X-Message-Number: 23562 Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2004 09:23:54 -0800 (PST) From: Scott Badger <> Subject: Re: 'Miracle' boys defy death OK, sheesh. I knew that, everyone (ahem). I mean I remember it now. I agree that the survival of the mind in such situations is a fundamental point that must be communicated in presenting cryonics to lay people, but I also agree that it is often not the most important objection we encounter in the mind of doubters. We have discussed ad nauseum, of course, the many objections raised among doubters, and our opinions on how much weight each carries. I don't think much progress has been made in resolving that line of questioning, but it's usually an interesting topic even so. A couple of days ago, a friend of mine who is quite aware of cryonics said to me, "You know all those nights on the couch when you think to yourself ... man, there's nothing to do? Isn't that just going to get worse after a few hundred years?" The thing is that I have several really intelligent friends with whom I've discussed cryonics, overcoming every argument they raise with sound, rational counter-arguments. Still, not one of them has expressed any interest in signing up. These same intelligent people play the lottery! Again, the reason why does not, in my opinion, reside in a specific argument that can simply be won over in debate style fashion. It strikes me as more of an ineffable effect of a deathist culture that can only be chipped away at slowly. And I believe there has been a shift occurring. I credit all the news stories about the potential for anti-aging technologies just over the horizon. It's starting to sink in, I think. In general, though, I'm in the camp that believes the biggest impediment to popularizing cryonics is that we haven't shown that it works ... yet. For me, the risk to reward ratio compels me to lay down my bet every month. Maybe that's a good approach to take with doubters. Say to the them, "Think of it as a lottery where the odds keep getting better every day and the sooner you play the less it costs. Hmmm. A lottery with just about the largest payoff imaginable, youth, health, and an indefinite lifespan in which to enjoy it. AND ... you get to be in the lottery even after you stop your monthly bets. Show me a better bet." Best regards and thanks to all for your responses. Scott Badger __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Search - Find what you re looking for faster http://search.yahoo.com Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=23562