X-Message-Number: 28503
References: <>
Subject: Re: CryoNet #28492
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2006 18:50:42 -0400
From: 

I agree with the sensible sentiments of Charles Platt except for his
last comment
"But the idea of my body and brain gradually failing to function
properly or succumbing to a terminal disease is a source of great
anxiety--which cryonics cannot alleviate to even the slightest degree."
   There seems to be some evidence that some people find relief of a 
sort
 from the knowledge that they will be cryopreserved. The National
Geographic video illustrates that rather well for one family dealing
with a very rough end stage situation. It requires a certain amount of
"faith" in both the cryonics organizations of today and their primitive
technology as well as faith that future science and technology will
extend life substantially if not indefinitely. This faith is directly
analogous to the religious belief in an eternal life but with a thin
supporting thread of rationality which is totally lacking in other
"faith" scenarios. We should also remind ourselves that cryonics faith
and religious faith are not incompatible, at least in the minds of most
people.  All religions support the extension of life as long as it is
possible, and we have many cryonicists who are also religious people.
The possibility that there is a logical incompatibility between belief
in cryonics and other beliefs may stir up cognitive dissonance in some,
but most people live happy lives riddled with contradictions. So be it.

Ronald Havelock

-----Original Message-----
From: 
To: 
Sent: Sun, 24 Sep 2006 11:00 PM
Subject: CryoNet #28485 - #28495


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