X-Message-Number: 22951
From: "David Pizer" <>
Subject: Speak up - or FOREVER hold your peace.
Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2003 16:57:11 -0800


>From time to time we read where certain people in the cryonics movement tell us
that we should be tolerant of others' views, (even when they might be in 
opposition to our cause), so that they will be tolerant of ours.  I think that 
can sometimes be a mistake and here is why.  


First of all, it just doesn't work.  If someone is wrong about cryonics, you 
have a moral obligation to correct them - lives may depend on your doing that 
successfully. Whether you believe morality is in some form of a moral imperative
or whether it is strictly based on results, there still is always a correct 
position and lots of incorrect positions.   What works the best is to find a way
to persuade others to change their views to the correct position.   Allowing 
everyone to have their own views about morality allows everyone to have many 
many views that are mutually exclusive.  This view is sometimes called ethical 
relativism.  That's where you agree that ethics are relative and it is best to 
let each person hold his own ethical views without correction.   The best 
example of why that won't work is to imagine the Nazis torturing and killing 
innocent people because they thought those people were a threat to the perfect 
society even though you knew it was wrong.  If its wrong - speak up!  If that 
doesn't work do something before it's too late.


There are non-cryonicists who think that it is ok to prevent us from practicing 
cryonics because they think they know what is best for everyone else, including 
us.   When you encounter a person like that, it is proper to correct them.  If 
they are uncorrectable, at least correct the subject to anyone who they might 
have reached, or to whoever you can.  This can be done by personal discussion, 
letters to the editor, speaking in groups and writing for magazines that reach 
the general public.  Just remember to do it in a polite and respectful manner.  
When trying to change someone's views on morality, politeness goes a long way.


The best reason for discussing ethics with others is to try to change their 
views and make a difference in what they oppose and what they will permit, even 
if they don't want it for themselves.  If you can't change the views of the 
speaker, try to change the views of his/her audience.   This is the current 
challenge to cryonicists.   If you have something to say about your feelings on 
cryonics and the prospect of physical immortality, why not write it down in a 
clear manner and send it to our editor, Mike Perry, for possible submission in 
PHYSICAL IMMORTALITY magazine.  Perhaps  your article will be one that convinces
others to our way of thinking?

Send your submissions to 


If you don't want to submit something yourself, at least purchase a subscription
and perhaps make a donation. To purchase a subscription for the year 2004,  
send $24 to The Venturists,  11255 State Route 69, Mayer Arizona 86333.  Help us
to persuade others to our way of thinking.


I hope I can convince you to create an argument to support your views.  It never
hurts one to write out his/her views in a well-reasoned manner.  If we can 
create persuasive arguments now, and get them into the public arena now, we may 
not have to battle opponents in the courts and elsewhere in the future for our 
right to survive.

Working together we can make a difference for each individual cryonicist..


David Pizer

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