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! Check out the Prometheus Project web site at URL: http://www.prometheus-project.org/prometheus/ Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=7491