X-Message-Number: 2736
From:  (Thomas Donaldson)
Subject: CRYONICS.about.Picket.Fence
Date: Mon, 9 May 1994 16:12:32 -0700 (PDT)

Hi!

I too got to see the episode of Picket Fence dealing with cryonics. I would 
certainly agree that it was far superior to LA law's treatment of the subject,
though a fair amount of the acting was wooden and it contained several 
implausibilities (not really cryonical implausibilities but just the nature
of the beast that it was).

However it also contained what may perhaps be an implicit commentary on the
behavior of cryonicists to which we might well pay attention. Forgetting all
issues of plausibility, the defending (pro-suspension) lawyer in the case
told the judge he was irrational, unintelligent, and a fool several times.
Similar things were said by the pro-cryonics people on other occasions.
It is therefore hardly surprising that the judge ultimately ruled against
cryonics.

Frankly, I have found myself guilty of such sins myself, though never in a
courtroom. Even if someone IS a fool, calling him one is unlikely to convince
him of your own opinion. I know it can be very hard to talk to fools without
giving them any sign of your opinion of them --- especially if the conversation
lasts for some time and gets nowhere. Was this show telling us all something
about ourselves that we should know? I will leave that as my comment about 
it.
				Long long life,

					Thomas Donaldson

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=2736