From: Harvey Newstrom (mail@HarveyNewstrom.com)
Date: Tue Jan 22 2002 - 07:13:34 MST
Eliezer S. Yudkowsky wrote,
> Maybe I'm wrong, but I really don't think so. I don't know how many
> people would turn down immortality if you asked them the question
> theoretically at a cocktail party, but ask them for real! - I really do
> think that the refusers will be in a minority.
Haven't people already done this? Most people *do* refuse immortality.
When life extensionists appear on TV or radio, most of the audience do think
that there is something wrong with extending lifespan. Religious people
think its evil. Naturists think its unnatural. Luddites think its
dangerous. Self-serving, atheistic, technology-loving, far-thinking
pioneers are very rare.
We have life-saving technology today that people don't use. People fight
against using condoms, wearing helmets, wearing seatbelts, quitting smoking,
eating health foods, etc. Even when we know stuff can kill us, most people
avoid life extending techniques.
Even on this list I would guess that less than half are signed up for
cryonics, less than half practice calorie restriction, less than half have a
consistent nutrient program, and less than half have regular checkups.
-- Harvey Newstrom, CISSP <www.HarveyNewstrom.com> Principal Security Consultant, Newstaff Inc. <www.Newstaff.com> Board of Directors, Extropy Institute <www.Extropy.org> Cofounder, Pro-Act <www.ProgressAction.org>
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