X-Message-Number: 22604
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2003 09:22:09 -0700 (PDT)
From: Randall Burns <>
Subject: Re: CryoNet #22595 - #22602

IMHO the basic issue is that cryonics--and for that
matter significant life extension-- at this point is 
not attached to _any_ demonstrably viable community.

What do I mean by a viable community? An organization
that has undergone a couple generations of sucession
of leadership(the factor that sociologists use to
distinguish sects from cults)-and has provided a
"complete way of life" including producing future
generations and raising them within the community.

For a community to be viable, its raising of folks
plus its abilty to convert must at least equal its
defection/motality rate over time. Cryonics/life
extension has "converts"-but it really isn't attached
to a "way of life" or a community. My observation here
is that many if not most cryonics folks attach
themselves to some other community-that may be
indifferent or hostile towards cryonics- to get many
of their social needs met. 

Maybe venturism/extropianism/transhumanism will evolve
into a "real" community of this type but right now it
seems to me like it is in its early stages compared to
say any major "name brand" religion.


David Stodolsky wrote:
>Yes. The Momons created a way of life that supported
their world view. 
That temple is where you gain self-esteem for your
contributions to the 
community. It is where you find your future wife. In
the earliest days 
of Mormonism, the entire community operated as unit,
which was 
essential for survival under harsh conditions. It was
one of the most 
successful examples of religious communism, in its
early period.


So, while the details of what is being suggested are
probably 
incorrect, the overall point is valid. Venturism, as
currently 
structured, doesn't function as system to guide
persons toward cryonic 
suspension as a logical and inevitable step, but only
to protect those 
already committed to it. That is, Venturism isn't a
way of life, which 
includes cryonics as an element, but a vehicle for
cryonicists to 
protect their interests (not that there is anything
wrong with this).
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

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