X-Message-Number: 27182
Date: Sun, 9 Oct 2005 09:24:20 -0400
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: On words,for J Sparks

For Jordan Sparks:

Cryonic suspension is not only historically founded, but also says what
it means. Cryopreservation is a nice synonym, and I have no reason to
complain of someone who wants to use it instead --- unless that person
decides to decree to me that no other term is satisfactory.

To do that among ourselves is silly. In some cases, when speaking to
those who are not cryonicists, particularly cryobiologists, it may be
wise to use "cryopreservation". I will point out that when we use it
for a human patient we are implying that someday we may well be able
to revive that person. Funny: that's what we mean when we say "cryonic
suspension", too.

Moreover, to get involved in arguments about just which words to use
to tell of what we're working on looks very petty. We might better put
that effort into supporting research itself, and let history go and
work out just which names we should call our work (I myself would not
be at all surprised to wake up and find it called "cryonic suspension").

               Best wishes and long long life for all,

                   Thomas Donaldson

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=27182