X-Message-Number: 5745
From: "Joseph J. Strout" <>
Newsgroups: sci.cryonics,sci.life-extension,uk.legal
Subject: Re: Death (was Donaldson MR and Miss Hindley)
Date: Fri, 16 Feb 1996 08:05:42 -0800
Message-ID: <>
References: <> <>

Greetings --

	Although I have not yet jumped into the fray, I'll do so today 
with just two points.

1. Regarding the issue of waking up in an unpleasant world: I've heard 
this argument from some friends on occasion, and it always surprises me.  
They are saying, in effect, that they'd rather die than take the chance, 
despite the fact that they have no evidence that the future will be 
unpleasant (indeed, strong arguments can be made that it will be quite 
benevolent, or one would not wake up at all).  Is this not equivalent to 
committing suicide for fear of what the future may hold?  (And, as John 
tacitly pointed out, one solution is to get to the future, and THEN 
decide whether to suicide.)

2. Regarding the dispositing of wealth, which is (quite reasonably) 
Owen's major objection: I can only speak for myself, but I believe most 
of the people signed up for cryonic suspension are in similar 
situations.  I am paying for my suspension through an increase in life 
insurance, *beyond* what I would obtain to care for my survivors (though 
replacing what I would prepare for normal funeral expenses).  I am paying 
for this extra money *now*, by sacrificing an extra $60/month, thereby 
slightly reducing my standard of living; it does NOT reduce the 
inheritance my survivors will receieve.  I am not wealthy; I'm quite 
firmly in the U.S.'s lowest tax bracket, in fact, and my estate, such as 
it is, may never exceed the life insurance payoff; but what there is will 
be bequeathed to my spouse (and children, if any) in the usual manner.
(Why?  Because I care about them.  And because, as you say, there is no 
guarantee that cryonics will work at all, or in my particular case.)

Sincerely,
Joe Strout

,------------------------------------------------------------------.
|    Joseph J. Strout           Department of Neuroscience, UCSD   |
|               http://sdcc3.ucsd.edu/~jstrout/    |
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