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

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