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


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