Morendil comments on Dying Outside - Less Wrong

179 Post author: HalFinney 05 October 2009 02:45AM

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Comment author: Morendil 05 October 2009 07:05:30PM 10 points [-]

To what extent, if any, did your choice of signing up years ago modify the impact of the bad news ?

From a certain point of view, your diagnosis enhances the value of having purchased the cryonics option. You can be reasonably certain that when the end comes it will be predictable and you will be in an environment that makes suspension and transport easier.

Also I imagine that financing suspension with a life insurance policy becomes a different proposition, financially, after you've been diagnosed with ALS.

I've been putting it off, myself, for a bunch of reasons including the usual of looking like a very long shot and the social stigma, but mostly because at the moment it's such a US thing and there is so very little guidance to be had if you live elsewhere (I'm in France). Your example is making me rethink that. I suppose I should just fire off an email to Alcor and CI and see what they can tell me.

Comment author: HalFinney 05 October 2009 08:38:45PM 18 points [-]

It was actually extremely reassuring as the reality of the diagnosis sunk in. I was surprised, because I've always considered cryonics a long shot. But it turns out that in this kind of situation, it helps tremendously to have reasons for hope, and cryonics provides another avenue for a possibly favorable outcome. That is a good point that my circumstances may allow for a well controlled suspension which could improve my odds somewhat.

You're right though that with this diagnosis, life insurance is no longer an option. In retrospect I would be better off if I had purchased more life insurance for my family, as well as long term care insurance for myself. Of course, that doesn't change the considerations which made those seem to be unattractive gambles beforehand.

Comment author: dfranke 05 October 2009 11:33:31PM *  2 points [-]

Neuro is cheaper than whole-body, isn't it? Take some equity out of your cryonics insurance plan and use it for your (pre-deanimation) care.

Comment author: Eliezer_Yudkowsky 06 October 2009 02:23:29AM 14 points [-]

Keep the equity in your insurance plan in case suspension prices go up over time.