Along these lines, I thought of an interesting scenerio.
Lenin and Mao - and I think Ho Chi Minh and Stalin as well? Are currently
frozen and on display (has Lenin's tomb been closed since the overthrow of
Communism?). Most likely, they are frozen beyond repair no matter what
future technologies are available to cryonics (I think they were embalmed
first). I read a grotequely hilarious excerpt about the Chinese government
consulting the Soviet government about how they got Lenin to keep so well
through the years, since Mao's ears were falling off.
But anyway, supposing they had been put in a more brain-preserving cryonic
suspension - and this may not be a hypothetical question, since Hussein,
Milosovich, or any other dictator could hypothetically undergo suspension -
then when revival is possible, should we revive them to put them on trial
for crimes against humanity, then execute them?
>From: Max More <max@maxmore.com>
>Reply-To: extropians@extropy.org
>To: extropians@extropy.org
>CC: max@maxmore.com
>Subject: Re: Cryo-suspension for death row
>Date: Mon, 09 Oct 2000 10:12:19 -0700
>
>
>Even if the suspended perp is very definitely guilty (caught live on
>multiple video or independent and unimpeachable eyewitnesses) or no one
>ever can cast doubt on their guilt, I *still* would rather suspend them
>than destroy them. I'm more comfortable with being able to offer them the
>choice in the future when revival is possible and inexpensive: Now that
>we've brought you back, you have a choice: Either we execute you (since we
>can't let you run around freely with a destructive personality) or we can
>alter your brain just enough to ensure that you don't want to initiate
>aggression. Yes, more problems arise in that scenario, but at least the
>person is given a chance. Since I don't believe in Evil People (but do
>think that certain actions and behaviors can be called evil), I would
>rather offer someone redemption ever if they have done horrible things.
>
>Max
>
>Max More,
>max@maxmore.com or more@extropy.org
>www.maxmore.com
>President, Extropy Institute. www.extropy.org
>Senior Content Architect, ManyWorlds Consulting: www.manyworlds.com
>
---------------------------------------------------
Zeb Haradon (zebharadon@hotmail.com)
My personal webpage:
http://www.inconnect.com/~zharadon/ubunix
A movie I'm directing:
http://www.elevatormovie.com
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