X-Message-Number: 9778
Date: Mon, 25 May 1998 16:25:20 +0100
From: (John de Rivaz)
Subject: Re: Carl Sagan and cryonics
In article: <> Brenda Peters writes:
> The tradedy of Carl Sagan, (unless God exists, as Dr. Sagan hoped he
> somehow did), is that Saganhb didn't take advantage of the chance he
> might have had with cryonics. And he is a loss to all of us though his
> great, lucid mind, and his wisdom lives on in his works.
In "Billions and Billions" Carl Sagan wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Is this, then, true or mere vain fantasy? Euripides, Ion (ca 410 BC)
Six times now have I looked Death in the face. And six times Death has
averted his gaze and let me pass. Eventually, of course, Death will claim me
- as he does each of us. It's only a question of when. And how.
I've learned much from our confrontations - especially about the beauty and
sweet poignancy of life, about the preciousness of friends and family, and
about the transforming power of love. In fact, almost dying is such a
positive, character-building experience that I'd recommend it to everybody -
except, of course, for the irreducible and essential element of risk.
I would love to believe that when I die I will live again, that some
thinking, feeling, remembering part of me will continue. But as much as I
want to believe that, and despite the ancient and worldwide cultural
traditions that assert an afterlife, I know of nothing to suggest that it is
more than wishful thinking.
I want to grow really old with my wife Annie, whom I dearly love. I want to
see my younger children grow up and to play a role in their character and
intellectual development. I want to meet still unconceived grandchildren.
There are scientific problems whose outcomes I long to witness - such as the
exploration of many of the worlds in our Solar System and the search for
life elsewhere. I want to learn how major trends in human history, both
hopeful and worrisome, work themselves out: the dangers and promise of our
technology say; the emancipation of women; the growing political, economic
and technological ascendancy of China; interstellar flight.
If there were life after death, I might, no matter when I die, satisfy most
of these deep curiosities and longings. But if death is nothing more than an
endless dreamless sleep, this is a forlom hope. Maybe this perspective has
given me a little extra motivation to stay alive.
The world is so exquisite, with so much love and moral depth, that there is
no reason to deceive ourselves with pretty stories for which there's little
good evidence. Far better, it seems to me, in our vulnerability, is to look
Death in the eye and to be grateful every day for the brief but magnificent
opportunity that life provides.
For years, near my shaving mirror - so I see it every morning - I have kept
a framed postcard. On the back is a penciled message to a Mr James Day in
Swansea Valley, Wales. It reads:
Dear Friend, Just a line to show that I am alive & kicking and going grand.
It's a treat. Yours, WJR
It's signed with the almost-indecipherable initials of one William John
Rogers. On the front is a colour photo of a sleek, four-funnelled steamer
captioned 'White Star Liner Titanic'.
The postmark was imprinted the day before the great ship went down, losing
more than 1,500 lives, including Mr Rogers'. Annie and I display the
postcard for a reason. We know that 'going grand' can be the most temporary
and illusory state.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
One wonders what the thought processes were that made him reject
cryopreservation. I am sure he must have heard of it. He must have been sent
many letters from fans who suggested it to him. (Although these could have
been intercepted by crank-mail extracting secretaries.)
--
Sincerely, * Longevity Report: http://www.longevb.demon.co.uk/lr.htm
John de Rivaz * Fractal Report: http://www.longevb.demon.co.uk/fr.htm
**************** Homepage:http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/JohndeR
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