X-Message-Number: 17086
From: "john grigg" <>
Subject: the nature of self-worth regarding cryonics
Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 21:41:30 

George Smith says:
>There is no need for justifying your existence nor assigning yourself >some 
>kind of "worth".

I agree.  I feel to be a sentient being is more then enough reason to feel 
justified in one's existance.  I do also feel that a person does need to 
have respect for others(not murdering, raping, robbing, or torturing them) 
as a basic component of worth.  And also, trying to develop one's personal 
potential, along with helping other's where it is possible, adds to one's 
value.

But, I feel the "added value" of gaining an education, developing talents 
and a career, are the house built over the "foundation." Worth   should be 
unconditional and simply come from being.

Mike Perry replied:
But if you have no worth, why bother with something like cryonics or trying 
to live forever? Even simple self-preservation can be called into question. 
And it does seem that a lot of people reject cryonics for the very reason 
that they consider themselves unworthy of "coming back." As one such person 
somewhat humorously stated it, "my brains aren't worth freezing." How do you 
answer an objection like that, without invoking some concept of the value or 
worth of the person in question?
(end)

I would think it takes a certain basic level of self-esteem to embrace 
cryonics when society, family and friends may condemn one for doing so!  
Signing up for cryonics is a lot more forward thinking and extreme then 
let's say jumping out of the way of a oncoming bus!

I think many people see themselves as unworthy of "coming back" with the "my 
brains aren't worth freezing" comment because they consider their intellect 
and talents to not be up to the task of successfully dealing with life after 
reanimation.  And they can't imagine the "improved" people and machines of 
the future as having compassion in regards to helping and even upgrading 
them so they can be happy and productive.

We need to let this person know that if they look back over time the 
compassion and charity of society has greatly increased.  And with vastly 
superior technologies the people of the future will have both the desire AND 
power to reach out and get people to the level where they can thrive in a 
new world.  This person needs to know that as a "living historical artifact" 
he/she will have great value to them and NOT be a social outcast or an 
animal in a zoo.

best wishes,

John



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