X-Message-Number: 24856 Date: Mon, 18 Oct 2004 08:33:50 -0700 Subject: Re: Exploring Options... From: Kennita Watson <> On Monday, Oct 18, 2004, at 02:00 US/Pacific, CryoNet wrote: > From: (John Krug) > Date: Sun, 17 Oct 2004 10:18:05 -0700 > Subject: #24834 Exploring Options... > > Hi: Submitted for your consideration, Mr. Perry discussed lower cost > options as alternatives to cryonics. A little while ago on cryonet. I > referred to an article on hibernation for astronauts taking long term > space trips. ... I like the benign nature > and the lack of "yuck" factor of the idea. I also think this would be > appropriate as something to be done before the "last resort" of > cryonics > is required.... <amusement> Lower cost? Um, I thought Mike was referring to now, not after we lower the cost of lifting mass to orbit by a factor of ten. Not to mention the getting people up to a high enough percent of the speed of light that they don't deteriorate before aging is cured. I'll leave the debate on whether we will cure aging before we do light-speed round-trips to space for another time. There's also the factor that space travel is (currently) not at all safe, and thus not a very good alternative to cryonics for someone intending to live a long time. Then again, I don't think any of the lower cost alternatives are likely to be safe. Cryonics is currently an end-of-life alternative. People currently undergo extensive medical testing before they are allowed to go to space. The stresses of takeoff are likely to kill many people who are already ailing. The space elevator and light sails may help, but again, it will be a while. I actually want to know what I could do if my mom died tomorrow. Which points out that alternatives with significantly lower cost in time/paperwork as can be considered, as well as those with lower cost in dollars. Just grist for the mill. Live long and prosper, Kennita -- Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; none but ourselves can free our minds. -- Bob Marley, "Redemption Song" Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=24856