X-Message-Number: 1013
Date: Fri, 17 Jul 1992
Subject: the language of cryonics

>From the recently prepared FAQ:

>If these frozen people are revived, will it be easy to cure them of
 whatever disease made them deanimate?

Cryonics literature, including the FAQ, should use the words "die" and
"death" with their ordinary meanings, such that ordinary people will
understand.  Substitution of "deanimate" where an ordinary person expects
to see "die" is a signal that the speaker is from a different culture,
and not to be trusted in important matters:  He may be trying to lie to
you by using words in unfamiliar ways.

For the same reason, the word "suspension" should usually be replaced by
"freezing".  It's ok to use "suspension" to mean the whole process from
standby to washout to liquid nitrogen, but say "freeze" when you mean
"freeze".  I'd also suggest "revive" in place of "reanimate".

It's important not to blow credibility at the start by advertising
"We're a bunch of weirdos who talk in funny words -- come join us,
and see what other strange things we do!"  Much better if signing up
for cryonics is like being the first person on your block to buy a
personal computer: adventurous, risky, but not threatening to the
neighbors.

[ Most feedback on the Draft FAQ should go to Tim Freeman ,
  who is generously donating time to put it together.  (Thanks!)  This
  (anonymous) message, however, poses a new question concerning the
  language we use when discussing cryonics with people new to the idea.
  It will be useful to compare this post with Brian Wowk's "Death of Death
  in Cryonics", which I paraphrased several years ago in message #50. - KQB ]

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