Not to kick the dead horse of the last batch of material, but I think the issues are very much related.

For instance, if one buys into substance dualism than this quote from the material -- "It should be read by anyone interested in posting to sci.cryonics and by anyone who finds the prospect of certain death irritating" -- becomes ridiculous.

I find Socrate's argument against the rationality of the fear of death very compelling. The fact that some people would try so hard to flee from death confuses me. Death is the ultimate new experience. It is the experience that requires the most open-mindedness. What if our lives are just experiences to make us open-minded enough to accept death? It seems to me that life without death is really no life at all.

On the AP Literature test that I took in high school last year, there was an interesting essay about the effects immortality would have on humanity. Overpopulation aside, humanity would sag under the weight of its traditions. I like Christmas just as much as the next guy, but traditions really do discourage thought, paradigm shift, and open-mindedness.

I don't think physical immortality is a good thing and I am officially creeped out by cryonics.