X-Message-Number: 3015
Subject: CRYONICS:Libertarians
From:  (Charles Platt)
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 94 21:29:31 EDT

I find it odd that in the discussion of libertarianism and cryonics, no
one seems to have mentioned that the Alcor Foundation's current CEO is a
NON-libertarian (at least, he was last time I checked). So, we have one 
group at least where a bleeding-heart liberal still holds some influence.

I also find it odd that libertarians seem to think they are the only ones
who are genuinely "free." Maybe by the libertarian definition of that
word, libertarians are the only ones who qualify. But in my experience,
many different people of various political persuasions would all claim to
be in favor of "freedom." It's irrelevant to debate who is really the
freest. All that matters is for a person to THINK that (s)he is in favor
of the general concept of freedom. This would predispose that person
toward cryonics. 

Selfishness is another matter, and I think Carlos Mondragon has a point, 
there. Libertarians may well be the only political group that feels 
comfortable coming right out and defending the idea of being selfish. On 
the other hand, selfishness is definitely not the only reason to be 
interested in cryonics. Sheer naked FEAR could be a motivating factor!

I don't dispute the obvious overlap between libertarianism and cryonics. 
I merely point out that there are exceptions--people whose views should 
command equal respect. And I would like to see more diversity in future.

--Charles Platt, vice-president, CryoCare Foundation

(these views are my own, not necessarily of CryoCare)

#####################################################################
Charles Platt  /  1133 Broadway (room 1214)  /  New York  /  NY 10010 
 /  / phone  212 929 3983

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