X-Message-Number: 10565
From: "Scott Badger" <>
Subject: The Cost Objection
Date: Sun, 11 Oct 1998 10:28:18 -0500

>mskardon <> wrote:


>    Anyway, the cost of suspension is an obvious concern. I have four
>kids and a less than enthusiastic spouse [I did see interesting portion
>of FAQ on that sub-issue]. One of my concerns is that in funding the
>suspension, particularly Alcor's high-end whole body, whether its by
>life insurance or otherwise, I in effect remove resources that would be
>available for the next generation. There was a posting to this effect
>earlier this week although, obviously, there's no easy answer.
>
>    In a way, particularly for someone with heirs, to pay for suspension
>is a sublimely selfish act unless you assume that there will be
>something of value you can offer to those in the future distant. I
>wonder if anyone else has felt this way, especially those who have
>already signed up.


To Marty,

Think about how easy it would be to rack up a $100K-$150K medical
bill at the hospital if you came down with a life threatening disease that
required sophisticated procedures to save you.  Of course the intelligent
thing to do is to have medical insurance to cover those costs.  Cryonics
should also be thought of as an emergency medical procedure but cryonicists
use life insurance instead of medical insurance because we haven't
convinced enough people that our definition of death is more accurate
than theirs.  So, my question to you is, "Would it be selfish of you to
spend
$100K-$150K on medical bills so that you might continue to live?  Aren't you
removing resources that could be used by future generations?"  See my point?

You also stated that cryonics would be a selfish act " . . . unless you
assume
that there will be something of value you can offer to those in the future
distant."
Why would you ever assume that you *wouldn't* have something of value to
offer?  Besides, "value" is a very subjective term isn't it? Who's to say
how
valuable your activities are?  If you are revived in the future and all you
do is
enjoy your life, help friends, have lovers, laugh, cry, etc. . . was the
money
wasted on you?

I would also like to welcome Bob Ettinger back to Cryonet and express my
delight at hearing that his recovery appears to be a speedy one.

Best regards,

Scott Badger

http://homepages.waymark.net/~wbadger

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