with you when you die, > so as long as the cost of making provisions for cryopreservation is not a > major part of your expenditure then "the cost" is not an issue. > > Another reason may be the arrogant remarks between some people who have > already signed up, or some people who have not signed up but have sufficient > interest to post articles to cryonics mailing lists or newsgroups. "My > cryonics provider is better than yours" is a frequent argument to be seen. > It is just the same as "my car is better than yours" -- yet most makes get > you form A to B within the legal speed limits. "My computer is better than > yours" or even "my operating system is better than yours" are all arguments > that appear on mailing lists and newsgroups. It is human nature. > > However cryonics itself requires a major shift from conventional modes of > thought and behaviour, so it is hardly surprising that many people new to it > see all this nit picking and think "on no, not again" and move onto to > something else. I agree with John that it seems so illogical that people appear to be against death, but not for cryonics. I don't agree that it may have something to do with any disagreements expressed by members within cryonics publications. In my opinion it's all a matter of timing. The vast majoriy of people live from day to day and 90% of their thinking is concerned with the days work and evenings entertainment. Another 6 or 7% on the coming days and weeks ahead. Another 2% on the months ahead sufficient to arrange holidays etc. Whatever's left maybe on future house move, family extension or possibly even a pension. When we talk to people about making provision for something that we hope may come about in a hundred years or more, is, I believe, when all but a tiny few switch off their interest. I always thought that cryonicists were people who had a far greater than average fear of non-existence for the rest of eternity, but maybe, cryonicists are people who have a far greater than average realisation of time. Graham Hipkiss --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.577 / Virus Database: 366 - Release Date: 03/02/04 Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=23447