The Prospect of Immortality

by Robert C.W. Ettinger, R. Michael Perry (Contributor), Charles Tandy (Editor)

In the 1960s Robert Ettinger founded the cryonics (cryonic hibernation) movement and authored THE PROSPECT OF IMMORTALITY. (And in the 1970s Ettinger would help initiate the transhumanist revolution with his MAN INTO SUPERMAN.) Ettinger sees "discontinuity in history, with mortality and humanity on one side -- on the other immortality and transhumanity." [[ ]] This 2005 edition (ISBN 0-9743472-3-X) contains an exact replica copy of the complete first edition of Ettinger's 1964 cultural classic, THE PROSPECT OF IMMORTALITY. (The Cultural Classics Series By Ria University Press is edited by Charles Tandy, Ph.D.) Additional (2005) materials include comments by others -- "Developments In Cryonics 1964-2005" -- written especially for this 21st century (1) "The State of Cryonics -- 2005" (By Jim Yount); and, (2) "A Brief History of Cryonics" (By R. Michael Perry). A new (2005) Introduction by Charles Tandy is entitled "Ettinger's 1964 Indefinitely Extended And Enhanced Life (Immortality) Is Probably Already Here Via Experimental Long-Term Suspended Animation" [[ ]] James Bedford began his journey as "the first cryonaut" on January 12, 1967; as of 2005, he and many others remain in cryonic hibernation. According to Ettinger, cryonic hibernation (experimental long-term suspended animation) of humans may provide a "door into summer" unlike any season previously known. Such patients (individuals and families in cryonic hibernation) may yet experience the transhuman condition. Ettinger argues for his belief in "the possibility of limitless life for our generation." We should become aware of the incorrect, distorted, and oversimplified ideas presented in the popular media about cryonics. He believes that the cool logic and scientific evidence he presents should lead us to forget the horror movies and urban legends and embrace great expectations.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cryonics, Science

304 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1964

About the author

an American academic, known as "the father of cryonics" because of the impact of his 1962 book The Prospect of Immortality. He is considered by some a pioneer transhumanist on the basis of his 1972 book Man into Superman.

Ettinger founded the Cryonics Institute and the related Immortalist Society and until 2003 served as the groups' president. His body has been cryopreserved, like the bodies of his first and second wives, and his mother.

Reviews

[source · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ettinger constantly defies with tenacity the ideas of "biological death" and "irrevocable damage", Benjamin Franklin would be proud. The question of how quickly cryonics will grow substantially beyond its " cottage industry " begginnings into a massively popular biomedical industry is not obvious, but I'm sure we'll get there one day. The author takes time to explain technical terms or concepts and makes sure that the book is understandable to everyone, he even dedicates an entire chapter to freezers and religion, how brave of him to try and convince people in a complete illusion such as the latter. Moreover, effort was made to keep fact and opinion separated, and although some research mentioned is "late" due to the age of the book, there is no real impact in the content of the book itself. Ettinger throughout his ideas remains in a republic "cadre". Meaning he considers that the political system we know today will perdure, which is understandable since when the book was published, Americans and their "democratic" system were winning the cold war. Very good book, for optimists and pessimists.

" Immortality is not an end in itself, nor do we reach for it in blind and breathless panic. It is an opportunity for growth and development otherwise impossible, and it is consistent with our highest current values. "

[Anelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is a bit too optimistic for the future but it was indeed a very interesting read which touches upon every aspect of cryonics.

[Colin Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

As one of the first important manifestos of the cryonics movement, Prospect of Immortality is a must-read for those curious about suspended animation. The use of the word "immortality" is frequently cited as a misnomer by many cryonicists, citing that the goal of cryonics is only to save humans in their present state from death, not to grant them eternal life. However, it is clear that Ettinger was of the strain of cryonicists that inextricably links successful reanimation to the technology that will also prolong life indefinitely.

The book's over-optimism is clear from the start--while it does not exactly use immortality as a synonym for being cryogenically preserved, it ties so many other hypothetical technological successes related to "immortality" to the successful revival of "freezees" that it leaves little room for doubt. Thus, immortality is not only an appropriate representation of the spirit of what Ettinger proposed, but it is also a clear sign of its excessive idealization.

In simple terms: Ettinger gets off track at times, but the valuable points he does make throughout and the core principles within still make Prospect of Immortality well worth the read.

[Anca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Ettinger was the person who made human cryonics possible. This is a well-researched book by an author who understands the science supporting it, despite an apparent lack of self-trust in his ability to do so by being "merely" a high-school science teacher. Although people were naturally mummified by cold since ancient times, he argumented for the use of cryoprotectants to avoid freeze-induced cell injury. You can't be a cryonicist unless you're an optimist, and the tone of this book was upbeat in this regard. A great book, well ahead of its time!

[Maria Iraci]

I learned about immortality and think it !

[Mati Roy]

read it for free here: http://www.cryonics.org/images/upload...

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read back in the 70s

[Isabella Moffitt · Rating 2 out of 5]

probably should’ve read it in the 1960’s. Still interesting, just outdated.

[Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A++