X-Message-Number: 7350
Date: Tue, 24 Dec 1996 15:43:28 -0500 (EST)
From: "Henry R. Hirsch" <>
Subject: Synthetic Pleasures

I was very much disturbed by the presence of the cryonics segments in the
movie "Synthetic Pleasures".  The presentations in themselves were fine, but
the context was terrible.  According to one school of thought, any publicity
is good publicity.  "Just spell my name right."  I don't think that is true.
The old adage that you are known by the company you keep is much more to the
point.  In "Synthetic Pleasures", the rational idea of cryonic suspension is
presented as equivalent to such escapist activities as body piercing and
entertainment through virtual reality.

The reaction of many viewers may be the one given by my wife.  She felt that
the movie made cryonics look like a religion.  She is not a cryonics
supporter but, having joined me in a visit to the Cryonics Institute, is
much more knowledgeable about the subject than most moviegoers.

I don't mean to initiate another internet flame war.  I am only writing in
the hope that, in the future, we will all try to avoid giving cryonics the
appearance of a pseudoscientific cult.
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Henry R. Hirsch                      
 Department of Physiology                   Phone: (606)323-5438
 MS508 Chandler Medical Center              Fax:   (606)323-1070
 University of Kentucky                     E-Mail: 
 Lexington, KY 40536-0084
 USA


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