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



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