X-Message-Number: 5161 Date: 12 Nov 95 12:12:05 EST From: "Kent, Saul" <> Subject: Cryonics And Society Kevin Lynch says that in his opinion: "Cryonics only makes sense from an individualist perspective." I disagree. Cryonics is one approach to the achievement of physical immortality. Although I think the transition period between a mortalist and an immortalist society--during which time cryonics will play a critical role--is fraught with risks for society, I believe the immortalist society that will eventually emerge will be far better than any of today's societies. Here are two reasons for this opinion. Today people talk a lot about making the world better for their grandchildren, but few really mean it. When they have the opportunity to make the world better for themselves, their children *and* their grandchildren, I believe more people will be genuinely concerned about long-term goals, will be more likely to undertake long-term projects, and will be less concerned with immediate and short-term gratification. Today young people and old people are generally supported by those in midlife (say, between 30 and 60). This places an enormous burden on society's "breadwinners" and lowers the quality of life in society as a whole. When our years of productivity extend well beyond 60, as we become healthier and more youthful with advancing age, we'll be able to contribute to society far longer and, I believe, society will benefit from this. Some have said that extending the years of productivity will be harmful because it will enable rigid, uncreative people to remain in power. I disagree. I think people who become rigid and uncreative with advancing age generally do so because of the infirmities of aging and the anticipation of death, rather than because they have lived longer. I think people who live for centuries in health and vigor will, in general, be wiser, more productive, and more creative than people who grow old and die according to a fixed schedule, and I think the benefits of this for society will be enormous. It is theoretically possible, of course, that an immortalist society could develop *without* cryonics, or without cryonicists playing a major role in its development, but I believe that's highly unlikely because, as I see it, cryonicists (some signed up and some not) are the primary driving force for the achievement of physical immortality. ---Saul Kent Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=5161