[extropy-chat] Transhumanism mentioned in Skeptic re: cryonics

[natashavita at earthlink.net]

From: Hara Ra 

>Come on folks, go to Alcor's web site and read about vitrification. These 
>people you quote are completely uninformed, even the cryobiologists.

Precisely.

Natasha

At 03:44 PM 12/6/2004, you wrote:
>In response to last month's hit-piece on cryonics in "Skeptic" magazine, 
>they have published a few pro-cryonics responses. One, by NASA scientist 
>and science fiction novelist Gregory Benford, mentions transhumanism in a 
>perhaps-not-so-flattering way:
>
>"Of course, cryonics is a huge gamble, and I think it is best viewed that 
>way. The recent piece by Kevin Miller in Skeptic (Vol. 11, No. 1) follows 
>common practice: interview a cryobiologist, who then cites a transhumanist 
>(not a cryonicist) about techno-optimism. Miller's scientist, Kenneth 
>Storey, cites extreme standards (cells must cool "at least 1000 degrees a 
>minute") without backing up that statement; he then says "it will never 
>work fororgans," and "they claim they will overturn the law of physics, 
>chemistry and molecular science," again using the argument from authority 
>but providing no evidence." (Skeptic Vol. 11, No. 2, p. 28).
>
>The Transhumanist in question, btw, is George Dworsky of the Toronto 
>Transhumanist Association, who was quoted in the original article as 
>saying "I can't sit here today and look you in the eye and tell you we are 
>going to bring people back. Amupme who is going to tell you that is either 
>deluding themselves, or they're not being realistic. But I think there are 
>enough clues now to give us some hope. ... [the thawing process will need] 
>a radically futuristic technology [that] could resuscitate or revitalize 
>the person."
>
>Joseph
>
>Enhance your body "beyond well" and your mind "beyond normal":
>http://www.humanenhancement.com
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==================================
=   Hara Ra (aka Gregory Yob)    =
=     harara at sbcglobal.net       =
=   Alcor North Cryomanagement   =
=   Alcor Advisor to Board       =
=       831 429 8637             =
==================================

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