X-Message-Number: 996
Date: Wed, 15 Jul 92 17:48:36 -0600
From: tolman% (Kenneth Tolman)
Subject: Re:  cryonics: #984 - #989

  Should cryonics organizations recruit?  How big should they be?

If cryonics has a chance for success then it seems somewhat immoral not
to attempt to recruit members.  At least, hiding the idea from others 
seems to be somewhat immoral prospect.  It would be like hiding from
someone the fact that a drug exists which could cure their terminal illness.

In the interests of optimization- it seems that a number of large and
functioning cryonics groups would be ideal.  That way, there would be
competition which would yield cheaper costs and better quality in the
long run.

However, it DOES appear that at a certain stage it will be very rough.
Once cryonics becomes somewhat noticeable and large- there will likely be
a huge backlash from various sectors.  This may include political and
economic pressure, or even violence.  Fortunately, the sectors which will
backlash will probably be small and will end up collapsing under the
constitutional right to freedom.  It seems reasonable to me that some
measures be taken to protect cryonic suspendees (such as suspending them
in an unpublished locale, with a facade of suspension at a "facility",
surviellence, and some strength in force)

Eventually, it will become clear which countries are hospitable to the idea,
and which are not.  This may require that all patients are moved to 
accepting countries, hopefully one of which is the US.

In any event, it seems that cryonics growth can NOT be stopped. This is
simply because those who are signed up will attempt to sign up friends,
children, and relatives.  Certainly at least they will convince their
children.  Thus, this will follow an exponential growth pattern, doubling
somewhat short of a generation.  This growth pattern will probably continue
as population restraints will not be imposed on those in the first world
countries (where most patients will be from) Since cryonics is not a
mutually exclusive deal (as many religions are) the growth pattern may
be greater than many religions have spread.    If average income continues
to rise in the developed countries, then the amount invested in cryonics
will become a smaller and smaller risk.  Thus, barring cultural disposition
or media indoctrination (through horror films of the dead) it should be
expected that cryonics will naturally explode.  This would not be apparent
unless you stepped back a few hundred years probably, and when it really
starts to take off will cease upon the revification of the initial members.
Probably, some public people will popularize the notion, or perhaps some
books such as Drexler's will.  Is not Mohammad Ali considering it?

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