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). >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search http://shopping.yahoo.com Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=22604