X-Message-Number: 32262 From: David Stodolsky <> Subject: Re: Rebranding cryonics Date: Mon, 28 Dec 2009 09:59:09 +0100 References: <> On 27 Dec 2009, at 11:00 AM, CryoNet wrote: > The paleofuture literature tends to treat cryonics as a product of > bad futurology from the mid 20th Century. How do we rebrand cryonics > so that people begin to associate it with the world of iPhones and > Kindles instead of the world of flying cars and jetpacks? Transhumanism is already rebranding (actually repackaging) cryonics by including it a sequence of developments. Some of these are available already. The WTA also organizes local groups, etc. so there are ongoing activities. The results for cryonics are positive. (Partridge, B., Underwood, M., Lucke, J., Bartlett, H., Hall, W.D. 2009a. Ethical concerns in the community about technologies to extend human life span. American Journal of Bioethics; 9:68-76.): They noted (2009a; 70) "The views of the theoretically sampled transhumanist and Christian focus groups reflected in sharp relief the pro and con arguments for life-extension." They comment further (p. 72): Participants for whom religious doctrines and "the church” were important sources of ethical guidance were more likely to express in- principle opposition to life-extension research than people who reported having no religious beliefs. Participants who identified themselves as religious often expressed the view that life-extension was contrary to some aspects of these religious beliefs .. The major risk of Transhumanism is that people adopt it as a type of religion. That is, feel that just believing will solve the problems of life-extension. This is not only a risk, since there are plenty of people who act on these types of views. The result can be doing nothing and just assuming the coming 'singularity' will solve all problems. Another is taking vitamins or other unverified treatments and assuming that anti-aging drugs, new organs, etc. will become available in time for them to avoid suspension. So, the real question is which of the already available methods of repackaging are effective in mobilizing people to work for personal and social solutions in a realistic way. These people will be more likely to sign up. dss David Stodolsky Skype: davidstodolsky Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=32262