X-Message-Number: 5510
From: 
Date: Sun, 31 Dec 1995 10:49:53 -0500
Subject: Drexler & New Year

Drexler's reported reasons for optimism about early fruition of full-fledged
nanotech have a very hollow ring. Of course, he is motivated to be a
professional optmist about nanotech, as we are about cryonics--and indeed I
am optimistic, with specific reasons, about the long term and about the
chances of existing patients. Nevertheless, just among us chickens, I
wouldn't advise anyone to invest all of his time, effort, or psychic capital
in cryonics--unless he thoroughly enjoys it, as some do.

My brother Alan likes to say that most activities in life, regardless of
ostensible intrinsic merit, amount just to basket weaving--something to
occupy and amuse yourself while waiting to die. Of course that is not the
only viewpoint, nor usually the best one, but it has a sizable grain of truth
in it. 

Some think cryonics has been hindered by lack of charismatic leaders and of
evangelical fervor. Others think we have too much fervor and
single-mindedness and that this is off-putting for most people. Again, no
doubt there is some truth in both views; but I am inclined to think that,
both for internal and external consumption, we need to strike a reasonable
balance. Of course most of this is academic anyway, since the actual approach
taken by individuals will be determined more by hormones and by accident than
by cerebration.  It is mildly interesting to note comments of the Discovery
Channel people, when they were filming for their upcoming cryonics hour, that
they were impressed by the apparent normality and lack of obsessiveness of
individuals in cryonics. 

The main point is that most of us should make sure we live in the present as
well as in the future. Happy New Year.

Robert Ettinger
Cryonics Institute
Immortalist Society


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