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I learned recently that cryogenics is just the study of inducing low temperatures and observing its effects on materials. What happened to Fry in Futurama is actually referred to as cryonics.
Anyway, while I don't plan on dying, I do realize that this may not be entirely within my power to control. Consequently, I've recently come to the conclusion that, when I have the money to do so, I'm going to sign up to be cryonically preserved in the event of my death. The initial investment for this process is pretty hefty, and there's an annual maintenance fee for your body, but with life insurance the prospect becomes significantly more affordable.
The one downside to cryopreservation beyond cost is the minor detail that, at present, there is no known method of successfully reviving an adult human body. Cryobiologists believe that the current methods used to preserve bodies allow for the possibility of revival in the future, but at this point it's still hand-waived with nanotechnology and the like.
A significant number of people that opt for cryopreservation only get their heads frozen, with the belief being that the brain is the only part necessary for the continuation of consciousness. Hand-waiving revival of the brain is done not with nanotechnology but with mind uploading and emulation on computers! Good stuff.
Despite the pure science fiction of coming back to life in the future, I believe this is a viable and low risk opportunity to extend my life. There is a questions of whether or not the me that is awakened (either in a computer program or a regenerated body or whatever) in the future will be me, but I believe it's impossible to verify that and as such not worth thinking about (anymore than I already have).
Has anyone else ever considered the possibility? Think it's all hooey? Already signed up? Successfully been revived? Let's hear it.
Anyway, while I don't plan on dying, I do realize that this may not be entirely within my power to control. Consequently, I've recently come to the conclusion that, when I have the money to do so, I'm going to sign up to be cryonically preserved in the event of my death. The initial investment for this process is pretty hefty, and there's an annual maintenance fee for your body, but with life insurance the prospect becomes significantly more affordable.
The one downside to cryopreservation beyond cost is the minor detail that, at present, there is no known method of successfully reviving an adult human body. Cryobiologists believe that the current methods used to preserve bodies allow for the possibility of revival in the future, but at this point it's still hand-waived with nanotechnology and the like.
A significant number of people that opt for cryopreservation only get their heads frozen, with the belief being that the brain is the only part necessary for the continuation of consciousness. Hand-waiving revival of the brain is done not with nanotechnology but with mind uploading and emulation on computers! Good stuff.
Despite the pure science fiction of coming back to life in the future, I believe this is a viable and low risk opportunity to extend my life. There is a questions of whether or not the me that is awakened (either in a computer program or a regenerated body or whatever) in the future will be me, but I believe it's impossible to verify that and as such not worth thinking about (anymore than I already have).
Has anyone else ever considered the possibility? Think it's all hooey? Already signed up? Successfully been revived? Let's hear it.
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