X-Message-Number: 5231 From: Randy <> Newsgroups: sci.cryonics Subject: What my 7th graders thought of cryonics last spring..... Date: 21 Nov 1995 17:47:05 GMT Message-ID: <48t3ap$> As a writing exercise for my 7th grade classes (about 125 kids) last spring, I made copies of Platt's Omni article on cryonics and we read and discussed the general idea of cryonics and the ancillary issues such as insurance and nanotechnology. (Many were already somewhat familiar with the basic principle from TV/movie sci-fi.) After a good deal of explanation (nanotechnology took some explaining!) we had a classroom discussion and I had them do some writing on the matter. I was interested in how many of them would look favorably on cryonics and how many unfavorably, etc. Roughly 30% or so went firmly opposed to cryonics, mainly on religious grounds, and some were just generally repulsed by the "gory details." Another 40% or so were indifferent to the concept. Of course about that percentage of 13 year olds are indifferent to any concept whatsoever. The remaining 20-30% were favorably disposed to cryonics or said they might be tempted to try it, given the opportunity. What was most interesting was the handful of kids (5% or so) who were strongly, or even wildly, in favor of cryonics. As the practical details of the article were brought forth, I could swear that several of these kids experienced something akin to a personal epiphany there in the classroom. During the classroom discussion, these few defended their viewpoints with considerable vigor, and I recall the expressions of disbelief on their faces as they realized that most of their classmates didn't see the potential of cryonics. Well, I thought maybe someone in this NG might find this story enlightening or interesting. I suppose you might conclude that the younger generation is at least somewhat open-minded regarding cryonics. --- Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=5231