X-Message-Number: 10862
Date: Wed, 02 Dec 1998 11:48:43 +0100
From:  (John de Rivaz)
Subject: SCI.CRYONICS Re: Trusts - "Time is Money" vs "Unlimited Time"

In article: <> "Oro Viejo" 
<>writes:
> I read the Trust discussions with (compound) interest (pun intended)!  I,
> too, am working towards the same goals.  I want to be able to justify and
> to pay for the cost of my reanimation.

People who want cryonics want to be in control. If they didn't want to be in 
control, they's chose burning or rotting and allow god (and the 
circumstances of the universe which determine whether the god-concept has 
any reality) to be in control. 

If they are reanimated with no money of their own they will no longer in in 
control. Therefore there is a need not just to pay for reanimation, but to 
have some capital to live off. I am certain also that no cryonicist would 
want to remain retired for all eternity.

However they will want to work at what they chose, not what some employer 
choses for them at a time the employer choses and in a place the employer 
choses, or under the pressure that if they don't succeed they will be in 
financial trouble. I am not saying that they'd rather die than be reanimated 
with no money, but given that compound interest makes it relatively easy to 
produce enough money if the lawyers leave it alone, it seems silly not to.

> 
> BUT ..
> 
> Historically, it seems the concept of "money" is derived from the real
> need to create a "medium of exchange" for our "time" (in labor)...the only
> irreplaceable commodity (to date).

A society where lifespan is indefinite would eventually produce a totally 
uncontrollable populace. Of course this may not matter - the society may 
have cohesion with everyone doing their own thing. But if there are 
politicians, lawyers and similar people wanting to control others still 
around, then won't like an uncontrollable population.
 
The resoning behind my statement is that if people can live for ever, 
however small their wages they should be able to save something. Even a cent 
a year saved into compound interest account would provide a fortune 
sufficient to live off without employment given enough time. There is always 
enough out of infinity.

Also, in a society of immortals there would be few births. Therefore there 
would be very few people who could not chose what they do. Therefore 
unpopular jobs would be unfilled. 

It is possible, then, in such a society any form of interest or dividend on 
saved money would be illegal. Of course gambling and stock markets would 
have to go, and this will slam the brakes on further progress, but given 
that immortality exists there could be few goals left for entrapreneurs 
anyway unless you inclde exploration of art science the universe and the 
meaning of life.


Fortunately true immortality (ie with invulnerability) will come well after 
cryonics revivals, if it ever comes. So those trusts are worthwhile.

-- 
Sincerely,     * Longevity Report:  http://www.longevb.demon.co.uk/lr.htm
John de Rivaz  * Fractal Report:    http://www.longevb.demon.co.uk/fr.htm
**************** Homepage:http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/JohndeR
    In the information age, sharing can increase world wealth enormously,
        because giving information does not decrease your information.

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