Imagine a world where you don’t just get one shot at life, but a second chance in the distant future. Sounds like sci-fi, right? Well, for a growing number of people, it’s a gamble they’re willing to take—and it’s all happening inside an eerie ‘ambulance to the future.’
The Gamble for a Second Shot
Life is precious, and we’ve been conditioned to believe that we only get one go at it. But what if I told you that some folks are literally freezing their chances for a round two in the future? Welcome to the mind-boggling realm of cryonics.
At the Cryonics Institute (CI) in Michigan, the pursuit of life after death is very real—well, as real as preserved bodies stored in liquid nitrogen at a staggering -196°C can be. Here, the ‘patients’ range from average joes to beloved pets, all frozen in hopes of future revival.
Remarkably, this facility is like a mosaic of life stories. Chefs, students, secretaries, and professors all lie in wait, united by a shared dream of a second life.
British Pioneers of Preservation
Interestingly, it’s not just an American fantasy. Our cousins across the pond in Britain have embraced cryonics with open arms, forming the largest group of non-US participants. But if you’re picturing a sleek, sci-fi utopia, think again. It’s more like a waiting room for the future.
Take Rhea Ettinger, the site’s longest-running patient, frozen in time since 1977. Her family history reads like a cryonics legend—her son Robert, the so-called ‘father of cryonics,’ and his two wives, all preserved at the institute.
The Rationality of Cryonics
CI president Dennis Kowalski has no illusions about the uncertainty of it all. “Cryonics is like an ambulance ride to a future hospital that may or may not exist some day,” he explains, a sentiment that begs the question: if traditional burial or cremation gives you zero chances, why not roll the dice?
According to Kowalski, cryonics is the ultimate Pascal’s wager—the chance to win big with minimal loss. And for those betting on the future, it’s more accessible than you’d think.
Affordable Ambitions
Inside CI’s sprawling 7,000-square-foot facility, about 250 bodies and parts are methodically arranged in cryostats. Surprisingly, cryonics isn’t the exclusive province of the filthy rich. For $28,000 (£22,000), full-body preservation can be yours, often underwritten by life insurance for the average consumer.
“While we are the largest cryonics company in the world, our operations are far from futuristic fantasy,” Kowalski notes. “We’re a non-profit, with transparent records open to public scrutiny.” Indeed, practical solutions for eternal ambitions.
The Emotional Aspect
Walking among the cryostats, Kowalski describes a profound sense of responsibility and awe. This enterprise, born out of a genuine love for family and friends, represents a belief that life is the most precious gift we have—worth preserving at all costs.
So, could cryonics actually work? We may not know for decades or even centuries. But for those frozen souls patiently awaiting their second chance, the dream of future life remains an icy beacon of hope.
