Cryosphere Podcast Is Cryonics a Pseudoscience? - Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston
22 snips
May 31, 2025 
Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston, a research fellow at Monash University and author of *The Future Loves You*, dives into the controversial realm of cryonics. She discusses why she labels cryonics as 'pseudoscience' and explores its societal perceptions. The conversation includes insights on biostasis, memory retention in preserved brains, and complex ideas of identity and consciousness. Ariel also touches on public attitudes towards life extension and the emotional and ethical dilemmas surrounding digital copies of ourselves. It's a thought-provoking discussion on the future of life and death.
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Life's Value Powers Preservation Efforts
- Death is bad because life is good and most people retain a strong will to live even when terminally ill.
- Human desire to continue living supports efforts in life extension and preservation technologies.
Death Defined as Loss of Identity
- Death is the loss of personal identity defined by psychological attributes like memories and personality.
- This aligns with the information-theoretic definition of death as irreversible loss of identity information.
Stable Psychological Core Defines Self
- Personal identity is largely psychological properties such as memories and personality, which remain fairly stable across the lifespan.
- Despite changes, core psychological traits hold a person’s sense of self consistent over time.
