X-Message-Number: 27725
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 13:37:50 -0500
From: Randolfe Wicker <>
Subject: Ben Best's survey.

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Ben Best should not feel defensive about his survey.  It might have been "his" 
survey but I know that I learned several interesting things from it.


For instance, he asked a few questions I really couldn't answer with certainty.


One was: "What do you think is the maximum time a clinically dead (no heartbeat)
person could go without cooling or cardiopulmonary support after which cryonics
is useless?"


I chose "5 hours" from the list of suggested time frames.  I was actually a bit 
surprised to see that "5 hours" and the lesser time frames were selected by a 
majority of respondents.


This indicates to me that emphasizing the ability to commence cryo-suspension 
quickly is an important facet to selling people on the idea.


I haven't made any official arrangements at this time.  I'm 68 years old.  
Insurance isn't really an option and monies spent would deplete the quality of 
my life in retirement.  However, if I were to learn tomorrow I had a terminal 
illness and only a few months/years to live, I'd move to Oregon and make 
arrangements such that I could perfectly time my own death/suspension.


There were many other questions which showed the parameters of beliefs held by 
those who favor cryonics.


For instance, the fact that most cryonicists are either atheist or agnostic 
shows that targeted recruitment in those communities would be a wise way to go.


The fact that people might argue over semantics like the meaning of the word 
"immortality" should not be any cause for concern.  Technically, to be 
"immortal" means to live forever.


I consider myself an Immortalist and am a member and advisor at The Immortality 
Institute.  However, I believe "true immortality" is impossible simply because 
using the statistics of accidental death today indicates that our average 
lifespan after conquering disease and aging would only be 635 years.


Given our short life spans at this time, even a mere 635 or more years would 
seem like "immortality" to me.
Randolfe (Randy) Wicker

Videographer, Writer, Activist
Advisor: The Immortality Institute
http://www.blip.tv/posts/?user=Randolfe%20Wicker
Hoboken, NJ
http://www.randywickerreporting.blogspot.com/
201-656-3280



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