X-Message-Number: 3013
Date: 20 Aug 94 21:48:28 EDT
From: Carlos Mondragon <>
Subject: CRYONICS  Libertarianism


Re Message: #3003, RONALD SELKOVITCH:

>Perhaps Cryonics would be better served if there wasn't the strong
>implication that to be a Cryonicist one must also be a Libertarian (and
>probably a member of the NRA as well)

You may be right about cryonics being better served, but I think it's the
other way around.  That is, persons with a high regard for the value of the
individual and personal freedom are more apt to put a high priority on the
value of their *own* lives and thus be more likely to think cryonics a 
reasonable endeavor.  Conversely, predominant collectivist thinking is more
likely to perceive cryonics as a "waste of societal resources".

>Has anyone considered that it may be the Libertarian mind set that makes it
>so difficult to organize Cryonic Societies successfully.

It certainly accounts for a preponderance of quarrelsome personalities (it's
hard to remain affable when one lives in a world largely populated by people
who think they have a collective right to rule one's life).  But experience
does not support your thesis:  The Alcor Foundation was founded and has been 
managed with a "libertarian mindset", and has survived and prospered for 
over 22 years.

>With no intention to offend anyone

Hardly an offensive post.  More useful would be a strategy for how to market 
the highly selfish idea of cryonics to non-libertarians. 

C. Mondragon

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