X-Message-Number: 30033
References: <>
From: David Stodolsky <>
Subject: Re: a bit more on fear of death
Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2007 22:07:49 +0100

On 18 Nov 2007, at 21:20,  wrote:

> Those who insist that unconscious or inherent fear of death is  
> universal  and
> inescapable are simply absurd and not paying attentiion.

You are the one not paying attention. The research on this is clear,  
there is a reflexive avoidance of death of the self.

>
> There certainly is a nearly universal "survival instinct" in a  
> restricted
> sense, viz., that when faced with imminent threat most people, most  
> of the time,
>  will try desperately to escape. Anybody will try to dodge a tiger  
> or a
> taxicab.  (There are "abnormal" exceptions even to this, as in the  
> "martyrdom" of
> zealots.)

These are not exceptions. Martyrs don't see that they will die, the  
see a transition to heaven, etc.

The problems you and others have had in 'selling' cryonics is a lack  
of understanding of the psychology of marketing. If you want to be  
effective, you have to aim at the right demographic, the middle aged,  
and 'sell' the right thing, typically *not* a suspension contract  
alone. Having missed the right demographic, the next best bet are  
relatives, who have not already made philosophical adjustments in  
facing death that rules out cryonics.

CI was smart enough to get a PhD cryo-biologist to work on biological  
problems. If it wants to see an improvement in marketing, it will get  
a social science PhD to deal with social issues. The question is not  
just one of marketing, but of survival, once cryonics becomes a  
political issue. This is not just a threat to potential patients,  
but  to all in suspension when the issue gets big. Religious fanatics  
have repeatedly killed doctors who perform medical procedures they  
don't approve of, they could also kill suspended patients and any  
staff that happen to be around, if they decide there are already 'too  
many people' on the planet - a current popular view -, or some other  
irrational idea pops into their heads. (Note that none of these  
assassins were ever labeled "terrorists" and you will get an idea of  
the likely government response to an attack.)


dss


David Stodolsky    Skype: davidstodolsky

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