X-Message-Number: 23520 Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2004 13:13:05 -0800 (PST) From: Jeff Davis <> Subject: Re: Cryonics is about hope...Or more love In Message #23512 Jonathan Hinek writes: What I'd like to see is de-emphasis of the indefinite life span and immortality angle. Few have sympathy for a bunch of old people trying to get older (which is seen, in many cases, as stealing from future generations). That isn't the real heart of cryonics, not IMO anyway. That isn't our moral high ground. Cryonics is about helping the sick and dying by giving them the possibility of a future. It's about the twenty-something wife dying of cancer who's afraid she'll never see her children grow up, the quadriplegic who dreams of someday living a 'normal' life again, or the kid whose life was extinguished before he even reached adulthood. For them, Alcor represents hope. The eventual outcome is insignificant when compared to the comfort it brings to them today, and their families tomorrow. No politician has the right to take that hope away. --------end quote---------- I couldn't agree more. And if one were to consider those immaterial--perhaps I can use the word "spiritual"--rewards in life--the feel good stuff we seek vs the feel bad stuff we seek to prevent--then I would add: more joyful time with those we love, more and greater cultural contributions from the great cultural contributors, and a deeper, richer--in short, wiser--human experience for all. Remember the old saying: youth is wasted on the young? Well, cryonics seeks that remarkable state where the optimism and possibility of youth--(and health and vitality, too, of course)-- is joined with the gentle wisdom of years. From Lawrence Durrell's Alexandria: To the lucky now Who have lovers and friends, Who move to their sweet, undiscovered ends, Or who the great conspiracy deceives. I wish these whirling autumn leaves, Promontories splashed by the salty sea, Groaned on in darkness like the tram To horizons of love or good luck, Or more love..... As for me I now move through many negatives To what I am. Best, Jeff Davis "We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." Anais Nin __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Get better spam protection with Yahoo! Mail. http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=23520