X-Message-Number: 7491
Date: 12 Jan 97 23:13:03 EST
From: Paul Wakfer <>
Subject: Re Uncaring Cryonicists

I agree with Randy Smith that we must try to squelch this notion that
cryonicist's are less caring for others than are members of the general
population. This is the same old brush that has been used to tar Ayn Rand
objectivists, libertarians and pro-capitalist individualists in general.
The nature of all these philosophical viewpoints is that the interests of
mankind will be best advanced (and the longest range, most caring
achievments effected) by actions which are for one's own long range best
interest. This is so not because any individual is more "worthy" than any
other (except, axiomatically, to him or her self), but because such actions
(especially when life has been vastly extended so that "long range" is
truly such) must conform with the true nature of reality, including the
enormous worth that others are to ones own benefit, or they will not
achieve their goal.

Charles Platt wrote:

>Yes, because a cryonicist (such as myself) assumes he is so unique and
>wonderful, he is worthy of being preserved, and subsequently resusciated
>(presumably by other people who share his opinion of himself), long after
>everyone else has decomposed.

Charles, it's a plain and simple fact that every life-form *is* unique. In
addition, every human being *better* think that s/he is "wonderful" and
"worthy" or s/he is not going to stay alive very long, and certainly will
not have any true regard for the value of others. Finally, cryonicist's are
not seeking the charity or the adulation of others to effect their
restoration. They are counting on, and fully expect the self-interest
(either for monetary or intellectual return) of their descendants (both
philosophically and genetically) to help them return to life. Furthermore,
cryonicist's, far from being responsible for the fact that so many continue
to "decompose", are desperately trying to persuade them to sign up so that
they won't be lost. I ask you what could be more caring than wanting
everyone to be able to vastly extend their precious lives?


-- Paul --

Paul Wakfer
email:  phone:909-481-9620  pager:800-805-2870

HELP TO ACHIEVE - PERFECTED SUSPENDED ANIMATION WITHIN 20 YEARS!

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