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.


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