X-Message-Number: 5426 From: Peter Merel <> Subject: Subtlety Date: Fri, 15 Dec 1995 23:32:56 +1100 (EST) David Cosenza writes, >In message #5415 Peter Merel says that he doesn't care who is liable for >what, and feels that accusations that could lead to the death of patients >in suspension should be ignored. I apologize to Mr. Merel and to anybody >else who doesn't think that issues relating to patient security are >relavent here, but this is afterall the cryonics mailing list. Let's talk about patient security. What endangers it? Reckless acts and reckless talk. Both of these bring the risk of scandal and legal complications that can drain funds and excite legislators against us. I hope it won't bother you if I quote Lao Tse (from chapter 73): Who is brave and bold will perish; Who is brave and subtle will benefit. The subtle profit where the bold perish For fate does not honour daring. And even the sage dares not tempt fate. So if you have an intention with regard to cryonics, it is sensible to be subtle. To be subtle is to think about the effect of your words, not the truth of them. Cryonics is a small movement, with very few resources - it needs to grow strong if we're to have any chance of "patient security" - of securing a future for the patients. Strength doesn't come from truth. Strength comes from harmony. So harmony should be the effect you look for in what you say. And harmony demands subtlety. Now I agree with you that reckless acts are a danger to patient security, and that we, as a community, should take steps that will minimise such dangers. However it behooves us, as people whose lives ultimately depend on the success of cryonics as a community and as a movement, to guard our words, to speak carefully, to accept both the virtues and the failings of our people, and to think carefully about what we say and do before we speak or act. This is why I don't care about who is liable for what. I care about strengthening the community so that it has some chance of enduring long enough to revive me. I don't want to waffle on much further with this - if I'd been true to my word I would have filtered it out via procmail anyway. I should only say that it's obvious to me, David, from what you've said, that you are a very brave man. I don't doubt that for even a moment. But bravery by itself isn't going to be enough to secure a future for our frozen compadres - subtlety is needed too. Pete. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=5426