The Consequences of Physical Immortality
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Author: Bruce J. Klein
Added: 07/25/2003
Type: Interview
Viewed: 14483 time(s)
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Page 4
QUESITON 4. Cryonics seems to be a key theme for the immortality institute. However, this is a controversial area. In particular, it is argued that not only are suspension procedures not meaningful currently and that current cryonics facilities are therefore essentially identical to Sutton Hoo or the Pyramids: elaborate tombs constructed with a false expectation of an afterlife. Is this a fair view, and if so do you feel such facilities damage the work of the Immortality Institute?
Not at all. Cryonics is a cornerstone in the foundation of the modern immortalists’ movement. Cryonics is a legitimate, tangible manifestation of the human desire for continuance.
There is nothing wrong with cryonics from my point of view. There is justifiable concern, however, for its effectiveness. For instance, there is a point after death where cellular damage is just to overwhelming and cryonics would be useless. Some have speculated just two hours, maybe more. I’m not sure. But, as a safety net, nothing is better than cryonics at the moment. As Ralph Merkle once said: "Would I rather be in the control group, or the experimental group?" [3]
Also, cryonics is important for bringing the debate about immortality to a larger audience. When the Ted William’s story hit, it was in my impression that it was an overall good. It gave us a common starting point, a common person or face to associate with the idea. It has raised important questions as to why someone would want to preserve their body after death. QUESITON 5. Another issue is that even with nanotechnology to repair tissue damage; suspensions may remain, since the charge fields used to store memory decay as entropy sets in during cryonic preservation, so that any re-animation would be of a being devoid of memory, and by extension personality. How significant an issue do you think this really is?
The most powerful argument for the success of cryonics is that almost all molecular decay stops if suspended in liquid nitrogen.
If preserved as soon after death as possible, the tissues, the brain cells, the information that makes up the mind, if held at liquid nitrogen temperature, which is –196 degrees Centigrade, will last for thousands, possibly millions of years. So, if humans haven’t found a solution by this time, it’s probably safe to assume that something very bad has happened and concerns for any cryonics patient will parish as well. |
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Poster: kleblanc
Added: -0/8-/2003
When the ancient egyptians mummified themselves, they were aware of both the immortality of the soul and the immortality of the body. They considered both as possibilities. Current day spiritualists are going on a premise that was devised from the ancient egyptian texts, except it is only part of the story due to over-simplification and re-wording in Christian texts. There is no proof of an afterlife. We are wise to consider both possibilities.
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Poster: Eric
Added: -0/7-/2003
If we would spend more time
reading our creators life
instructions we would be more
able to accept the death
penalty that satan decived us
into. But by our acceptance of
Jesus and what he did for us
at the cross we can avoid the
second death and live in heaven
for eternity. The World made new
without any pain or suffering.
The major problem highly intelligent
people like yourself have a hard time
seperating the natural mind
from the spiritual mind.
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Poster: Deb K.
Added: -0/7-/2003
What if we are already immortal: which I happen to have reality on the fact that we are. The key here is new bodies while retaining memory/previous knowledge. Ethics has to be encouraged so that this knowledge is used for the good of all mankind. Bodies are "just a hunk of meat", who you really are is the area to be examined.
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