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Douglas_Knight comments on [LINK] Why Cryonics Makes Sense - Wait But Why - Less Wrong Discussion

15 Post author: Paul 25 March 2016 11:41AM

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Comment author: qmotus 25 March 2016 04:39:20PM 2 points [-]

I suppose the article does a good job answering some of the common objections, but I still think the most important thing that's stopping people from signing up is the fact that they just don't care: after all, life sucks, but at least then you die.

That said, there is one argument that I find kind of powerful that articles like this don't usually touch on (for somewhat obvious reasons): the point made in, for example, the preface to the finale of the Ultimate Meta Mega Crossover, that if we actually live in an infinite multiverse/many-worlds/nested simulverse/etc, we may be bound to find ourselves resurrected by someone eventually anyways, and cryonics could be a way to try to make sure that someone is friendly.

I'm not really sure what to make of that argument though. I wonder if there's anybody who's signed up because of reasons like that, despite not having any interest in cryonics in general?

Comment author: Douglas_Knight 27 March 2016 05:46:07PM *  1 point [-]

By "the preface" do you mean the "memetic hazard warnings"?

Concepts contained in this story may cause SAN Checking in any mind not inherently stable at the third level of stress. Story may cause extreme existential confusion. Story is insane. The author recommends that anyone reading this story sign up with Alcor or the Cryonics Institute to have their brain preserved after death for later revival under controlled conditions. Readers not already familiar with this author should be warned that he is not bluffing.

I don't think that is claiming that it is a rational response to claims about the word.

we may be bound to find ourselves resurrected by someone eventually anyways, and cryonics could be a way to try to make sure that someone is friendly.

This is a quantum immortality argument. If you actually believe in quantum immortality, you have bigger problems. Here is Eliezer offering cryonics as a solution to those, too.

Comment author: qmotus 27 March 2016 08:25:20PM 0 points [-]

By "the preface" do you mean the "memetic hazard warnings"?

Yes.

I don't think that is claiming that it is a rational response to claims about the word.

I don't get this. I see a very straightforward claim that cryonics is a rational response. What do you mean?

This is a quantum immortality argument. If you actually believe in quantum immortality, you have bigger problems. Here is Eliezer offering cryonics as a solution to those, too.

I've read that as well. It's the same argument, essentially (quantum immortality doesn't actually have much to do with MWI in particular). Basically, Eliezer is saying that quantum immortality is probably true, it could be very bad, and we should sign up for cryonics as a precaution.

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