X-Message-Number: 3020
Date:  Tue, 23 Aug 94 20:34:57 
From: Steve Bridge <>
Subject: CRYONICS and libertarianism


To CryoNet
>From Steve Bridge, Alcor
August 23, 1994

In response to Message: #3015 - Libertarians
               From:  (Charles Platt)
               Date: Mon, 22 Aug 94 21:29:31 EDT

(And the other messages going on about libertarianism and cryonics)
     

>I find it odd that in the discussion of libertarianism and cryonics, no
>one seems to have mentioned that the Alcor Foundation's current CEO is a
>NON-libertarian (at least, he was last time I checked). So, we have one 
>group at least where a bleeding-heart liberal still holds some influence.

     And I find it a bit amusing that people care so much about the 
political leanings of cryonics leaders.  Personally, while brought up as a 
liberal Democrat, I would have to say that the "bleeding heart" part was 
dropped several years ago.  And I'm not even particularly a liberal these 
days.  I'm certainly not a Republican either (calling either party anti-
big-government is pretty silly these days).  And while I empathize with 
many libertarian ideals and believe strongly in freedom, I find such a 
huge variance in people who call themselves "libertarians" that I would 
hesitate to define myself that way either.  

     As CEO of Alcor, I try to do what is practical in the climate of the 
times.  I would not argue politics nor defend a political position at the 
risk of the patients or of the organization.  If this makes me 
philosophically and politically soft, I'll accept that (if it keeps the 
patients "hard".)  And we'll freeze you if you are socialist, communist, 
anarchist, or fascist -- or all of the above.

>I also find it odd that libertarians seem to think they are the only ones
>who are genuinely "free." Maybe by the libertarian definition of that
>word, libertarians are the only ones who qualify. But in my experience,
>many different people of various political persuasions would all claim to
>be in favor of "freedom." It's irrelevant to debate who is really the
>freest. All that matters is for a person to THINK that (s)he is in favor
>of the general concept of freedom. This would predispose that person
>toward cryonics. 

>...
>On the other hand, selfishness is definitely not the only reason to be 
>interested in cryonics. Sheer naked FEAR could be a motivating factor!

     I agree with Charles's points here.  I must admit to having been 
slightly (only slightly) annoyed at the long posting on political 
candidates that started this discussion string.  The assumption that 
CryoNet was a proper forum for this kind of political announcement seemed 
incorrect.  But some of the discussion it engendered is good for us.  We 
need to know what kinds of folks these cryonicists are, so we can find 
more of them.

Steve Bridge, writing for myself.  Alcor has no official political 
position.

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=3020