X-Message-Number: 25286 Date: Sat, 11 Dec 2004 23:54:09 -0700 From: Mike Perry <> Subject: Why Choose Cryonics Richard takes issue with me for insisting on choosing cryonics given that I think death is not final and everyone will eventually return to consciousness. He also says, "I should think, you should kill yourself, and repeatedly kill yourself, until you find yourself instantiated in a suitable universe (one with potential for long life and happiness)." But suppose, taking this approach, I had to kill myself a billion times over to be so fortunate as to find myself reconstituted in a setting that permitted even one hour of reasonably painless existence? Or suppose (and I happen to think this is more likely) that in my first resurrection I am prevented from again committing suicide, and put under treatment so I can be cured of such inappropriate tendencies? In my book I go into these sorts of issues at length, and I can't repeat all the arguments here. But basically, while we can hope the infinite multiverse will provide for resurrections in some form for everyone (invoking the patternist view of course), probabilities and not just possibilities play a crucial role. I don't know how I can emphasize this point enough, even though at present there is very much we don't know about such things, that is to say, what to expect in the way of actual probabilities. Still, the likely scenarios I imagine for resurrecting people will involve benevolent advanced beings who will carry out such projects as a kind of labor of love. This does not mean, however, that the path will be smooth for everyone who is resurrected. How smooth it will be will depend, among other things, on the nature of the concept of benevolence that has developed among those in control, and what they in their considered judgment think is best for each case under consideration. They will be the Heaven-builders, their charges the Heaven-beneficiaries. Ultimately the beneficiaries will take their place among the builders, too, or so I think, though the path could be an arduous one for those not well-disposed from the beginning. Those of today who are well-disposed, on the other hand, should see the logic of choosing cryonics. The basic idea is to get in on the action as soon as possible and take one's place among the builders rather than being among the others for possibly an extended period of time. Choosing cryonics will surely further that aim, supposing it works, and there I am optimistic. (There are other pro-cryonics arguments too.) Best to all, Mike Perry Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=25286