X-Message-Number: 996 Date: Wed, 15 Jul 92 17:48:36 -0600 From: tolman% (Kenneth Tolman) Subject: Re: cryonics: #984 - #989 Should cryonics organizations recruit? How big should they be? If cryonics has a chance for success then it seems somewhat immoral not to attempt to recruit members. At least, hiding the idea from others seems to be somewhat immoral prospect. It would be like hiding from someone the fact that a drug exists which could cure their terminal illness. In the interests of optimization- it seems that a number of large and functioning cryonics groups would be ideal. That way, there would be competition which would yield cheaper costs and better quality in the long run. However, it DOES appear that at a certain stage it will be very rough. Once cryonics becomes somewhat noticeable and large- there will likely be a huge backlash from various sectors. This may include political and economic pressure, or even violence. Fortunately, the sectors which will backlash will probably be small and will end up collapsing under the constitutional right to freedom. It seems reasonable to me that some measures be taken to protect cryonic suspendees (such as suspending them in an unpublished locale, with a facade of suspension at a "facility", surviellence, and some strength in force) Eventually, it will become clear which countries are hospitable to the idea, and which are not. This may require that all patients are moved to accepting countries, hopefully one of which is the US. In any event, it seems that cryonics growth can NOT be stopped. This is simply because those who are signed up will attempt to sign up friends, children, and relatives. Certainly at least they will convince their children. Thus, this will follow an exponential growth pattern, doubling somewhat short of a generation. This growth pattern will probably continue as population restraints will not be imposed on those in the first world countries (where most patients will be from) Since cryonics is not a mutually exclusive deal (as many religions are) the growth pattern may be greater than many religions have spread. If average income continues to rise in the developed countries, then the amount invested in cryonics will become a smaller and smaller risk. Thus, barring cultural disposition or media indoctrination (through horror films of the dead) it should be expected that cryonics will naturally explode. This would not be apparent unless you stepped back a few hundred years probably, and when it really starts to take off will cease upon the revification of the initial members. Probably, some public people will popularize the notion, or perhaps some books such as Drexler's will. Is not Mohammad Ali considering it? Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=996