X-Message-Number: 1722 From: (Timothy Freeman) Newsgroups: sci.cryonics Subject: Re: Cryonics and The Death Penalty Message-ID: <> Date: 8 Feb 93 14:38:29 GMT References: <> In article <> (Richard Feynman's Ghost) writes: Since there is such a controversy over using the death penalty, but so many people feel it is morally acceptable and necessary for prison population/economic control, why don't we use cryonics as the solution? Um, I vaguely remember that because people get super-due process before receiving the death penalty, using the death penalty is actually more expensive than keeping the fellow in jail for life. In any case, the death penalty is applied infrequently enough that it can't possibly have a significant effect on our prison populations. The only argument I can see for it is using it as a deterrent. Whether it works as a deterrent depends on the psychology of the criminals, about which I know nothing. I agree with your list of advantages and disadvantages and have nothing to add, except I would move "deferring moral judgement" to the "disadvantage" column. I don't think our society benefits from ducking issues. Following this: could someone explain to me theories on the brain while in cryonic suspension. Simple thermodynamic arguments (see the FAQ) lead to the conclusion that no significant amount of chemistry happens while in cryonic suspension. Assuming that thought is a chemical process rather than a supernatural process, it follows that no thought happens. Did I answer your question? The real issue is how much damage suspension causes, and whether that damage will be repairable. Is that what you meant to ask? Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=1722